Los Angeles herald., 1906-08-05

Lusty, unrestrained the music of juvenile rev.
elry rang out overhead for bedtime in the
Thwaites household was one of madcap capers,
an hour that proved Nellie Thwaites to be wo-
man of discretion and patience, one completely
fitted for the manifold duties of motherhood As
last act in the days doings, when the little
maids were snugy tucked away in their cots, a
demand was always made for "Father," without
whose kiss and benediction they would have gone
to sleep ill-content, and while he waited for the
call Godfrey listened eagerly to the merry Choir
us, the strain of mental conflict stamped upon
his face, now and again relaxing in half-heart-
ed smile He remembered gladly the buoyancy
of youth. reioced in the knowledge that even to-
morrow after the blow had fallen, laughter would
still dance upon the lips of his children, their
hearts still be tuned to song.
But his wife! All there was the rub. To her
this meant the overthrow of her most radiant
hopes the denial of her dearest plans rank DESC
lation. He rose and crossed the floor to her
work basket, picked up the exquisite little frock
her clever fingers had begun to fashion, won
dered whether in spite of his resolution of work
this might be the last of her neeedlework dain
ties He began to round the room exam
ined his pictures one by one, recalled the fact
that in buying them he had thought only of her
nreferences wondered how life between bare
walls or walls hung with cheap prints, would
grind upon her Roved and looked and wondered
finding her linked with all that the room con
tanned.
Then without warming, a thought, hate
ful in all its proportions, flung itself on hlm
Whittier it came and why were trifes unworthy
Of inquiry; all that counted was the suggestion
that even after making allowance for all his
wfe's excellencies, she had failed him in his
greatest need, that his marriage was lamenta
BILE mistake.
He shrugged his shoulders angrly, vexed that
he should ever have permitted the shadow oi
doubt to fall between them But the thing
world not be shaken off so easily. Again it stared
him in the face, spoke to him IN hot, mslduous
whisperings, compelled his attention
At first it was hint of mild extravaganza, but
his soul rebeed against the charge, knowledge
and love threw themselves into the breach for
her defense Never since she came to him had
she been guilty OF that.
Still-suspicion had him now completely with
in the grasp of its repulsive toils-what had she
done with the money? He had been generous tc
fault in the matter of her allowance. She her
self had said So
One thing certain was that she had spent it
Every quarter day had found her ready for more
He was inclined to think he had been too lax
Il might be that he would have displayed more
perfect wisdom, shown greater kindness, had ht
Maid a little more attention to this side of theil
life, kept tighter hand on the purse-strings
And yet-and yet
''What is it, dearT
She was bending over him, her hand upon hi
shoulders her eyes seeking his, He looked VI
sharply, and for the first time quailed before hei
gaze He had doubted her.
''What is it, dear? The BARNS have called
and called, for their goodnight kiss and you hav,
never answered What is it?"
He looked up again, this time without finch
ing. She saw the agony in his eyes, and, stoop
ing, kissed him.
"I've seen for days" she said ''that something
was amiss, and I've waited for you to tell me
then come and let me share your trouble"
When he returned TO the room she made hin
sit in his own chair; then she dropped upon hel
knees by his side, took his hands in her own
and straightway drew the fangs Of torture from
his task