The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1909-10-12
HOW PERCY HELPED.

charming things In the bric-a-brac line.
added at the last moment, had so over
balanced our account that I felt 1t i'm
perative to make up better check
than usual that week on the daily pa
per upon which earned my bread.
But my wife had been hard at work
too. She had been to Paul Jones' sale
it was remnant day"-and she had
got few little things which dear
baby absolutely had to have. besides
q few more quite indispensable trifles
for herself, all of them dirt cheap"
ohe had been forced to confess. how
ever, that the weeks housekeeping
money had been severely encroached
upon, and am afraid was not en-
thusiastic over the Jones sale. In
stead Of chasing the passing cloud
from her sweet eyes. as l knew how
to do, l had even heaved a sigh Of
relief as the door slammed after her.
So l was hard at work and within
sight of the end at last when voice
on the stairs, shouting II know my
way" made me swear gentle oath
under my breath before the door
opened and one Percy Falmouth stood
before me.
He was college friend, one of those
who always prevent one from work
ing. but to whom one is never able to
say nay.
His face. that was wont to be fresh.
was sallOw and gray, and his eye. that
was always merry, was dull and down
cast.
Whats the matter, old man." said
l. You're down on your luck"
1t took him some time to bring the
trouble out, even to me. but at last he
managed it. He was in love.
lis that ala" cried l cheerily. Well.
don't be alarmed. assure you when
you have got over the beginning it
isn't bad at all"
ut isn't that" said my friend gloom
lily after pause
isn't what?" / asked
"It isn't that l mind being in love-"
he explained. but how am to keep
a wife,"
My chair spun round again Of itself.
your l cried almost fiercely. why.
haven't you got $500 year Of your
Own?" And vision Of the weekly
books and the monthly bills swan be-
fore my eyes and made me run my
fingers wildly through my hair. You
are a nice one to talk"
Percy smiled sarcastically.
1.-TWO thousand FIVE hundred dol
lars" echoed he. why. it wouldn't
keep her in silk petticoats"'
looked grave instantly.
"And it wouldn't keep any woman"
said my friend, rising and throwing
his cigarette away as he warmed to
his subject. And one wouldn't wish
that it should What man cares to
see his wife looking a trump and
dowdier than other women? And it
isn't only the clothes; it's the house
and the furniture and the servants and
everything. Dinginess is out Of date. "
/ sighed.
IF / were to marry on $500 a
year." continued Percy emphaticalfy.
Il should be in debt in two months
and my wife and 1 would have quar-
relied forever"
Why didn't | smile? / had been
married more than two years. and,
though l had certainly been in debt
most of the time. my wife and had
not quarreled yet.
But a vision Of a pouting mouth and
tear dimmed blue eyes rose uncomfOrt-
ably before me. Instead of smiling it
was l now who sighed.
Perhaps my wife had not brought
home small. soft parcels enough from
Jones sale, instead of. as l had mean
ly supposed that morning. too many.
'But a man can work." said as
bravely as could
Work. echoed Percy bitterly.
That's all very we'll if you've got
brains. have no qualifications for
earning money. and love in cottage
isn't good enough nowadays"
Somehow this speech restored me to
my balance.
He smoked another cigarette. and
then he took up his hat, and l breathed
a sigh of relief.
ITS a devil Of a mess for fellow
to be in" he said gloomily.
EYES," said l. I'm afraid you'll have
to find a wife who can work on her
own account. There are a good many
Of them about nowadays"
He looked at me doubtfully. ''Oh,
I hate that sortv' he said. "A girl
with moneys better. but that won't
help me just now"
$50 supposed" said /. And l let
him out. l had sworn at his entrance,
but he had brought me luck.
The words literally few from my
pen when l sat down again. There
was something squirting me on. There
was goal in sight that knew of.
And when l had put my name to the
last sheet and was free 1 sought it.
Upstairs in the nursery my wife sat
beside the cradle She had our child
in her arms and was lulling him to
sleep. Her eyes shone as she looked
up at me; her face was fresh, and she
was as dainty as any man could wish
In a plain white frock-ready to well
come me to dinner after my work
AS bent down to kiss her said gay
ly. 1--WE made up splendid week.
darling, so you needn't worry about
the purchases"
And she laughed. saying: There