The bee., 1908-02-20
For RisSaks

People m Edhamville were rather
curious about Mrs. Courtney why
such pale. sad-eyed little woman
should spend 30 much time earning
and making gorgeous clothes which
she never wore IN The village was q
little beyond them 'Ai
All the year round Mrs. Courtney
worked IN the dry goods store as one
Of the salesladies. Although she was
very gentle and very gracious. there
waS always a faint reserve and dig.
atty about her through which no one
could penetrate. And always there was
the faraway shadow OF sadness IN her
eyes e4iff
And what beats me-" said old Mrs.
Poplam, the village gossip, didn't I
drop IN there Wednesday night after
praysr meeting. and wasn't she sew
ing away on the SWEETEST silk dress
ever aid eyes on. II looks mighty
queer Has any one around here ever
seen her wear themY'
There was hint OF frost IN the air
and the sun was dying in the west one
night late in October, when Mrs. Court
nsy hurried in at her gate. II had
been q hard day At the store. Yet,
with foveTish eagerness, without TAX
ing the time to prepare her usual plain
little supper, she set to work on some
filmy. FUZZY material which she hauled
down from the dresser drawer.
Because they mustn't be merely
nice clothes. DEAR" she whispered to
herself They must be lovely, extrav-
agant; the kind of clothes woman
who has everything would wear. II
they weren't the very finest you would
be sure to suspect. They must be
just as lovely as the ones l had be-
fore--before--"
Needless OF the costly stun she held
in her lap the woman buried her face
in 1t with a heartbreaking sob.
The next day, unconscious OF the
surprised stares of the villagers, she
took a train for the north. A big
trunk, bearing all the fine clothes,
went with her. After riding all day
she arrived at big city. Here she
fastened at once to a hotel When
she emerged from her room she was
transformed from the plain little wom-
an who had entered 1t to a blooming
beauty. A skillful maid. a hair
dresser and the sumptuous clothes
had made her again the woman she
used to be.
TO the penitentiary," was the quick
order she gave the hack driver.
The gray-haired warden was used to
admitting women visitors. He looked
approvingly after Mrs. Courtney. This
was the third year the pretty, we'll
dressed woman had come to see No.
2,O9s, in other words. James Courtney,
doing 20 years for forgery.
In the cold, grim little stone cham
Der Mrs. Courtney waited She could
scarcely breathe for the pounding OF
her heart. She closed both eyes and
held her hands 10 her breast 10 quiet
1t. Then she was conscious of a step
in the corridor. There was a low
cry:
''Maida!"
1t was his voice, the voice she had
hungered for through the barren, pitt
less year. 1t was all gone, the heart |
ache and the torture. And she was
here, safe once more in the encireling |
shelter of his dear arms. Through the !
dazed blur OF tumult in her brain her
hands stole to his face, tenderly |
caressing each sunken feature.
What? Bring tears and sighs to
this one hour OF the year? Leave only
IN added memory OF sorrow and pain
10 this man whose whole existence
was now but gray shadow?
So she laughed and was gay, though
her heart was breaking. 1t was all a
part with the lovely extravagant
clothes, the clothes he would remem-
Der with happiness when she was
gone.
And Jim, dear" she was saying, Il
nave such a fine. paying position.
lust enough light work to keep me
rom being idle and getting too lonely
Without you"
The brave voice broke for a mo-
nent, but when she raised her face
rom his shoulder she was smiling
through her tears.
Sorry, madam, but times up. said
he guard. respectfully.
The big gates changed behind them.
linn stood silent, straining his ears to
,atch the last silken rustic Of her
'kirt. When he turned his face again
oward the dark and gloomy corridor
10 held his head high and there was
IN unwonted look In his eyes.
Must Be Changed.