Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1909-07-29
HHER SECOND
WIND
By W. c. SCOTT

She stood at the window and
I looked out into the street, her form
displayed to advantage in a olose-fit,
ting suit cher last; all the others had
been sold) of stylish cut, against the
daylight glare.
wait for my second wind?" she
scornfully cried; I'D starve!"
There's Van Court; but not that!"
She gaxed into the mirror at q white.
haggard face. illuminated by two wild
eyes. The reflection startled her. She
impulsively pressed her fingers to her
eyes and shuddered. Then she
clenched her white hands-fear
should not shake her resolve. Death
must be welcome; the uncertainty OF
the nature OF the hereafter could not
alter her intention. The frowns OF
Fortune had driven her on. Surely it
was not her fault II she was not su-
perior to the Ills of life that mensced
her. Her life was her own: she had
no further use for 1t, and would end
II ALL With a steady hand she opened
the dresser drawer (empty) and took
out small bottle. Fascinated, she
gazed at the label, and with strange
exultation she read: "Carbolic acid"
1T was the cheapest-and II is GER
tain!" She put the bottle down and
her eyes fell upon her check book.
She smiled bitterly. "Oh. I'm SO
hungry, but of what use are you to
me-" She picked the book up aim
lessly, and at the contact hot
thought Kissed into her bewildered
brain. Her eyes glared and her
cheeks fared a dull red. why not?
Why not?" she painted. Now her
limbs were trembling. and she sat
down abruptly. But In an instant she
stood up rigid. the thought still hiss
ing In her brain.
'Tll do it!-it--is-my-seco
wind"
And then hopeless expression
clouded the glitter In her eyes and she
sank Imply back into the chair
moaning: NO. no! Let me think"
Suddenly harsh exclamation
leaped from her dry lips She leaped
to her feet and ran across the room
to the dresser
I'm getting tiny second wind"
the woman painted
She looked at the face in the mir
ror with new interest. 1t was pale,
but calm, determined; and the large
eyes were steady, resolute and fear
less. Deity she rearranged her hair;
put on her hat and veil, and taking
the check book went out into the hall.
She tapped on a door TO the left. A
middle-aged lady opened it.
"Oh, Mrs. Warner, wonder il you
would allow me to wear your furs
downtown. l have some good news.
You know where my own are"
why, my dear girl, Of course you
can. | hope it will be your second
wind, as you call it. And, now, when
you come back want you to stay for
supper, Miss Roberts," invited Mrs.
Warner. as she brought the furs.
Thank you; oh, thank you so
much I know this will turn out all
right. II has got to-" she whispered
to herself as she ran down to the
street. She looked very stylish. and
as she turned into Macbeth-Ward's
piano store, the manager himself
sprang forward to open the door
"A piano? Aim, yes. Please step
this, way, lady Here is an elegant up
right, mahogany, for $500, five per
cent. of for cash"
Yes. lady. the first tuning is free
Of charge. You would like to hear its
tone? Simpson; here, please"
II would like a higher tone" de-
clared Miss Roberts.
I'VE will change It," said the man
ager.
Thank you. Then, I'll take this
instrument. You will deliver it to-
morrow? Oh. the next day; very well.
The address-Miss Mamie Roberts,
1928 Fairview place. You said five
per cent. off for cash? I'll pay you
now; the amount is, let me see-S760.
Isn't that right?" she asked as she
produced the check book. The man
ager bowed and handed her an ele-
CANT fountain pen. She smiled de-
preciatingly, and pushed the check
book over to him.
Would you mind filling il out? I'm
not familiar with the-the-thank you
so much" He wrote the check and
she signed II. Then, smiling, he bowed
her out with an elaborate flourish.
Il don't know her, and she was
easy, so | just raised it a hundred"
laughed the manager to his assistant
Good instrument, though"
At four o'clock the next day there
was a hurried rap on Miss Roberts
door. She drew a quick breath.
opened it and confronted a small boy
who thrust an envelope into her hand.
She broke the seal.
IL contained a note and her check
The note ran: "Some 'error-no funds;
please call Macbeth-Wards Piano Co"
'Tll arrange to drop in tomorrow"
she said to the boy. and closed the
door Flushed and trembling, she
rushed to the window and inspected
the returned check. Yes, thank good
ness!-there was the piano company's
bold Endorsement on the back; and
the bank teller had neglected TO mark
the check. She hurried out and down
to the bank (not the same bank. In
an hour she was seated in parlor
car steaming away from self-destruc-
ton and the town she hated to think
about on her pale face was a han