The Washington herald., 1908-07-24
Styles perfectly good for early fall wear.
BAD BEGINNINGS.
BY BRIAN CAHILL.

BY BRIAN
Eddowes scowled at the clock as he let
himself into the o4fice. A freight train
on the branch line over which he com
muted 10 town had blocked the tracks
and he had been forced 20 tramp two
miles across country 70 reach the trolley
arriving after a series OF transfers. he
found Benton's card on the floor beneath
the letter drop. with the penciled legend
that he was going out OF town
The deal Eddowes had been working on
would not hold out Until BeaJon's return,
and re Eritted his teeth as he thought Of
al the commission OF the transaction
would have meant 70 him
Il would have made up the sum needed
20 complete the purchase OF the little
house he wanted 10 oEer Edna COnant
as a home. and Il might mean a year
now before another such brilliant oppor-
tuniry would offer
He glanced out Of the window through
the Hight. driving rain. az the sodden
vista OF wet roof-tops and srnoke-stained
buildings. and thought how well the
weather matched his own feelings For
months he had been working 70 close the
real estate transaction Benton was 70
be az the Office az 70 10 put the final
details through. and now he had sailed
1Or Europe and would not be back for
several months. II was the final happen
inE OF chain Of accidents that had be
gun with his stubbing his toe as lie got
out of bed. followed by the loss Of his
last collar button under the bu-eau. the
burning OF half his breakfast by a green
servant gl-l. and then the wreck and It's
attendant discomforts-
He turned from the window with q
shiver.
This IS fine beginning for the week, -
he said 20 himself II Il keeps up this
way until Saturday. I shall land IN the
lunatic asylum
BE took his seat before the desk and
busted himself with the papers = The
Benton matter. -Four signatures and the
exchange Of check would have made
. the set complete. and would have brought
him q commission OF $1,000. Everything
had been arranged 10 expedite matters
Benton had waited half al hour n the
hall until he had Just time 70 make the
steamer upon which he was 20 san
EddOwes carefully clipped the papers 70
a GIe board and caught ID his umbrella
There was no chance OF any other caller
his breakfast and the tramp across coun-
try had put az edge on his appetite.
The streets were filed with the usual
EUrryiCg IhrOng, and. raising his I'M
b7ella. he fell n with the procession OF
moist and stezuing Tncrtals- The wind
had fresheEed and the rain was driving 8
Fl sheets now At the corner BY the trust
company building the air currents were
unusually strong. and just as he passed
~n- -
her umbrella as Il turned inside out.
while the torn silk fiuttered from the bent
ribs. Eddoves covered the dainty hat
with his own umbrella and steeTed her 70
the protection OF the entrance
Let it drop IN the gutter he said
there IS no hope Of saving any part OF
It
Harry gasped the girl Where cid
you come from?'
Prom the Office he laughed What
brings you downtown. Edna
I was 10 meet father for lunch she
explained He was called 70 an inpor-
tant conference, and left word for ne to
go 10 lunch alone. I was going home.
am so perfectly miserable Everything
has gone wrong to-day Il has been
e chapter OF accidents ever since rose -
Let's be miserable together" he sug-
Eested- Come and have some lunch,
and Wen tell each other our troubles
he led the way 10 a little place where
the service was excellent and the prices
moderate. Here. at a little table IN the
corner. she detailed her chapter OF ecci-
dents, while he. in turn gave a whiusi-
cal account OF his own Tnishaps.
We are companions in misery" he
said. with a laugh. I really believe that
# has done me good tc pour ny tale Of
woe into sympathetic ears
7 know that It has done ne good to
share my burden she said. with q look
that made Eddowes' heart beat the fast
er. I an sorry about that deal you
lost
1T meant a great deal TO me-" he said.
uournfUlly- 7 was going to purchase the
Gordon place"
For investment she asked. though
she knew well enough she had said once
when she had visited his sister how much
she would enjoy place Ike that for her
home.
An investment in happiness" he said.
u-eaningly- I suppose that the place viii
be sold long before I am able TO get an
other deal Ike this through"
rs your happiness entirely dependent
upon that one placer" she asked. 'Is hap
piness a matter OF real estateT-'
Real estate contributes materially 10
happiness" he said with an uneasy
laugh 7 should not want to offer an
unworthy home to the woman 7 want 10
marry.
Home Is what you make it." she re-
minded him. There is Jessie Bruce.
They only have four rooms IN an apart
ment house. but they are perfectly harny
and content. George had the courage to
ask Jessie as soon as he was certain that
he could make both ends meet IN q
small way. He did not wait to build q