Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1907-11-29

most knocked down by hanson |
whose fares consisted OF fur clad wo- |
man aud a silk hated man, who swore
roundly as he saw the girls narrow. es-
cape Nelle's hand trembled with
nervousness and anger as she bought
her ticket. With her figure and face
she might be sitting in hanson some
day instead Of lodging one. But there
was Tom. Oh, dear! Why had she
been so hasty? 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 a 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 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 as the car stop
ped suddenly. Then he turned to Mel
lie, with an apologize smile:
IT don't mind the cro-'ding so much
usually, but these flowers are for my
wife, and, by CORY, I'm going to get
'em home safe II I have to fight for
emf
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-
tfous.
"Tomorrow's our wedding anniver-
sary. Amt 1t fine that 1t comes on
Thanksgiving day this year? I tell
you 1t makes me think how much more
than ordinary I have to be thankful
for. My wfe's just back from the
hospital, safe and well, thank God.
and we're celebrating double tomor-
row. 1 tell you, young woman, it's
fierce to live three weeks alone with
the woman you've loved thirty years
lying twixt life and death ten blocks
away I used to get so nervous some
nights I'd go and walk up and down
In front Of the hospital where 1 could
watch the light in her ward So l
thought we'd celebrate special this
year, and / bought her some flowers
real flowers out of real store, not
those bargain punches on the corner.
And l got maidenhair fern stead Of
the Boston kind. She always did love
maidenhair. And I 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!
I got it at good store, too, and I bet
that violet box they packed it In will
tickle her to death. Funny how some
women set store by little things like
that This is my station. l wonder II
l 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
buying flowers from a real store for
the woman he loved. The man on the
other side rose to leave the car, drop
ping his paper. Nellie picked it 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-
qulsite lunches every day in the year!
Nellie laid aside the paper and star
|
ed her station: then she went forth In
to the storm. with shudder. She
came back to grim realities. 1t was
cold and rainy-and five blocks to her
home. Suddenly by the glare Of pea
nut vender's oil light she saw a sturdy
form step forth from the gloom. A
strong arm drew her into the nearest
doorway. and a hearty voice said:
"Never dreamed l could make It.
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 1t at the throat with his own
bungllng fingers, smiling all the while
into her tired face.
This amt as good as a hanson,
Nell" he said as he tucked her arm
under his, but it'll have to do until
get my wages raised" and then he
added, with 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 a fine figure
, In a hanson, wouldn't II" she asked
merrlly, but with new note In her
voice that Tom might have noticed II
! he had not been fighting that northeast