The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1909-01-22

When Echo finished she turned In
surprise to find themselves alone
"Was it as bad as that?' she naively
asked Jack.
"What?''
"Why. they've all left u.s."
Jack laughed softly. $50 they have.
forgot they were here" he said, look
ng fondly down at his wife.
Echo began to play quietly another
ballad. I've always wanted piano."
she said
You'd have found one here waiting
If I'd only known it," he chided.
you've given me so much already"
she murmured. I've been Il big ex-
penSe to you"
Jack again slipped his arm about her
waist and kissed her There isn't any
limit on my love-" he declared. Il
want you to be happy
Don't you think l am?" laughed
Echo. I'm the happiest woman on
earth, Jack. and it's all you. l want to
be more than wife to you. l want to
be helpmate. but you won't let me-"
\ wistful expression crept over
Echo's cOuntenance.
who says so?" he demanded play
fully, as if he would punish any man
who dared make such an accusation.
Echo turned on the stool and took
his hand. Il know it." she said, with
emphasis. you've been worried about
something for days and days. Don't
tell me you haven't"
Jack opened his lips as if to contra
diet her. I'VE women learn to look
beneath the surface What is it,
JACKIE she continued.
Jack loosened his wife's hand clasp
and walked over to the table.
Nothing. What should l have to
worry about?" He spoke carelessly.
"The morteage:" suggested Echo.
Il paid that off last week." explain
ed Jack.
Echo felt deeply hurt that this news
should have been kept from her by
her husband
You did. and never told me?" she
chided. Where did you get the mon
ey? she inquired
"Why, T. Jack halted. He could
not frame an excuse at once nor in
vent new lie to cover his old sin.
Deeper and deeper he was getting into
the mire of deception.
Echo had arisen from the seat at
was over $4,000, wasn't it," she in
sisted
Something like that" answered
Jack noncommttaily.
We'll, where did you get it?' de-
manded his wife.
AN old debt-a friend of mine-i
loaned linn the money long time ago
and he paid it back-that's all
Jack took drink of water from the
ola to hide his confusion.
"Whc was it:' persisted Echo.
You wouldn't know if | told you
Now. just stop talking business"
1T isn't fair" declared Echo. ''Y0u
share all the good things OF life with
me, and | want TO share some OF your
business worries. | want to stand NJ
share of the bad"
Jack saw he must humCr her.
when the bad comes I'll tell YOU" he
assured her, pattirg her hand.
"You stand between me and the
world You're like a great biz raoun-
tain standing guard over little tree
in the valley, keeping the cold north
wind from treating it too roughly
She sighed contentedly. ''nut the
mountain does it all
Jack looked down tenderly at his
little wife. Her love for him moved
him deeply.
Not at ALL he said to her. THE
little tree grows green and beautiful.
1t casts welcome shade about it, and
the heart of the mountain is made
glad to it's rocky core TO know that the
safety of that little tree is in its keep
ing"
her again and again.
kissing again. shouted Polly from
the doorway. Say, will you two new
er settle Gown to business? There's
Bud Lane an a bunch of others just
come into the corral. Maybe they
want you, Jack"
Jack excused himself. AS he step
ped out on the piazza he asked Polly,
"Shall | send Bud in?"
Let him come in if he wants to.
I'm not sendin' for him. Polly spite
fully turned up her nose at him. Jack
laughed as he closed the door
Echo reseated herself at the piano,
lingering the keys.
How are you getting on with Bud? 2"
she asked the younger girl
I'VE don't get on Il little bit" she
snapped. Bud never seems to collect
much revenue, an we just keep trot-
tin slow-like Wish l was married an
had a home of my own
Aren't you happy with father and
mother?''
Polly glanced at Echo, with a smile.
Lord, yes she replied, lin a way,
but I'm only a poor relation. Your
ma was my mas Cousins cousin or
somethin' like that