Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-11-27
70 the subway entrance she was al.

she might lie sitting I'm hanson some
day instead OF lodging one. But there
was Tom. oh, dear. Why had she
been SO hastyf She had been warned
plenty times enough about marrying
in haste and repenting at leisure. To
be sure, she had known Tom six years
A man stepped on her foot In the
crowded train, and she drew I'm the
injured member with scowl that was
scant reward for the mans apology.
1t was dreadful to have to ride twice
a day in this mob
The man seated next to her drew
away from her. and she turned to see
that he was endeavoring 20 protect a
tissue paper covered parcel from the
crush of swaying strap hangers IN
/ front of him.
Say, look out. will your he said
sharply TO the long limbed youth who
threatened the parcel as the car stop
ped suddenly. Then he turned to Mel
lie, with an apologize smile:
II don't mind the crowding so much
usually, but these flowers are for my
wife. and, by CORY, I'm going to get
'em home safe If have to fight for
'emw
Nellie looked at him in surprise. His
hands were work worn, his clothes
clean, but we'll worn, his tie distinctly
rusty. But his happiness was infec-
! tious.
"Tomorrow's our wedding anniver-
sary. Amt it fine that II comes on
Thanksgiving day this year? | tell
/ you II makes me think how much more
than ordinary l have TO be thankful
for My wife's Just back from the
hospital. safe and well, thank God.
and were celebrating double tomor-
row. tell you, young woman, It's
fierce to live three weeks alone with
the woman you've loved thirty years
/ lying twlxt life and death ten blocks
away. | used TO get so nervous some
nights I'd go and walk up and down
In front of the hospital where | could
watch the light In her ward. So |
thought we'd celebrate special this
year, and bought her some flowers
real flowers out of real store, not
those bargain lunches on the corner.
And | got maidenhair fern stead OF
the Boston kind. She always did love
maidenhair. And got her a new dish.
too-one of those bonbon dishes wo-
men are crazy about It's glass with
gold grapes on It. Just as tiny and fine.
got it at good store, too. and l bet
that violet box they packed II In will
tickle her to death. Funny how some
women set store by little things like
that This is my station. wonder II
can get through without breaking
| the stems"
! Nellie looked after him with perplex-
ed eyes Thirty years-and this man
! with the rusty tie. the oft cleaned suit
and the obviously slender purse was
I buying flowers from real store for
the woman he loved. The man on the
other side rose to leave the car. drop
ping his paper. Nellie picked II up.
Somehow she did not want TO think
Big black headlines caught her eye.
Countess - Sues Her Husband
For Divorce. Cruelty Beaten. Her
Pride Rebels"
And the countess had a lovely fig
ure and a charming face and ate ex-
quisite lunches every day In the year!
Nellie laid aside the paper and star
ed straight ahead until the guard call
ed her station; then she went forth in
to the storm. with shudder. She
came back to grim realities II was
cold and ralny--and FIVE blocks to her
home. Suddenly by the glare OF pea
| lf.,lt oAo a
form step forth from the gloom. A
strong arm drew her into the nearest
doorway. and a hearty voice said:
Never dreamed | could make II.
Had to run from the shop TO your
house and then here, but something
Just told me YOU wouldn't have your
raincoat or rubbers."
Tom was putting on her rubbers.
Then he held the raincoat for her. fas-
tened It at the throat with his own
bungling fingers smiling all the while
into her tired face.
This amt as good as hanson.
Nell he said as be tucked her arm
under his. but it'll have to do until
get my wages raised" and then he
added. with a laugh. Raised quite con
siderable too
Nell clutched his arm tightly. How
big and comforting he was and how
much warmer she felt as he gripped
the swaying umbrella and asked her II
she was all right.
"why. you silly. I'd cut fine figure
In hanson. wouldn't r. she asked
merrily. but with a new note In her
voice that Tom might have noticed II
he had not been fighting that northeast
wind "And. oh. Tom. there was the
funniest little man sitting next TO me
tonight on the train. He was having
a special Thanksgiving celebration be
cause his wife was out ~ the hospital.
%si ~ ~ istE- Ta$ n 10 wss
cnfy. Fry uun StuI IN 1--we.
"Sure" said Tom placidly. "I'll be
still loving you when I'm fifty too"
And then the friendly blackness OF
the quiet street swallowed them both.
and Nellie deliberately cuddled her
tired head against Toms big. broad
shoulder