The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-11-28

would happen ilf her own nome. rom
and his mother would come to dinner,
and in the dusk Tom would take his
mother to their tiny fiat five blocks
away aud then come back for two
hour visit with her. Tom always went
home early because he had to be at
the shop every morning at 7:30.
The theater aud afterward a supper
Just like this luncheon The tiny parlor
at home turned dingy and dull by com
parlson When she and Tom went TO
the theater, which was rarely enough,
they sat in the upper gallery and d.
yided their attention between the
boxes and the stage, the play and the
wonderfully gowned women on the
door below.
And what was that Jennie Mills had
said? With her figure she might wear
such gowns, eat such luncheons every
day-be the real thing,
She worked during the afternoon like
girl in a daze. Customers found
fault with her, and the hoorwalker
echoed their complaints. She was
tired and irritable when she started
for home. Il was raining, a cold. wind
driven northeastern, and She had no
umbrella. As she ran across the street
TO the subway entrance she was al
most knocked down by hanson
whose fares consisted Of fur clad wo-
man and silk hated man, who swore
roundly as he saw the girls narrow es-
cape Nellie's hand tembled with
nervousness and anger as she bought
her ticket With her figure and face
she might be sitting in a hanson some
day instead OF dolging one. But there
was Tom. oh, dear. Why had she
been so hasty2 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 in the
injured member with scowl that was
scant reward for the mans apology
1t was dreadful 10 have to ride twice
a day In this mob
The man seated next to her drew
away from her. and she tlrned TO see
that he was endeavoring TO 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 rs the car stop
ped suddenly. Then he turned TO Mel
lie with an apologize smile
81 don't mind the crowding 50 much
usually. but these flowers are for my
wife and, by CORY. I'm going 10 get
'em home safe if ! have to fight for
EN-"
Nellie looked at him in surprise. His
hands were work worn. his clothes
clean. but well worn. his tie distinctly
rusty. But his happiness was infec-
tlous.
"Tomorr0ws our wedding anniver-
sary. Amt 1t fine that 1t comes on
Thanksgiving day this year? tell
you IL makes me think how much more
than ordinary | have to be thankful
for My wife's just back from the
hospital. safe and well, thank God,
and were celebrating double tomor-
row. tel you. young woman, it's
fierce to live three weeks alone with
the woman you've loved thirty years
lylng twixt life and death ten blocks
away. | used to gel so nervous some
nights I'd 20 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 new dish.
too-one Of those bOnbon dishes wo
men are crazy about. It's glass with
gold grapes on II. just as tiny and fine!
I got it at a good store, too, and | bet
that violet box they packed IT in viii
tickle her to death Funny how some
women set store by little things Ike
that. This is my station. l wonder II
I 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
buviug flowers from real store for
the woman be loved. The man on the
other side rose to leave the car. drop
ping his paper Nellie picked 1t 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 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
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