The Cairo bulletin., 1909-07-16
H4ER SECOND
WIND
Copyright, by Daily Story Pub. Col
By w. c. SCOTT


She stood at the window and
looked out into the street, her form
displayed to advantage in close-h'-
ting suit cher last; all the others had
been sold Of stylish cut, against tie
daylight glare.
wait for my second wind?" she
scornfully cried; I'D starve'"
There's Van Court; but not that'
She gazed into the mirror at white
haggard face, illuminated by two wild
eyes. The reelection startled her. She
impnlsively pressed her fingers to her
eyes and shuddered Then she
clenched her white hands-fear
should not shake her resolve. Death
must be welcome; the uncertainty OF
the nature Of the hereafter could not
alter her intention The frowns OF
Fortune had driven her on. Surely 1t
was not her fault if she was not SUI
perior to the ills OF life that menaced
her Her life was her own; she had
no further use for it, and would end
It all With a steady hand she opened
the dresser drawer tempty) and took
ont a small bottle Fascinated she
gazed at the label and with a strange
exultation she read; 'Carboiic acid.
1t was the cheaptst-and it Is cor
tain!" She put the bottle down and
her eyes fell upon her check book.
She smiled bitterly ooh, I'm so
hungry. but of what use are you 10
me-" She picked the book up aim
lessly, and at the contact hot
thought Kissed into her bewildered
brain Her eyes glared and her
cheeks Jared a duh red. why not?
Why not?' she painted. Now her
limbs were trembling. and she sat
down abruptly. But in an instant she
stood up rigid, the thought still hiss
ing in her brain.
IN do itl--it--is-my--sec
wind!"
And then a hopeless expression
clouded the glitter in her eyes and she
sank Imply back into the chair
moaning: No, no. Let me think
Suddenly harsh exclamation
leaped from her dry lips. She leaped
to her feet and ran across the room
to the dresser.
I'm getting Tiny second wind,
the woman painted.
She looked at the face in the mir
ror with new interest 1t was pale
but calm, determined; and the large
eyes were steady, resolute and fear
less. Deity she rearTanged her hair
put on her hat and veil, and taking
the check book went out into the hall
She tapped on door TO the left. \
middle aged lady opened IT,
"Oh, Mrs. Warner, l wonder If you
would allow me to wear your furs
downtown. / have some good news
You know where my own are.
why my dear girl, of course you
can | hope 1t viii be your second
wind, as you call It, And now, when
you come back want you to stay for
supper. Miss Roberts" invited Mrs.
Warner, as she brought the furs.
Thank you; oh, thank you so
much! ! know this will turn out all
right IL has got to-" she whispered
to herself as she ran down to the
street She looked very stylish, and
as she turned into MacbethWard's
piano store, the manager himself
sprang forward to open the door
"A piano? Aim, yes. Please step
this, way. lady Here is an elegant up
right, mahogany, for $500, five per
cent of for cash"
Yes, lady, the first tuning is free
of charge You would like TO hear its
tone? Simpson; here. please"
81 would like higher tone" de-
clared Miss Roberts.
We will change it," said the man.
ager
Thank you Then, I'll take this
instrument You viii deliver IL to-
morrow? Oh, the next day; very well.
The address--Alss Mamie Roberts,
1928 Fairview place You said five
per cent. off for cash? I'll pay you
now; the amount u.s. let me see-s760.
Isn't that right" she asked as she
produced the check book. The man
ager bowed and handed her an ele-
CANT fountain pen She smiled de-
preciatingly, and pushed the check
book over to him.
Would you mind filling II out? I'm
not familiar with the-the--thank you
so much" He wrote the check and
she signed II. Then. smiling. he bowed
her out with an elaborate flourish.
81 don't know her, and she was
easy, so Just raised 1t a hundred"
laughed the manager TO his assistant
Good instrument, though
Al four O'Clock the next day there
was hurried rap on Miss Roberts
door. She drew quick breath,
opened It ard confronted a ANAL boy
who thrust an envelope into her hand
She broke the seal.
II contained a note and her check.
The note ran: Some error--no funds:
please call Macbeth-Wards Piano Co"
"Ill arrange to drop IN tomorrow.
she said to the boy. aud closed the
door Flushed and trembling, she
rushed to the window and inspected
the returned check. Yes. thank good
ness'-there was the piano companys
bold Endorsement on the back; and
the bank teller had neglected 10 mark