The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1910-01-06

why, MARY Nhiiu' "hNS
trouble?"
Il came here--beCause am
wretched" sobbed Mary. who had
even then made n proud resolve to
hold her peace "Oh. Anne, you are
always so strong and brave, be sorry
for me! Gene has quite forgotten
little Junior, and he does not stay In
the house a minute more than he has
to, and | don't know where he goes
evenings He leaves me alone!
could stand II II thought he was mis-
cradle, too, or cared AT all, but he Is
just Indifferent" The other woman
was looking curiously at the lovely
worn face OF her girlhood friend, look.
ing at her with understanding pity.
IT'S a queer matter, marriage Is,
Anne replied with seeming irreley.
ance. ITS matter of constant civ.
ing-givinE love, whether you see 1t
returned or not, whether you can see
that II is deserved or appreciated or
not II is a matter Of steady holding
to love and to nothing else. ! came
out here to make myself give what is
part of the allinclusive home love
i mean forgive even where forgive.
ness Is not asked? II will be hard,
but It is lesson women have to
master, my dear. am older than
you'll was born older" She stopped
and wiped away her own tears. Mary
chung to her.
ooh. Anne must tell you, and you
will think me wicked am going TO
leave him! can't endure things any
| longer! There must be separation
Anne took her friend by the shoul.
| ders and whirlcd her face to the moon
light.
You love your husband" she said,
"and love does not know such a word
as separation" That-llttle grave
you think he has forgotten binds you
| always together! Forgive me- Mary.
! but do you know you have had no
right to make his house oternally
! house Of death? lie has right TO
life aud happiness, and through you.
! And-is Il either right or possible 20
| Judge another heart? Shall tell you
how many evenings he has sat In
my little kitchen holding one Of my
babics?' Mary looked at her as in a
dream. Suppose that, after all. Eu.
gene did care
do you suppose | haven't a grave
there. too, Mary" she continued But
my tears are In secret Shall we let
the dead rob the living? Shall |
deny love- comfort shall ! deny even
Joy and n happy face to the ones
who are left me because one Is gomez
The women. hand in hand. had
turned back on the path and were
coming 10 the Hollow. Presently they
came to hnnos house Mary would
have passed on. but her friend pulled
her through the little gate and toward
window whence came the cheerful
light Of big lamp.
"Com"-look in and see what you
see. Mary Many evenings It has
been like this--and have wondered
that you could let another home than
your own attract your own. Forgive
me for saying this. Look"
Jack Martin reading his paper, his
stocking feet on the seat of a chair
before him sat near the table Little
Jack was on his knee The kett
steamed on the bright stove, and
great black cat slept on n red cushion
But these things were as nothing. on
the sofa sat Eugene Goodwin his coat
} Of. the two littlcst Martins Struggled
= into his arms. the year.old babe sleep
ing. the other her curly head on his
shoulder. laughingly delighted. Ht
, was talking, telling story. Rendinp
nearer yet. Eugene's wife heard the
? end of the old. old story Of the Three
Bears. Never before had she wep'
| over that story. But her tears were
kind washing away anger, resent
ment, loneliness. Anne whispered Il
, her ont of the sweetness of her grea
; heart;
Z. Men, especially husbands. are moth
2 ing but big children. He is miserable
4 because he thinks you don't love him
D He misses the child as much as you
4 but man.gricf IL different from woman
grief--lt hides itself. You must ALLOW
4 for that. He always wants my baby
!. and I let him have her though sh,
Q should be in bed. Come in, dear
p won't yOu?" Mary shrank back
n Should she let him think she caret
r where he went, that she had FOLLOWED
r him-that she needed him? He
e friend. being wise, OWNED he
= thought
J. did mere pride ever bring an.
S woman happiness, Nary" Her quef
o ton was gentle, but It struck home
y Mary followed Anne Martin in.
:, Eugene Goodwin looked up in ute
n establishment, but his wife met hi
T. eyes with smile.
u Don't get up, dear" she salt
When you are quite ready wi
d walk home with you" But he ros
o and put the baby In its mother
q arms.
IS On the way home. going up the II
u tie path in the moonlit freshness, FL
gene Goodwin drew his wife yer
d close to him. And they said nothin
p at all, but the silence was good,
n was the peaceful silence OF mutual vi