Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1909-09-10

and hungry artcr sla,in- all day in
this awfuI heat. that's all -
"NcNcr mind. suW-cr'S al ready. so
sit down and tuck in"
What did you ger"
Chops and potalo"S.'
Joe turned up his nose hut took his
seat ut table and BEGAN To cat. He
answered his wifc's questions in mono
syllableS. His thoughts. it WAS plain.
were not on his meal or Emma's con-
vcrsatlon, snd, seeing that he was PRE-
occupied and troubled. she ceased to
try TO engage his attention.
Il paid the gas bill today" he vouch
safcd at length. Ninety cents more
than last month
Ninety cents more" she commented
with concern. I'm sure We didn't
use half as much. And we owe the
butcher four-sixty."
Every month it costs more to live.
I don't know what we are going to do.
I'm sure
III H'iAN ''N. 'i'''!ii'NH NlIpNS
try to be as economical rs | can"
Il know. but it's all wrong It's all
wrong that you should be spelling
your hands with those bcaStly greasy
pans. They weren't meant for such
work. | wish we could afford q hired
girl"
$50 do |. but we can't, so what's the
use Of wishing: Didn't you get the
raise you asked Captain Williams
for" she inquired.
NO
He hung his head ard lapsed into
gloomy silence. She dropped the NOR
sci she was raising to her mouth and
rose from the table. filed with dis
may. her appetite completely gone.
Tears of disappointment followed the
realization of what the failure of their
plans meant. for neither had doubted
that his request would be complied
with. and she had built many castles
in the mir tn tie StIcn til cf It, A few
dollars more week added to their
distreSSingly small income would have
meant much to them Eut. gazing at
her husband sitting there utterly de-
jected and crushed. her heart went out
to him in pity and love. and she moved
over to his chair and put her arm con-
solingly round his neck
Never mind. Joe, boy" she urged
don't look so solemn. We're no worse
off than we were before. and you'll
win out some day"
She placed her hand under his chin
and raised his head to kiss him. He
saw that she was smiling at him en-
fused to be comfortcd.
Il made out the payroll today" he
said. Three other men in the office
who also asked for raise last month
got it; so did Smith"
What, Jimsy:' she asked.
Il said Smith. There's only one
Smith in the Office" he replied some
what surlily.
well. I'm glad for .Iimsy's sake he
got what he wanted"
Il think he told Williams to come
across with more money or he'd quit"
"How much did he ask for!"
Eighteen hundred"
Eighteen hw 1red? My gracious,
isn't that fine"
1T means that he'll be getting near
ly 5000 a year now. Great for him,
isn't it,?
Yes. indeed 1t Is"
Il saw Jimsy today. Asked him to
come to supper. He said he would IL
he could"
Il wonder why he didn't"
Her husband did not answer immedi-
ately. When he did he burst out saw
agely:
Suppose he thought we couldn't at
ford it. Two don't eat as much as
three"
why. Joe. how absurd.' she laugh
ed, beginning to gather up the supper
plates. "Jimsy knows it's pot luck"
THAT'S the trouble. Jimsy knows
your mother knows-Williams knows
everybody knows, and they're always
talking about how you've got to work
and slave because you married me and
all that sort Of stuff
"Jimsy doesn't"
well. he thinks 1t. and your moth
er's always rubbing it In, harping on
the same old string-that l amt wor-
thy of you, that it's shame the way
you have to work and slave, that l
don't seem to get along at all and that
you
"Oh, don't mind mother; you know
her"
"She never did want us to marry"
But dear old dad did. and ne was
the one | wanted to please-after you.
Joe, OF course Mother is just a bit
peculiar. I'm sure she doesn't under
stand Inc much. and I'm equally sure
that l don't understand her, so We
won't bother about her. Just sweep
up bit, will you, while / wash the
dishes? Jimsy may drop in by and by"
Brooks went into the kitchen, donned
an apron from force of habit instilled
into him by his wife, ever careful Of
his clothes. and reappcared with a
carpet broom and a dust cloth He
was laboring under excitement. as was
manifest by the reckless manner in
which he used the broom. Finally,
with an expression Of determination,
he said in Il firm voice:
Emma. you know it will be six
months or year before l get another
chance Mt raiSe-unless, Of course,
quit and get job somewhere else. I
was thinking that perhaps you're tired
and want to call it off,
call what off,"
why, everything-the whole bust
ness. mean our marriage" he said
desnerately.