The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1907-11-27

away from her. and she turned to see
that he was endeavoring to protect
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 llmbed youth who
threatened the parcel as the ear stop
ped suddenly. Then he turned to Mel
lie, with an apologize smile
II don't mind the crowdlng 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
'em.'
Nellie looked ut 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 1t fine that Ii comes on
Thanksgiving day this year? | tell
you it makes me think how much more
for. My wifes Just back from the
hospital. safe and well, thank God,
and we're 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 twixt 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 l 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 l got maldenhair fern stead of
the Boston kind She always did love
maidenhair. And got her n new dish,
too-one of those bonhon dishes wo-
men are crazy about. It's glass with
gold grapes on 1t, just as tiny and fine!
l got It at n good store. too, and bet
that violet box they packed 1t 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
buying flowers from real store for
the woman he loved. The man on the
other side rose TO leave the ear. 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 n lovely fig
ure and charming face and ate ex-
quisltc lunches every day in the year!
Nellie laid aside the paper and star
ed straight ahead until the guard call
ed her sation; then she went forth In
to the storm, with n shudder She
came back TO grim realities Vt was
cold and ralny-and five blocks TO her
home. Suddenly by the glare of pea
nut vender's oil light she saw n sturdy
form step forth from the gloom. A
strong arm drew her into the nearest
y
"Nevcr dreamed | could make 1t.
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
bunglIng fingers, smiling all the while
into her tired face
This amt as good as n 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 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 n fine figure
I'm a hanson. wouldn't II" she asked
merrily, but with 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 of the hospital.
And he was fifty, Tom, If he was a
day. Fifty and still in love"
"Sure," said Tom placidly. an be
still loving you when I'm fifty too"
And then the friendly baekness Of
the quiet street swallowed them both,
and Nellie deliberately cuddled her
tired head against Toms big. broad
shoulder