The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-11-03


out his arms to his wife. and with one awkward
foot kicked behind him at AIS shins to make Al
clear out and leave them. oh, my poor Mena!
cried Mr.. Hoople thickly.
humble answered him; Mrs. Hoope had turn
ed over with her face to the wall, and again drawn
the around her The humble continued;
yes yes dear" answered Mr.. Hoople softly;
yes sleep will be good for you after such a
shock You sleep just as long as you like now.
Me nd AIll get up a little something to eat. nd
you needn't bother. Come on, AL
face to the ceiling and seemed deep in heavy
thought while later. the sound OF AIS drawi,
elated and confident. awoke her from her reverie
But the dream of little moment II was OF
Coney Island that same remembrance OF dancing
with her father.
now amt your asked Al. in his drawl.
Mr.. Hooples answer. low and more discreet, was
inaudible. but she guessed it from AIS next words
Said AL:
then. They amt no use in my keeping on at col
lege now-and me md her don't need to wait so
long, nuther, before get married"
The second Mrs. Hoople. her eyes on the ceiling
recalled the Tuesday Thursday. and Saturday girl;
doubtless AL referred to her Satisfied that this
the second Mrs Hoople rolled over, ana
again buried her head in her clothes But there
is little rest for the weary Mr. Hoopie came mex.
cup of coffee and an egg?"
His wife mumbled back at him that she cared
for neither coffee or an egg. Il want to be left
"Just as you like. dear" murmured Mr. Hoople
softly and withdrew. Later, on his way out with
AL Mr.. Hoople stopped the door again.
Say. Mena. how'd it do was just to step in
them lawyer people," he suggested Il en-
do it easy. long about noon
Mrs. Hoople turned over fretfully. Cant you
stop bothering me? You keep away from those
lawyers They wrote particular they wanted to
me personally.
Yes, yes; just as you say. dear" placated Mr.
Hoople and few minutes later the door closed
behind father and
AS their footballs beat tattoo retreat down the
stairway. the second Mrs. Hoope sat upright,
sound like croak escaping her. She arose slow
ly, each foot after her habit. touching the moor
DOMINIC
per too short in front and too long behind. she
later she returned tray in her hand. and on the
tray egg, pot of coffee. two slices OF toast
bed and carefully climbed in afterwards. Then.
the tray her lap the second Mrs Hoopie. for
the first time in the history OF either Mrs. Hoopie'
The hours passed. One by one they ned away.
AS Mr.. Hoople and AL set foot to the landing OF
The top-noor fiat, the clocks struck-not half-past
five but six. Together. father and SON had gone
Hoople long had had his eye-hence the break in
their daily routine In Mr.. Hoople's hand was
Hoepie had acquired at a discount. the florist skep-
teal of their ability to last another day But In
tribute I known in Mr. Hoople's home since the de-
mise of the first Mrs Hoople. She had died OF
chronic anaemia, and the shoe store had sent
wreath. Mr.. Hoople. inserting his doorkey, COM
posed his features to smile.
"Mena, my dear!" he called, and stepped inside
the fiat.
There was no answer. Mr. Hoople's smile slight
ly altered itself to frown. Very disappointing.
Perhaps she was in the kitchen, though. AL closed
the door, and struck match. "Mena!" called
Mr.. Hoope loudly. and Mena answered. No
come. No slippers warming before the FIRE. Six
o'clock and past and no dinner piping hot Mr.
Hoople stalked back to the kitchen and found 1t
empty, its fire gray and cold.
Queer, Amt it," muttered Mr.. Hoople to Al:
and clean forgot the dinner?''
Al suggested solution. ''Mebbe them lawyers
kept her late. Don't let's make kick for this
once"
Mr.. Hoople breathed harshly. a deep transpira-
tion. why. of course mott" he exclaimed in re-
lief Say, Al. let's md you start in on supper
I'll make a fire md you en- peel the potatoes.
In that brief moment. his air almost JoviaI.
He still chung to the slightly withered which
about to explode. Crowding them into water
pitcher, he started for the front room. striking a
match on his trousers to guide him through the
tunnel of the hall. moment later AL heard .
loud and agitated cry.
Hoople, collapsed on chair His pale respectable
whiskers dropped Imply, he still chung to the
unsafe angle. quietly pouring its water
down Mr. Hoople,s legs In his face appeared
bed. still unmade. lay frouzy disorder. the draw
ers of the bureau were pulled out and disarranged
pointed tragically to the pincushion-
Look he moaned hoarsely.
large sheet of paper was pinned to the cushion.
and top lay two-dolar bill. Something in
the combination cried a loud attention. and Mr.
Hoople's whiskers quivered ptiably when he spoke
md to think-nd to think of all the good homo
I've give her. now"
Al lurched TO the bureau and Snatched up fne
sheet of paper. Al read the written words and
his face We'd in that moment with the pasty white
of his closely shaven neck
II pin this to the pincushion like I read once
in romance book. I've seen those lawyers. and
they say it's There's eleven thousand, all right,
and got little in advance. They're going to pay
the rest when I'm ready. You'll find two dollars
with this and though I amt good at sums, fg-
out you won't be losing anything IL leave you
that I've tried to subtract fourteen Of hard
labor from the fourteen years board and lodging
you've Dragged about giving me. and don't seem
to get any results. Maybe you still owe me some
thing, but let it 60 I'm willing. I've gone away
from here and taken my things. Maybe I'll go to
Coney, but you needn't look for me. I'm never.
never coming back. The Exchange owes me q
dollar seventynine. It's yours, and don't regret
the money. Good-by."
Al tossed the letter the floor and pocketed
the two-do1lar bill.
Didn't always tell she was no good" he
drawled through his nose.