The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1909-12-31

have an excellent class OF patIOhS'
they want the best and are willing TO
pay for it, and am glad ] can give
it to them. SO not word more on
that score, If you please"
Tears sprang into Emily's eyes.
.'YOu are good man, Robert Hard
en-, and one day I hope you'n get your
reward, she faItered.
Il have 1t now, Emily" he said gent
'ly, "in The knowledge that can be OF
service to a good woman and loyal
wife,
Once week Emily took her com.
pIeted work to the store and received
her money Bob offered to send for
the articles and have the materials
delivered; but she preferred to carry
the bundle herself, heavy as it was.
She could take no risks. Tom, in his
weak and nervous state, must not find
out what she was doing certainly not
for whom she was working, for he had
a jealous temper. She put him off
with some subterfuge when he asked
about her continual sewing, and ac-
customed to seeing her busy, he had
not troubled much about it. He did,
however, notice that she left him alone
at a certain hour every Saturday even
ing, and with a sick mans peevish-
ness, he resented it.
The tables were turned now. Emily
no longer waited for him now, and
he painfully dragged himself to the
window to watch for her return. She
never dreamed that he would leave
the couch. Twice he had seen her
come home accompanied by a man.
The third time he recognized in him
Bob Harden, the man of all others
he had once hated and feared as a
rival She had gone out to meet
Harden! His Emily! He could hardly
believe his eyes.
In the old days Tom would have
raved and stormed; but sickness had
subdued him. He thought of Emily's
trials, how bravely she had struggled
with adversely. Had she married Har-
den she would have escaped all this,
and he told himself he had spoiled her
life. He pretended to be asleep when
she came in, but he brooded over the
matter all the week, and when she
went out again the following Saturday
he set his teeth in grim determination.
He thought of what life would be to
her with Bob, who was prosperous and
well, compared with what it had been
for the last few months with him; and
he might continue to be drag upon
her. Even if he recovered what would
life be worth without Emily's love?
Without him, she would be better off.
Well, he could easily put himself out
of the way The thought came again
and again she would be better off
he could do it. It would be no sin
to take his life out of love for another.
He would do it.
Half dragging himself along, half
crawling, he reached his dresser, felt
for the revolver hidden there, and took
it out cautiously, wondering grimly
why he was SO careful. Did he not
intend to do by design what there
was danger of his doing accidentally?
But there must be no bungling," he
told himself as he fixed his gaze upon
the shining muzzle. Would she know
he did this thing for her?
For a moment he dropped on his
knees, murmuring an incoherent pray
ed. Then painfully he drew himself
erect in front of the mirror. At that
moment baby's voice and baby's
laugh came from behind him, and a
little form stood in the doorway. The
father saw his boy without turning,
and his arms fell Imply by his side.
Bursting into tears he caught him to
his breast.
Il can't do it! can't leave my
child" he cried.
The little arms stole around his
neck, and the baby hands played with
his beard.
1t was thus Emily found them a few
moments later. Her fears were aroused
at the sight OF the revolver flung care
lessly on the table.
!. "Tomoh, Tom, what does this
mean?" she cried.
In his weakness he was almost glad
to confess.
"Oh, my poor boy, how could you
doubt me or wrong so kind friend?
If, Mr.. Harden hadn't given me work
we could not have kept shelter above
our heads"
You've been working for him? Is
that all?" exclaimed Tom, his face sud
denly becoming radiant.
eyes. and he maid me generously. /