Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-07-18
nHER SECOND
WIND
(cqpyright. BY Daily Story Pub COB
BY W. c. SCOTT

| For my uncopquerable soul
She stood at the window ana
looked out into the street, her form
displayed to advantage In close-ht-
ting suit cher last: all the others mad
been sold) OF stylish cut. against the
daylight glare.
wait for my second windg' she
scornfully cried: "pd starye'"
There's Van Court: but not tnat'
She eazed into the mirror at e white,
haggard face, illuminated by two WIG
ewes. The reflection startled her she
impulsively pressed her fingers to her
eyes and shnddered. 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 IL
was not her fault II she was not su-
perior to the ills of life that menaced
her. Her life was her own; she had
no further use for ii. and would end
IL all. With a steady hand she opened
the dresser drawer (emptyl and took
out a small bottle. Fascinated. she
gazed at the label, and with strange
exultation she read: "Carbolic acid
1T Vas the chespest-and 1t 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 not
thought Kissed into her bewildered
brain. Her eyes glared and her
cheeks fiared dull red. why mot?
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.
"rIl do it,-it--is-my-second-
wind"
And then hopeless expression
ciouded the glitter in her eyes and she
sank Imply back into the chair
moaning: NO, no, Let me Think"
Suddenly a harsh exclamation
ieaped 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 II 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 door to the, left. A
middle-aged lady opened it.
"Oh, Mrs. Warner. ! wonder II you
would allow me to wear your furs
downtown. | have some good news.
You know where my own are
Why. my dear girl. of course you
can. / hope 1t 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. 1t has got to-" she whispered
to herself as she ran down to the
street. She looked very stylish. and
as she turned into Macheth-Wards
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"
IL would like a higher Tone" sde-
clared Miss Roberts.
I'VE will change IT," said the man.
! ager
Thank you. Then, I'll take this
instrument. You will deliver II to-
morrow? oh. the next day; very well.
172s Fairview place. You said FIVE
per cent on 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 eie-
tcut tOustaiA Rta- oAt chAiicu uC-
preciatingly. and pushed the check
book over 10 him.
Would you mind filing IL out, I'm
not familiar with the-the-thank you
so much" He wrote the check and
she signed IT, Then. smiling. he bowed
her out with an elaborate flourish
Il don't know her. and she was
easy. so 7 just raised Il hundred"
laughed the manager to his assistant
Good instrument. though"
At four o'clock the next day there
was q hurried rap on Miss Roberts
door. She drew quick breath.
opened IL and confronted a small boy
vno thrust an envelope into her hand
She broke the seal
u contained a note and her check
The note ran. Some errOr-no funds:
please call Macbeth-Wards Piano Co