The Washington times., 1909-01-06

y except her mental faculties fall
ed her, and for some moments
she lay in a crumpIed heap into which
she had fallen. Then she suddenly
mastered her weakness. and rising slow
~, dragged herself to the window,
where she dropped into a chair from
which she. had a view of the street
In her weakness she could neither cry
nor sob. but sat silently rocking back
ward and forward. her eyes riveted on
the street below. Dawn had already
broken, and although the lamps We're
still lighted. day was near at hand
Then she saw a figure advancing slow
ly Up the street. At first, 10 her tires
eyes, weak from loss Of sleep, the per
son was only dimly discernible- Then
as he moved slowly forward, she saw IL
was her husband. and watched him in
tently until she saw him turn to enter
the house.
She went TO the door 10 meet him
and not until ne had almost reached IL,
did he glance up.
'Ohl" he exclaimed in surprise.
Helen led the way to the living room
wen, John?'' she queried anxiously.
They're not so bad" he returned as
he dropped the bundle OF papers on the
table. "I only read the headIines-and
well. they are not so terribly discourag-
ing. SIt down and I'll read them"
He threw of his overcoat and turned
up the light. although the first rays OF
dawn frightened the room. Then throw
ing himself into a chair, he picked up
one OF the papers.
s.Hang it all, Helen, this light as aw-
full" he complained. would YOU miRd
lighting another
Mrs. Langdon did as hidden
mot much better. ne mutJered. as
he turned the pages of the paper in
search of the dramatic news. The
gas must be awfuuy poor"
Mrs. I.ancdon studied his face anx-
iousIy, but did not reply
T.anEdon settled back I'm his chair.
yes. here il is. Accident cuts play
short he read aloud. wen, that
isn't so bad. In the middle OF the first
act. frightened horse plunges through
scenery
lie paused and held the paper close
10 his eyes. then glanced up quickly.
Helen" he said. lis this room very
Hght2"
"Why, John?" She queried In a fright
ened voice.
Because 7 can read the headings
but the article itself SIS nothing but a
blur" Tie heaved a deep sigh. 81
guess-my eyes-are getting worse"
Here. John. let me read it fer YOU
But promise youu see the specialist be-
fore tomorrow.
yes. 1 will" was the reply that
Iangdon scarcely realized was l3ss so
alarmed was me over his condition.
Mrs L.angdon took The papers and
read one after another Of the criticisms
They were ala uon-committal They
DID not praise or run down. AS the
writer's stated so little Of the play mad
taken place before the accident that no
one could judge the worth OF H.
and they are right. too.' Langdon
muttered why, what are the first
few lines Of any play2 Nothing but
ain attempt to locate tho scene and place
It I'm the proper atmosphere. OF course
the critics could not judge. II Webster
mad not been SO blamed obstinate about
barring everybody from reheaTsals--''
TyVas he?' Mrs. Langdon interrupted.
why of course he was, and I told
you s0.7 Langdou Erunbled.
II had forgotten" she murmured
ALPHABETICALLY.
well. 7 haven L. 1T was suggested
and even advised, but Webster claimed
hs wanted 10 keep the whole thing q
secret till the opening night. Now if
he had only listened to reason, some or
rhe critics might have seen the show
and even with the fool horse acting as
he did be able 10 give MS a decent no.
tice.'
"TF is a big word. isn't it2" Mrs.
LauEd0n remarked
Sometimes" De returned.
There was silence Tor some moments.
Iangd0n being busy with his own
thoughts. and mis- wife, realizing this.
RETAINED from breaking iu upon them.
Al occasional milk or bakery wagon
rumnIed along the street below Then
the clock on the maute piece cElmed
the hour Of g.
Mrs. Langdon reused up quickly.
'J0bl, arc you going 10 the office to-
day." she asked.
.I haye not fully decided TO retire
faom AsIuess Just yet" Die remarked
"But D thought perhaps your eyes
con bother my eyes. OF course ]
am Cgiug 10 the office. although + really
ought lo bc at Webster's al l0.'
Couldn't ] phone 10 your office say
ing you are H2 You surely are. John"
"That might not be o. bad idea" he
said. although Z don't like tho priu-
clple OF the thing"
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