Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1909-02-05
BY MARY F. HURLEY.

car, the hours ride Ahead OF her Ano
the impossibility to read either mag
azins or newspaper caused Edith
Randall to realize all the sadness Of
her mission.
Only the day before the lawyer
had notified her that her husband
had said that everything was at her
disposal and that she was at liberty
to 90 to their old home and choose
the, things she wished to have; that
he wanted her to have the custody
OF little Donald and that II she de-
sired her freedom he would not stand
In her way. The letter weighed
heavily on her mind and she had
spent a most uncomfortable, sleep
less night. How queer 1t seemed that
she and Jim had to communicate
with each other through a third par
ty; that they we're expected to be
strangers henceforthl
THE fact is," Jim had said, Bit
terly. married life Is too everyday.
We were intoxicated with youth,
Edith, and"
with love-" she had interrupted.
Still there are memories that !
shall never regret; memories Of what
thought you we're, Jim, and Of the
exciting Joy of keeping up to what
you thought / was"
And this is the endl" he had said
with a bitter sneer. well, others
have made the same mistake"
A dry sob in her throat. How
much easier It would be to rectify It
II they did not have the boy--the
boy who was so fond of his father!
That morning at breakfast when
she had thoughtlessly mentioned
that she was going home for 9 few
hours. how he had pleaded to go,
too. All excitement. with his little
arms about her neck. he had said:
PLEASE take me, mamma. Please.
/ please dol want to see my papa
and play with my fre engine!"
She had talked to him and petted
him. trying to invent reasons that
his six-year-old mind could grasp,
for his not seeing his father and for
their staying away from home SO
long. 1t seemed as though years
had passed since that morning when
she and Donald had left home. The
days had never crept SO slowly in all
her life, even when she and Jim were
on the outs" Jim! She kept for
| getting that she must blot his name
from her mind and heart. She had
not known how deeply It was en-
: craven there.
As she walked up the path that
led to the house she was struck with
the air Of desolatiOn and neglect
that pervaded the place. The walks
and lawn we're strewn with dead
leaves and a For Sale" notice was
nailed on the front piazza.
Slowly she went up the steps, and
with a heavy heart unlocked the
door The whole house was upset.
Furniture was standing everywhere
but in the right place carpets were
rolled up. and large boxes blocked
the hallway.
What q strange feeling to know
that she was the cause Of all this
confusion; that but for her the house
would be the picture of order and
content. She looked at the arm
chair In which Jim used to sit with
little Donald on his knee. How tired
he used 10 be after his long ride
from the city each night. still he had
never complained nor suggested NOV
ing to the city. WhyI Because she
preferred q country home. Oh. yesI
He was good to her-sometimes.
In the nursery she broke down
completely. There was DonAld's
treasured hre engine, the last toy
that his father had brought for him.
and scattered about the floor were
the blocks and other little playthinEs
that Jim never missed bringing home
at the END OF the week. How DON
aid use to look forward to Saturday
night, for his father never came
home empty handed that evening.
Feeling like a child that has lost
Its way. she went slowly to her own
little sitting room. where, when Don
aid was younger. she used to sew or
write while he had his nap. As she
put her hand on the knob she
thought she heard a noise within.
"Jiml"
The motionless figure sitting at
her desk. with bowed head, did not
4 move.
"Jim!" she repeated going nearer
and noting with a pang the tinge of
gray about his temples. Il didn't
think you cared, Jim"
How / have missed you, Edith"
he said tarning a haggRrd face to
hers, and mot seeming At all sur
prised at her presence.
She ionged TO say, II missed you.
too. jim" but instead she said:
did you really miss me. or was II
my care and your comfort7"
you, Edith" he answered so sin
eerely and eonvincingly that she
could not doubt him.
81 want my wife, my boy and my
home" he continued going towards
her, pleadingly.
And l want my husband" she re-
piled, yielding to his embrace.
We made a mistake, dear, when
We thought that we weren't suited
to each other" he said looking at her
with the old. tender light In his eyes
And Donald will never have .
chance to reproaeh me or say that
wss not a FOoi mother" she ans
yored. radiantly happy.-Boston
Post.