The Somerset reporter., 1908-08-20

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The small desk from which Pauline
pushed away her chair seemed a liv-
ing menace to her distracted mind.
An hour before she had seated her
self with brave resolution to
straighten matters. and now, after the
worrying hour, heartsick and hopeless
over the result, the woman stared in de-
spairing wander. What should she do?
There lay her little bank book, the
pile of neatly arranged bills, her
check book. three letters from insistent
collection lawyers and. most direful
of all, writ of attachment placed in
her hands that very morning by a po-
lite man who wore brass buttons on
his vest. This man had surveyed her
surprise with an air OF benevolent sus-
picion.
The emptled pigeonholes appeared
to glare at her like eyes of reproach /;
also the red figures in her recently
balanced bank book, indicating sad
overdraft. The bank had dreadful
way of accounting for its errors and
invariably put her in the wrong. She
would not go to the bank. There was
only one thing to do.
Opening a drawer, Pauline drew out
a photograph, gazed at 1t, moaned
like a hurt creature and finally, with
smarting eyes, began to tear the card.
Her fingers trembled. She could not
see for tears.
81 can't" she whispered, dropping
the picture. HE Is only a memory
now, but can't destroy it. When
am Mrs. Winch-John-ohr'
Her maid was answering the door
BELLS clear peal. Pauines fingers
were quick with handkerchief and
hair. What on earth did Carson Winch
want at this time of day?
I'm In the library, Matte" she
called, bit amazed at her steadlness.
"It's Mr. Winch. maam." pushing
aside the portieres.
"Well show him In here. thought
1t sounded like Mr.. Winch. Is he
alone"
mo, ma'am. Another gentleman is
with him"
"All right. I'll see them" She
pushed the telltale books and papers
In a heap and rose to draw a curtain
for a softer light. Pauline was near.
ly twenty-eight and showed 1t In the
sun.
The men came in smiling
NlIalyhopo tn
you, Miss Allard." said Mr.. Winch.
you've heard me speak of him."
"Oh, yes; I'm very glad to meet Mr..
Wickham." Paullne's- hand went out
cordially to grasp the clutch Of a
bronzed, bearded, thick set man, who
regarded her admiringly.
"Sit down and get acquainted, you
two" said Winch. 81 can't stay III
get around again before noon and car
ry him Off, Pauline"
There was that In his tone sugges-
tive Of proprietorship and familiarity
which grated on Pauline's nerves. 1t
was a new note, something more than
usual, and the woman felt pang of
resentment Carson should wait lit
tie longer to pay for that.
Pauline had been quite gay all win
ter and spring. The money left by her
aunt must be about disslpated, Mr..
Winch thought. Pauline had lived on
legacies with small doubt OF more com
ing at opportune times Something al
ways turned up.
- Of nntt1d
lead to but one end. Her servants had
talked. The tradesmen had rubbed
indignant noses Winch heard rumors
and chuckled good naturedly Pauline
was a superior woman. He wanted
her and meant to get her, 1t was
merely n question of patience. Lately
his reward seemed In his hand. Pau
lines negatives lacked the true ring.
After his CHEEKY departure the host
ess talked brightly to Wickham and
soon had the stranger recountlng bits
of his history She liked the man.
There was fine streak of simplicity
In his direct, crisp manner.
"Mr. Winch tells me 1t paid you to
wait. grubbing away on that lonesome
claim in Alaska" she said.
Eyes, it pays to wait when one has a
feeling about 1t"
"You mean a doubt OF the wisdom
of leaving thing?"
That's it. There have been lots of
u.s." he continued. 81. tell you FIVE
years makes an awful difference. The
isolation, the rough life, the doing for
oneself, rarely seeing woman and
never a cultured, refined lady, grow
coat of fur, all right. But I've made
my pile If l have lost FIVE years of
real living. I'm satisfied"
Surely" said the woman mot all
n re az fortunate"