The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1909-09-11

aging her husband to fight on and
win.
Joe. for his part. lacked his wife's
grit and energy. and constant disap-
pointment had undermined his forti
tude. He loved Emma. He hardly
could have done otherwise. though
calculation had entered largely into
lis counting Of her. ChivalrousIy
while the sweet bliss Of their early
married life held him In its spell. be
had done as much OF the heavier work
Of the menage as he could to spare
her when time and opportunity afford.
ed. but very naturally be had soon
tired Of this-where Is the man who
does not?-and by degrees had left as
much OF 1t as he could TO her. except
when his moods of optimism and az
fectionate solicitude impelIed him to
60 to her assistance. At such times be
wanted to do it all.
On The evening following his out
burst ut the Office he was still resent
full and down In the mouth" when he
let himself into his little fiat. and the
smiles of his wife as she raised her
rosebud lips to receive his kiss of
greeting failed to dispel his gloom.
you seem out of sorts tonight.
dear" she said solicitously. ANY
thing wrong at the Officer
Nothing in particular. Fm tired
and hungry efter Shaving all day iu
this awful heat. that's all"
"Never mind. supper's all ready. so
sit down and tuck in"
What did you get?'
Chops and potatoes"
Toe turned up his nose. but took his
seat at table and began to eat. He
answered his wife's questions in mono
syllables. His thoughts. It was plain.
were not on his meal or Emma's con-
versation. and. seeing that he was pre-
occupied and troubled. she ceased to
try to engage his attention.
Il paid the gas bill today" he vouch-
safed at length. Ninety cents more
than last month"
Ninety cents moreI" she commented
with concern. I'm sure we didn't
use half as much. And we owe the
butcher four-siyty."
Every month it costs more to live
l don't know what we are going to do.
I'm sure"
I'm sorry. joe Goodness knows
try to be as economical as can"
Il know. but it's all wrong It's all
wrong that you should be spelling
your hands with those beastly greasy
pans. They weren't meant for such
work. wish we could afford a hired
girl
$50 do l. 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 and 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 bis request would be complied
with. and she had built many castles
in the air on the strength of it A few
dollars more a week added to their
distressingly small income would have
meant much to them. But, 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
of than we were before. and you'll
win out some day"
She placed her hand under his chin
and raised bis head TO kiss him. He
Continued on Sixth Page.)