The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-11-10

ralSed and lowered nimSel1 on MS Toes,
backing toward the piano. Go IL,
you're gettin' there he shouted.
Again she hesitated, to be helped on
by Sagebrush with the assurance:
She'll do it-ire away-it's "a
A."
Go on"
Sagebrush In his enthusiasm backed
too far into the blanket screen. Ills
spurs became entangled. To save him
self from n fall, he threw out his hand
behind him. They struck the polished
cover of the instrument, slid off, and
Sagebrush sat down on the keys with
an unmistakable crash.
"A piano!" cried Echo e~xultantly.
WHO lone that?" demanded Show
Low angrily.
Parenthesis, from his place on the
floor. looked at the mischief-maker in
disgust. "Sagebrush!' he shouted.
"Givin' the hull thing away" snarie1
Fresno.
Show Low could contain himself no
longer. Going up to Sagebrush, he
shook his first in his face. saying:
You're the limit. You ought to be
herdin' sheep"
The victim of the accident humbly
replied: II couldn't help It,"
Mrs. Allen smoothed out the differ
ences by declaring: whats the differ
ence, she wouldn't have guessed, not
in a million -years-stand away and Let
her see It,"
Fresno swept them all aside with the
blanket.
"oh, isn't 1t beautiful, beautiful
cried Echo.
"Who-what-whereV she STAN
mered, glancing from one to the other,
her eyes finally resting on Jack.
mot guilty" he cried. you'll have
to thank the boys for this"
With happy tears yelling up in he
eyes, Echo said: II do thank them, ]
dol dol can't tell how delighted I
am. l can't say how much this means
to mech, I thank you'll say 1t once,
but I feel 1t a thousand times" She
seized each of the boys by the hand
and shook 1t heartily.
"Would you like to have another Sc
l%ection?" asked Fresno, relieving the
tension of the situation.
moi" shouted the punchers unani-
mously. Fresno looked very much
crestfallen. since he considered that he
had made a deep impression by his
first effort.
Mrs. Payson's goin' to hit us Out a
tune announced Sagebrush.
Echo seated herself at the piano.
Jack leaned against the instrument,
gazing fondly into her eyes. as she
raised her face radiant with happi-
ness. Allen had taken possession of
the best rocking chair. Mrs. Allen sat
at the table. and the boys ranged them
selves about the room. Their faces re-
flected qualification. They watched
Echo expectantly.
Echo played the opening bars Of THE
Old Folks at Home" Before she san
Fresno, holding up his right index
finger, remarked to no one in particu-
lar: II washed that finger"
The singing deeply affected her little
audience. Echo had a sweet, natural
voice. She threw her whole SOU into
the old ballad. She was SO happy she
felt like singing. not lively airs, but
songs about home. Her new home had
become so dear to her at that moment.
Mrs. Allen as usual began to cry.
Polly soon followed her example. There
were tears even in the eyes of some of
the punchers, although they blinked
vigorously to keep them back.
When she repeated the chorus, Sage
brush said to Fresno: "Ain't that
great"
That worthy, however, with the jeal-
ousy of an artist, and to hide his own
deeply moved sensibilities, replied:
"That amt SO much"
Jack had become completely absorbed
in the music. He and Echo were OBJ
~livious to surroundings. His arm had
slipped about his wife's waist, and she
gazed fondly into his face. Sagebrush
was the first to notice their attitude.
On his calling the attention of the boys
to their happiness. these quietly tip
toed from the Polly signalled to
Mrs. Allen, and followed the boys.
Josephine awoke Jim as IL from a
dream and lead him slowly out, leav-
ing the young couple in an earthly
paradise of married love.
When Echo finished, she turned In
surprise to find themselves alone.
what it as bad as that?" she naively
asked Jack.
"What?"
why. they've all left us"
Jack laughed softly. 80 they have
l forgot they were here" he said, look
ingly fondly down at his wife.
Echo began to play quietly another
ballad. 1--WE always wanted a piano.
she said.
you'd found one here waiting, II I'd
only known it," he chided.
you've given me so much already,
she murmured. "I've been a big ex-
pense to you"
Jack again slipped his arm about her
waist and kissed her. There amt any
limit on my love-" he declared. II
want you to be happy"
Don't you think I am" laughed
Echo. I'm the happiest woman on
earth. Jack, and it's all you. I want to
he more than a wife to you. | want to
be a helpmate-but you won't let me-"
a wistful expression crept over
Echo's countenance.
who says so?" he demanded play
fully, as If he would punish any man
who dared make such an accusations.
Echo turned on the stool and took his
hand. II know t" she said, with en-
phasis. you've been worried about
something for days and ~days-don't tell
me you haven't"
Jack opened his lips as If to contra
dict her. I'VE women learn to look be-
meath the surface; what is 1t, Jack?'
she continued.
Jack loosened his wife's handclasp
and ak over to the table.
"Nothing-what should / nave TO