The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1909-01-24

an. How are you, Maggie. me dar-
lintg
The mere talking about Tom. the re-
velatiOn of her absolute devotion to
him, brought back the cheer and deter
mination to Maggie's face.
When she had gone Mrs. Norton fell
into TeTeTy. Maggie's fidelity would
have seemed incredible had not her
knowledge of the human heart long
ago taught her that woman's love. like
/ the pine tree which sprawls its roots
over the bare rock and lift its sturdy
trunk unnourished, drinks deep from
invisible wells and flourishes best
where it has nothing to feed upon. The
oretically she hoped that Tom had gone
for good. Drunkenness and shiftless-
nesc could never bring Maggie any
thing but sorrow, however deluded she
might be. But when she reused her
self from her thoughts she was shocked
to discover that as a matter of fact
she had been wishing Tom at home.
good-foTnothing as he was. and had
Deen taking genuine satisfaction in fle
wife's JOY in assuming any burdens
that love for her husband might lay
upon her.
Maggie's thoughts, as was usual
when she turned her face homeward
were on Tom. With no very good rea-
son, she felt strangely hopeful tonight
Now and then she would speak aloud
and frequently smiles came and went
on her face. I'm just a poor fool to
be thinkin' it at ALL she said to her
self, wild ne'er a word out o. his head
this good phile, but wouldn't It be the
odd thing row if I'd find him in it the
night? I've a great notion to bring a
bit o. bacon wild me against he'd be
there. 'Twould make the fine supper
wild this bowl O. sour milk that cook O.
Norton's strongly intinded TO cast out
is I didn't take IL off her"
She bought the bacon from a butch
er's counter that extended to the side
walk. Pausing a moment on a bright
street corner to adjust these supplies
under her shawl. the caught Whit.
savory and warm, from a glass show
case on wheels. Inside a darling flame
lighted soft, white pyramid and
a row OF bags. They we're stuffed to
bursting with their top corners twisted
as erect and alert as a fox terriers
ears. Outside stood a slip of boy
about the size Of Patsy, his hands in
his pockets, his round cap pushed well
back, his nose, which barely reached
high enough. fiattened against the
glass. The popcorn man surveyed the
twilight scene over the top of the show
case. Maggie invested in two warm
bags Here now. thin" she said to
the yOungsteT. as she thrust one to-
ward him. The pinched little face with
drew from the glass slowly, doubtful
ly. Then two short arms were held
out eagerly. Grimy hands grasped the
frail parcel and Rugged it up tight to
the receptive breast The ears of the
bag curved up on both sides of the sad
mouth Perhaps they exerted a hyp-
motto influence, for the corners of the
mouth began to curve upward. too: the
eyes opened wide. the cheeks puffed
out just a wee bit; the tiny nose
wrinkled. and a soft light stole into all
the shadowy places and Guffused the
little old face just as the last glow was
suffusing the evening sky. Not a word
escaped the firmly closed lips Maggie
slipped the other bag under her shawl
for Patsy and tTudged on her way.
She did not find Tom lin it" when
she got home. but the thought that she
might was all the sustenance that her
love needed to Keep hope alive for p
new day. And on the morrow her hope
was indeed justified.
Having no work out that morning,
Maggie was embracing the opportunity
to sew. Seated in a low chair. knees
we'll apart and a garment of Patsy's
held at a good distance. she piled a
coarse needle swiftly. drawing the long.
unwieldy thread to arms length. She
gave her head an Affirmative shake as
she thought to herself that Tom
couldn't be long coming now. He
never had stayed away like this before.
She had a few dollars put by. IF it'd
be enough to get a bit O. ground in the
country" maybe she could keep him.
She could see him with his hoe and
his pipe, and herself nilkin' the ould
cow. tn way il was before liver we left
the ould country"
The thought of the boy was sudden
reminder that he would be wanting
some dinner at noon. She bit off the
thread. dumped her work on the lounge.
dropped a WOODEN skirt over her calico
and threw on a shawl. to go to the
store. But Patsy found no dinner
ready when he looked in for ii after
school At that moment his mother
was walking rapidly beside a mes
senger from the city hospital