The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1908-08-05
A SHIFT OF
THE WIND.
By ELLIOT WALKER.
Copyrighted 1905, by Associated
Literary Press
BY ELLIOT WALKER.

The small desk from which Pauline
pushed away her chair seemed lv-
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 wonder 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 po-
lite man who wore brass buttons on
his vest. This man had surveyed her
surprise with an air of benevolent sus-
picion.
The emptied 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
Wouiu uul 30 10 tue Uduh. luefe WIS
only one thing to do.
Opening Il drawer, Pauline drew out
photograph, gazed at 1t, moaned
like hurt creature and finally, with
smarting eyes, began to tear the card.
Her fingers trembled. She could not
see for tears.
Il can't" she whispered, dropping
the picture. "He is only memory
now, but l can't destroy it. When
am Mrs. Winch -John-oh!'
Her maid was answering the door
bells clear peal. Pauline's 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.
Its Mr. Winch, ma'am," pushing
aside the portieres.
We'll, show him In here, thought
1t sounded like Mr. Winch. Is he
alone?"
NO. ma'am. Another gentleman il
with him"
"All right III see them" She
pushed the teltale books and papers
Ia heap and rose to draw a curtain
for softer light. Pauline was near.
ly twenty eight and showed It In the
sun.
The men came In smiling.
i've 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 her admiringly.
"Sit down and get acquainted, you
two," said Winch. 81 can't stay. III
get around again before noon and car
~ 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 a pang of
resentment. Carson should wait II 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 dissipated, Mr.
Winch thought. Pauline had lived on
iesacles Win sihaii aoupt Oh more CON-
lug ut oppor.uhe 'iiiies' Hoihe'hihs al
ways turned up.
Her u's'esaro Vi eohsequeh@e' 'oui''
ieau 10 put enc emu. Her servants h"u
talked. The tradesmen had rubbed
Indignant noses Winch heard rumors
ana chuckied good hatnrediy. fauiihe
was superior woman. he wah'ei
her ana 'neaht " get he' was
merely Question VI pa.iehee- i'aois
MS re"ara seenneu III ms manu- ae
lne negatives iacAeu ,ne true ring
AFTER MS eheery oepar.ure 'ne most,
ess 'aiheo prish,'s " "ichii"iii anu
soon hao the stranger reeouh,'hs p''s
OF MS HISTORY. sue iiheu ,he inah'
iheie was me s''eah VI s'"'i'''''s
III MS uirec.' elisp n'ahnei
Mr' w hcn eeiis ihe II pau s'o W
Wui'' eruopins AWAY vi ,na' 'o'e'o''''
eiaiil III Aia'ha' '"' '"'u'
les II pays " ""' ""e" o"e mas :"
ieelihe ABOUT It.
lou i'ean uouo' VI TUE "'suoi'
Vi ,ea'ins 'iirns
nat It, mere naNe ueei 'o'' u
u.s. ne eoh'iAoeu. se'i s'o ~, NV
years inaAes an ""iu' ''ne,en ne
isoia,ioh' Tue iousn me Tue u"'ne ~,
Oneself rarely Seeing ~ou'an anu
never eui'"ieu' ienheu ia"y' e'o"
coat oi iur' al rish.. nut We maui
my phe nave 'oS' i've years VI
rear ii'ihs. ~ sa'isne"'
arc az fortunate"
"rbats tho worst Of # II ia heart
breok,np To think Of some fellows.
gentlemen. YOU know-confident. eager
imnatient anxIous to strike Quick
luck and Ia On home with fyine col.
ors They can't wait They get to
ROAMING and baaven only knows
WHARF soma or them land One loses
all trace but now and them He
paused for a moment half smiling
pauI,,. AIard had crown male Her