The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-08-31

he doesn't need me. but at night It
Is far different"
yes" said Miss Miles, with
long-drawn sigh.
Margaret meanwhile had been open
ing the tobacco Jar and had put a
moistened sponge in the cover After
fondly Pumping up the cushion in an
easy chair she stood off and survey
ed that and the stand by its side,
with its array of smoking articles
and papers, and exclaimed:
There, Miss Miles, when papa set
ties down to that and has my sweet
mamma to play for him on the piano,
don't you think he ought to be hap
py?"
Miss Miles made no reply except
by variation of her smile, and i'm
stead Dora answered, we certainly
hope he Is happy. lie is very fond of
music, and play to him every night
he is able to sit up"
On hospitality intent Dora now
inquired, Would you like, Margaret.
to crack the ice and slice some lemon
so we can have tear"
"Yes, Mamma" she returned, and
went to the rear Of the house.
Miss Miles saw here her opportun-
ity to again approach the subject OF
Mr.. Hanson and his weakness, but
just as she had progressed far enough
to say, 81 hope, Mrs. Hanson, you un-
derstand that pity you, but you
must take into account that you
have q duty to your -" when she
was interrupted by Margaret enter
ing to say that tea was ready 10
serve.
The caller sat back dsappointedly
while Dora brought in tray on
which were invitingly set forth bur-
nished copper teapot, delicate china,
q cut glass bowl of cracked ice and
slices OF lemon.
Setting the tray on stand between
them, Dora addressed her guest with,
81 am not going to have your call
spoiles by talk Of Mr. Hansons con-
dition. Please instead drink your
tea and tell me something about your
self"
This appeal was irresistible, and
resulted in Dora being given q leng-
thy account of the wonderful intelli-
gence and affection of Miss Miles pet
pug dog, also receipt for making
shrimp wriggle and directions for
knitting a shell pattern tidy Then
the conversation Ragged, but only
for a moment or two, for with in
creased vigor Miss Miles started on
the failings of her neighbors and
| gave an account OF the numerous
clashes she had had with them on
account of their malice and stupidity
and how in nearly every instance the
victory had been hers.
Miss Miles now felt compelled ia
go Accordingly Dora left Margaret
in the room and accompanied the
visitor to the outer door, Miss Miles
sought to improve this opportunity
of seeing Dora alone and began e
feel in a pocket for some temperanc,
tracts. AS she was fumbling, Dorf
| WIN a NnOhtu NOlCts
Dear Miss Miles, / wish ! coulC
tell you how greatly | am touched by
the womanly sympathy that led yol
to seek me out. To be sure we have
not talked much about the subjec
we both were thinking, but never
theless II was q comfort TO know yor
were near and understood my feel
ings. My trials are nothing, o
course, to those of poor Jack, but ye
at times IL seems as though | shoulC
faint and falter in trying TO help hin
in his weakness and at the sam,
time betray as little as possible o
the horror to our darling Margaret
You have been the first one TO diyin
we needed sympathy and your frien,
ship will always be precious to n
all"
She was interrupted by, Mrs
Hanson, are you going to let mat
ters go along as they are with you
husband?"
why" exclaimed Dora with
somewhat puzzled look, What NOR
can / do than 10 devote my life L
poor Jack as long as 1 have him?
iinow only too well he is growing
weaker every day and that with aw
full swiftness he Is approaching com
plete collapse and perhaps death.
cannot think, though, of a thin
more that can be done, Terrible q
the truth is. have had 10 admit t
myself for months now that his Is a
absolutely hopeless case of creepin
paralysis. Arthur Brewster Garter