The Democratic advocate., 1908-07-31
A SHIFT OF
THE WIND.
Nv ELLIOT WALKER.
convrighted, 1908, by Associated
oop' Literary Press.


mod away her chair seemed a liv-
pusIce .aonoce to her distracted mind.
ls - bour before she had seated her,
"a with brave resolution to
sen a;rhten matters, and now, after the
nsrying SUI hour, heartsick and hopeless
WV WV The result, the woman stared in de-
Ovsi sirino wonder. What should she do?
spT Thare Law her little bank book, the
~ of neatly arranged bills, her
lpsock pna hook, three letters from insistent
1uoo+ion lawyers and, most direful
on q writ of attachment placed in
" hands that very morning by a po-
~. ~ man who wore brass buttons on
~. ~, rnst This man had surveyed her
nl0 ,riso with an air of benevolent sus-
rho emptied pigeonholes appeared
a,oro Of her like eyes of reproach;
01so the red figures in her recently
s"Iorcpd s,Io bank book, indicating a sad
0~ordraft The bank had dreadful
Wv of accounting for it's errors and
,nroriably put her in the wrong. She
would not 90 to the bank. There was
only one thing to do
0pening a drawer, Pauline drew out
photograph, gazed at it, moaned
like a hurt creature and finally, with
rmarting eyes, began to tear the card.
uor fingers trembled. She could not
see for tears.
81 can't" she whispered, dropping
.bo nicture. "He is only memory
now but can't destroy it. When |
am Mrs. Winch-John-oh!'
uor maid was answering the door
hollis clear peal. Pauline's fingers
wore quick with handkerchief and
hair What on earth did Carson Winch
want at this time of day?
"Im in the library, Mattie," she
called a bit amazed at her steadiness,
"Its Mr.. Winch, ma'am," pushing
aside the pOrtieres.
oWeIl show him in here. Thought
Il sounded like Mr.. Winch. Is he
alone?"
"No, maam. Another gentleman is
with him."
"Al right. I'll see them" She
Uushed the telltale books and papers
IN heap and rose to draw curtain
for softer light. Pauline was near.
" twenty-elght and showed it in the
sun.
The men came in smiling.
1--WE brought Dean Wickham to see
YOU, Miss Allard," said Mr.. Winch.
you've heard me speak of him.
"Oh yes; I'm very glad to meet Mr..
Wickham." Pauline's hand went out
cordially to grasp the clutch of a
bronzed, bearded, thick set man, who
regarded fec admiringly.
"Sit down and get acquainted, you
two" said Winch. II can't stay. I'll
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 q pang of
resentment. Carson should wait lit
tie longer to pay for that.
Pauline had been quite gay all Will
ter and spring The money left by her
aunt must be about dissipated, Mr.,
Winch thought Pauline had lived on
legacies with small doubt OF more com
ing al OppGrtune times. Something al
ways turned up.
Her disregard of consequences could
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 question of patience. Lately
bis 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 recounting bits
Of his history. She liked the man.
There was fine streak of simplicity
IN his direct, crisp manner.
MIR. Winch tells me it paid you to
Walt grubbing away on that lonesome
claim in Alaska" she said.
Yes, it pays to wait when one has Il
feeling about it."
You mean a doubt of the wisdom
ol leaving thing?"
Ihat's it. There have been lots of
U.s. he continued. 81 tell you five
years makes an awful difference. The
lSolatlon, the rough life, the doing for
VHeSell, rarely seeing woman and
ue'er cultured, refined lady, grow a
lOaI OF fur, all right. But I've made
my Pile if l have lost five years OF
teal living. I'm satisfied"
surely" said the woman. mot ali
are as fortunate"
mats the worst of it. 1t is heart
"'eaklhg to think of some fellows,
sen'Aelhen, you know-confident, eager
INPATIENT anxious to strike quick
.eA ana to go home with flying col
w. They can't wait. They get to
vaining' ms and heaven only knows
on mere some of them land. One loses
trace but now and them He
FIaSeu Tor a moment, half smiling.
oan l"uilne Allard had grown pale. Her
fai" ', dld not notice the droop Of the
, %, mead. He went on speaking.
W. 'e felt mighty sorry for one chap
So,, were real friendly. He couldn't
. 4., took over his little claim for
W. u'ae 1t was next to mine. Bless
NIL proved the richest dirt of all
vos | got to working it deep. He
NO.. uait on surface finds. And off
a. W.. my hopeful acquaintance in spite
enueaties. Funnyv'