The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1909-02-06
"Dreadfully." replied the girl with
"And what was it all about"

st don't remember how it started, =
said the girl. "It was something
quite silly, / think. Jim was very
cross when he came home, and-an6
he found fault with the biscuits
they were not very good, but Jim had
no right to speak SO sarcastically about
them-and l had a headache and
wasn't a bit we'll and Mary had
threatened to leave-and I hadn't
heard from mother, and I was afraid
she was sick-and--"
The old man checked the torrent
with an uplifted hand.
wait" he hastily said, "that' S all
right as an example of rapid enun-
citation, but as a basis for divorce
charges it is very weak. Did Jim
throw the butter dish at you, and fol.
low it up with the cream jug l'
The girl stared at him.
why, Jim wouldn't do that, /" she
said, "Jim's gentleman.
HE might have been a little more
courteous in his references to lady's
biscuits" said the old man. "But
we will let that pass. What did
he do"
HE said some very cruel things, +"
replied the girl as she choked back a
sob.
"All untrue, of course?"
Everyone of them"
"What did he say ?''
"I--I can't remember"
"But it is necessary to remember.
What did he call your"
"Me He didn't call me anything" "
"Didn't he say cruel things about
you ~
"No-o-o. He said them about
Chicago"
"Chicago"
eyes. He said the meanest things
you ever heard"
The old man drew quick breath.
"And, of oDurse, you retaliated by
saying still meaner things about New
York;"
''No, I didn't" the girl returned.
II know SO little about New York I
couldn't think of anything to say"
"That's true" He looked at her
keenly. "Of course nothing will sat-
isfy you except divorce?"
She gave little start and opened
her black eyes very wide.
why, what else can I havel"
His voice was grave. "Jim' love.
The tears filled her eyes.
"It's too late for that" she half
sobbed. "Jim's gone to see his law
yer?"
The old man looked at his watch.
"That reminds me. Who is Jim S
lawyer?"
''His name is Paulding, Jasper
Paulding."
"Eh p exclaimed the old man.
why, 1 noticed his sign as l came
through the hall. And it's Just
twelve o'clock"
Then he turned quickly and hur-
ried down the hall. When he reach
ed the door that bore the name of
Jasper Paulding he opened it and en-
tered.
Two men were seated at the table.
One was nearing middle age. The
other was young man, good look
ing, tall and muscular.
"There are occasions" said the old
man, "when 1t seems justiiable to
deviate from established rules. This
is one of them" He looked hard at
the young man. II have heard your
wife's sad story" he gravely said.
And despite the gravity of his tone
the young man almost believed he
saw twinkle in the keen old eyes.
"I feel quite sure" he said, "that
my wife didn't paint me darker than
l deserved to be painted. Mr.. Paul
ding will fell you, sir, that I came here
only to arrange for the payment into
Angela's hands of a fixed sum each
week"
The old man arose.
II am little pressed for time," he
said. II go aboard the French liner
this afternoon. Will you trust your
client with me, Mr.. Paulding?"
Certainly, general" cried the law
yer. HE couldn't be in better hands.
Goodbye, sir, and safe voyage
A moment later the two men stood
before the library door.
"Your wife is in there, Jim Rob-
bins," said the old man softly, land
she's much too dear a wife and too
sweet girl to be lost through foolish
pride. Do you understand 7"
eyes, sir" the young man an
swered. IT begin to understand"
They shook hands and then the
young man quickly opened the door
and as quickly closed it behind him.
The old man nodded and gently
smiled. Then he looked at his watch
and with sudden exclamation left
the room.
Five minutes later a puzzled look
crossed the young wife's face.
"How did you know was here,
Jim?"
"Your lawyer told me-"
The young wife clapped her hands.
"Isn't he a dear old man." she
cried.-C2eveland Plain Dealer.
HER pRED1CAMENr.
A celebrated divine was to preach
in small village one Sunday where