Mexico weekly ledger., 1910-05-05

paused. But what rood would tina
do me when the hospital fell DOWN."
Think what would have happened
interposed Miriam. III 1t had been full
Of patients. 1t vas good they found
Il out in umei II has to be rebuilt"
But l wouldn't stand for the steal
Chelloner went on in his legitimate
pride. Maybe you know the restg'
he looked up questionlngiy. u went
to Murgatroyd. He did the rest
helped him. Of course, by testifying
and all that sort Of thing. had TO
make good my accusations. But per-
haps Murgatroyd didn't smite those
chaps hip and thigh 1t crippled the
ring. and Murgatroyd did itr'
Good for Murgatroydr calculated
Shirley and then added quickly, with
& blush, Good for pour
"Laurie's in business for himself"
Miriam presently informed her.
yes" answered Challoner enthusi-
astically. I've got a bit Of a reputa.
ton for honesty now. People that
want an honest Job done come to me.
Touu begin to think I'm suffering from
exaggerated ego" be finished, with a
smile.
We'll" said Miriam In justification,
ANY 2 who saves $500 in so short
e tine has q right to blow his own
horn"
4 believe in giving praise whereNSt
Is due" protested her husband. at
was you, my dear, who saved it"
@IY' returned Miriam deprecatingly.
Yes. through priradon," said Chal-
loner.
Miriam sighed with JOY. 1t was good
to have some one appreciate the strug-
gle.
u won't deny" presently she said.
with a smile, that it was rather try
ing at times, but it was a work of love.
and we've succeeded"
Shirley gprang to her feet.
Lawrence Challoner, I'm going to
kiss you. You're the kind Of a man
I'm looking fer" And impulslvely she
made good her word. HI'm proud OF
you," she went on. You're the real
thing; you're 4 SUGGEST"
Laurie drew his wife closer to him.
They are like a pair Of doves" said
Shirley TO herself; then aloud, starting
to the door; Miriam, I'm going to FIX
up for dinner. / hope we're going to
have a dozen courses. I'm starved"
When the door closed Miriam rose
and started for the kitchen.
Miriam, girl" said Challoner gen
tly, what have you been hiding from
me for the past few weeksT'
Hiding
He pointed toward the closet.
what have you been putting away
there every night for the last few
weeks? What is in that closet nowT'
Miriam hesitated She asked trem-
blingly:
do you really want to know
YES" he answered in the same tone.
Miriam stepped to the closet, fun
bled there among some things and, re-
turning, thrust something into his
hands.
AA[NH rue cdlIs DlueuHE- /
Challoner held it up, looked at 1t a
moment and finally said, with Just q
inge OF suspicion in his voice:
This tiny dress-whatY he looked
Il bis wife stupidity, and after a time
added: why, Miriam, you never
Old ne A little child for you and
neTn
Yes. Laurie" she whispered softly.
Acting upon impulse he cuddled the
'arnent down into the crook Of his
rn and held II there.
"A child-for me-" be unused. After
moment he looked up and exclaimed:
| wonder. II It is given to man to ap-
reciate thoroughly the anticipation Of
iotherhood-the hours given to fash
ming little garments like this! Yet
seems TO me now that / could work
'rever for He broke OF abruptly,
ute overcome.
Miriam raj deeply touched.
Never fear. dear, there will be pIen-
Of responsibility for you later on"
Then Shirley poked her bead in
AtAhA NIt ADyE dHl EdAieQs
Miriam, the potatoes are burningt"
Miriam left the room hastily. leaving
stroking the small garment.
"a father Of a child" be unused.
is good TO be a father-a good ia
err" He dropped at the table and
Iried his face in his arms. But when
raised his head again there were
airs in his eyes.
"A little child for me-and | shot
argraves." he moaned.
came back into the room. At
she realized what was going
in bis mind. She placed her hand l
Fectionately OF his shoulder and with 0
nderness said: E
Don't you think any more about z
at Laurie. You're q new man now" =
Il haven't thought Of it for five =
cried challoner 6ercely. 81
vent dared to think Of 1t! / haven't /.
d time to think Of itg' He paused u
moment. then suddenly went on: 8
'ut now ! have got 10 think about p
I'm going to be a father" He D
'N wi AdiBidFts, 1 can See
N now as he put up his arm"
'Don'tw Miriam pleaded. Forget I
dearr'
1 can't forget iti7 be returned.
Is oil before me now." lie glared \
o space as a man might who Wit
ssed before his very eyes some con- le
t. u can see It now-just as it hap
nedP Ii
lie caught her arm roughly and q
ed In a loud voice.
Miriam, Miriam! Listen, dear, / in
see 1t now-just as it happened W
n you stand II, dear? be
What is itT' asked his young wife th
milling with horror. OF
'halloner gripped her arm.
! did not kin Richard Hargravesr' NJ
cried in sudden Joy. mo. ! did not pu
hini7 lie
iiriam tried to soothe him. do
No." evidently under great excite as
ut. Il did not kill him. Five years
everything was muddled. Life sil
a muddle then. and on that night
3radlebaugh's everything was hazy. an
VnnWrr 4Efa n. afn.. -. ~. -.