West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-02-18
Jack ioosened his wife's hand clasp

Jack ioosened his wife's hand clasp
and walked over 70 the table.
Nothing. What should / have to
worry aboutr' He spoke carelessiy.
The mortgagef' suggested Echo.
Il paid that on last week." explain
ed Jack.
Echo felt deeply hurt that this news
should have been kept from her by
her husband.
'You did. and never told met" she
chided. where did you get the mon.
eyr' she inquired.
why, T. Jack halted. He could
not frame an excuse at once nor in
vent a new lie To cover his old sin.
Deeper and deeper he was getting into
the mire OF deception.
Echo had arisen from the seat. "It
was over 5000, wasn't 1T" she in
sisted.
Something like that" answered
Jack noncommittally.
well, where did you get itY' de-
manded his wife.
An old debt-a friend OF mine-I
loaned him the money long time ago.
and he paid Il back-that's all"
Jack took drink OF water from the
ola TO hide his confusion.
who was itf' persisted Echo.
"You wouldn't know II told you
Now. just stop talking business"
1T isn't fair" declared Echo. "You
share all the good things OF life with
me, and want to share some OF your
business worries. I want TO stand my
share OF the bad"
Jack saw he must humor her.
when the bad comes I'll tell YOU" he
assured her, patting her hand.
"You stand between me and the
world You're like a great big noun
tain standing guard over a little tree
In the valley, keeping the cold north
wind from treating II too roughly" !"
She sighed contentedly. But the
mountain does II ALL"
Jack looked down tenderly at his
little wife. Her love for him moved
him deeply.
mot at ALL" he said to her. "The
little tree grows green and beautiful.
IL casts welcome shade about IL. and
the heart OF the mountain is made
glad to its rocky core TO know that the
safety OF that little tree Is I'm its keep
ing"
| Taking her In his arms, he kissed
her again and again.
kissing againg' shouted Polly from
the doorway. Say, will you two new
| er settle down to business? There's
Bud Lane an a bunch OF others Just
come into the corral Maybe they
want you, Jack"
| Jack excused himself. AS he step
ped out on the piazza he asked Polly,
shall I send Bud Int"
LET him come in IL he wants to.
I'm not sendin' for him" Polly spite
fully turned up her nose at him. Jack
laughed as he closed the door
Echo reseated herself at the piano,
lingering the keys.
| How are you getting on with Bud p
she asked the younger girl.
| I'VE don't get on a little bit," she
snapped. Bud never seems to collect
much revenue. an we Just keep trot-
tin slow-like. Wish was married an
had home of my own"
Aren't you happy with father and
motherT
Polly glanced at Echo, with a smile.
Lord, yes" she replied, "in a way,
but I'm only a poor relationl Your
ma was my mas cousins cousin or
somethin like that"
| Echo laughed. Nonsense" she re-
torted. Nonsense. You're my dear
sister and the only daughter that's at
the old home now"
But want a home Of my own like
this" said Polly.
Then you'd better shake Bud and
give Slim chance"
Polly was too disgusted to answer
at once. "Slim Hoover-shucksi Slim
doesn't care for girls. He's afraid Of
en-" she said at length. II like Bud
with all his orneriness." she declared.
| why doesn't he come to see you
more oftenT
| II don't know. Maybe it's because
he's never forgiven you for marryin'
Jack"
why should he mind thatY' she
asked, startled.
'Well, you know" she answered be-
tween stitches. drawing the needle
through the cloth with angry little
jerks, Bud he never quite believed
Dick was dead"
Echo rose hastily. The vague, haunt
ing half thoughts OF weeks were crys-
tallized on the instant. She felt az n
Dick was trying to speak to her from
out Of the great beyond. with a shud-
der she sank into chair at the table
opposite Polly.
Don't" she said, her voice scarcely
above a whisper. "I can't bear 10 hear