Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1909-09-17

"cie Jul VI Noih just INV SoOuueoo
knows. l DON'T"
Just how did he put it?"
lie said he was almighty sorry for
what had occurred, that he knew he
had been hard mt times and that as
far as your place and we were con-
cerned there would be no change"
Brooks relief showed In his face.
We'll. that knocks me-" he comment
ed. Nobody else ever bucked up
against him and got Off scot free. l
can't understand It Did your mother
put In word for me?"
NO"
Then it's you who must have pull
He died right down when you spoke
to him. | never would have believed
such II thing. If you had been a man
standing there In front Of him he'd
have smashed you. Darn 1t, l won
der who's ringing now? Can't be
Jimsy: he hasn't had time to get to the
street at the gait he goes"
He went 10 the head Of the stairs
and met messenger boy who was
bearing Il letter and had received In
structions to wait for an answer.
Sure" he exclaimed joyfully as he
perused the missive. "Tickled to
death! Go and get your things on,
Emma. It's from Beatrice Langley
and Willie Ferguson. Willle's giving
sort Of theater party. and they want
US to 80 with them. There's going to
be little supper afterward."
She shook her head.
Tell them we can't Co."
Cant go. Why not?"
Il simply can't"
Il don't see why"
"Well. then. won't: so there! You'd
better make some excuse"
Write 1t yourself. them" he said.
lrritatcd and deeply disappointed. I'm
not going to lie to them"
Without another word she fetched
some writing material. indited the
note and sent It OF by the messenger.
whats the matter? Are you sore
over what happened tonight?" he de-
manded sulkily.
"No, I'm not sore Joe"
Then why can't you goY'
Because ! can't That's all!'
Il think you might IL you didn't
want to 20 yourself you might have
accepted for my sake. never get
any amusement. and you're always
complaining"
when do complain. and Of what"
ITS the selfish way you net. ! mean.
for. once we get n chance to 20 and
see a decent show and afterward have
supper party. you get SORE You
simply don't want to go. You haven't
any consideration for me-"
Burning with indignation. she went
up to him and forced him to look her
In the face
"You say I have no consideration
for YOU" she said. you know as
we'll rs do why | can't so. haven't
had new dress in year. My gloves
are ull worn out I've skimped and
struggled and economical until | can't
ds any more. I'd go to the theater
II l could 20 alone or with you or
with Jimsy and hide some here In the
corner. but do you think I want to go
TO party looking like kitchen maid?
My shoes are cracked. Everything is
secondhand and old and ugly. And
look az me. DO you know what's hap
penrd to me-: I've grown common
and roarSe and cheap Sometimes
when look ut myself In the glass II
seems as th"u:h could see the dirt
and the grease and the hOrrid nasti-
ness Of It all staring Inc right I'm the
face. Why don't 20? I'm asha med,
that's all. And you make 1t harder.
1t has almost reached my limit Of en-.
DURANGO"
She turned from him. tears Of vexa.
t'on and humiliation In her eyes.
AS she did so Smith. the peacemaker,
entered. He had arrived In time to
bear the last part Of the confession
that had been forced from her by her
husbands injustice and selflshness.
Emma" he said soothingly, there
amt no use In making Joe feel worse
than he does. He works like the devil,
but somehow Joe wasn't built exactly
lucky. He is one Of those fellows like
I used to know in Colorado who spend
all their lives looking for a gold mine
and never quite find one. But Joe's
all right. and just to make this event
full sort of evening end up nicely I'm
going to hike to the best show In town.
and you two are going to hit my trail
while dig up the necessary spondulIcs
to defray any and all expense incurred.
including slight and select grub stake
after the entertainment. Now. what
do you think Of that:"
Brooks. who had hrrn listening to
bis wife and friend Sullcniy. was filled
with sudden resolve
mo. you WON'T he said tempestu-
ously. Il amt going to be an object
OF charity. I'm rs sick and tired Of
this whole business rs she is. Emma.
you put on the best dress you've got
and fix yourelf up the best you can.
and I'll take you to a show. and II
Jlmsy wants TO come he can come as
my guest. I'm still man, and it's
just as right should take care of nv
wife and let her have n little fun as 1t
Is for the Astors and Vanderbilts and
all OF them to spend money on their
families. I'm going to do it. and
don't care whether l can afford 1t or
not. l can find a way oil right. Hurry
up, Emmaw