The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1908-10-23

10 near, 1t yet seemed as II a iSng
distance separated them. He was hap.
py-yes, certainly-but not as happy as
he had expected to be.
He looked at the few houses up and
down the street, and seeing no one in
sight he took Evelina's hand, which lay
In her Zap, and put it to his lips.
Eyelina gave his hand slight an.
swering pressure, and smiled at him.
Il must go in and get ready the tea,
she said.
Jim sat for awhile after she left him
and decided that he was very happy
after all. A man must not expect to
have the whole earth.
Summer and autumn passed. Jim
was a carpenter, and in winter there
were days when he could not work at
his trade. This spare time he spent in
making many little conveniences for
Evelina, and in repairs about the house,
He had already painted the outside. In
the long evenings he and Evelina stud.
led and read together.
When spring came, Evelina was al
ways standing at the door or at the
window when Jim came home at night,
and smiled when he waved his hand.
When he came In he would draw her
to him very gently. and kiss her once,
on the cheek. He was very careful of
her. She still seemed person set
apart, to be treated reverently.
Jim loved her more than ever, but It
made him sorrowful to think how far
above him she was. Sometimes he
questioned whether he had not done
her great wrong in persuading her to
marry him.
Summer came again. Jim had been
married nearly year and half, and
dull sense of misery had taken pos
session of him. He was convinced that
Evelina had never really cared for him.
She seemed to dwell serene in land of
dreams where he was not allowed to
enter, and he was very lonely.
Brooding over his troubles one day,
Jim made a misstep and fell from a
high scaffolding
Evelina sat by Jim's bedside. 1t was
evening now. Kindly disposed neigh
bors and friends had gone, and the two
children were sleeping.
Evelina had no inclination to sleep.
The clock slowly licked away the hours.
Twice she gave Jim the opiate, as she
had been directed then resumed her
seat.
When at last Jim awoke the sun had
long since risen, and Evelina was stand
ing over him. There were tears in her
eyes and her lips trembled.
Jim thought he understood.
'Don't feel bad, Evelina," he said
weakly. at is all right l wasn't the
one for you. You will be better off
without me, and happier
"You are not going to die, Jim. You
will be out in few days, the doctor
says"
'SHhen why"
But Evelina, falling to her knees,
threw her arm about his neck, and
pressing her face hard against his, be-
gan to sob bitterly.
Jim, with much pain, lifted his free
hand and laid it caressingly on her
hair.
Don't, little wife" he pleaded.
"I've been so blind" she said at last,
controlling her sobs and lifting her head
so that she could see his face-"so
blind and foolish and heartless. I'm
going to confess everything, Jim.
married you to save your soul and to
improve you-or at least deceived my
self into thinking that was the reason.
IL looked down on you-you, who
have always been so good and true and
thoughtful and unselfish, and who were
miles and miles above me! And /
thought l didn't care very much for
you, but-oh, Jim, If you had died |
should never, never have been happy
again!"
Jim looked at her, and the words he
could not say said themselves through
his shining eyes.-Pennsylvania Grit.