The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1910-01-06
PAID IN FULL
John w. Harding
Copyright. 1903. b. G. " Diilins-
ham Co.

lob yet awhile she told him. The
captain said he would overlook It and
that it wouldn't make any difference
Her husband looked ut her in aston
ishment. half incredulous.
HE said that?"
"Yes. and I'm glad It's turned out az
It has. for how we'd manage II you
were out of work just now goodness
knows. l don'tl'
Just how did he put it,"
HE said he was almighty sorry fol
what had occurred, that be knew be
had been hard at times and that as
far as your place and We were con
cerned there would be no change"
Brooks relief showed In his face.
well. that knocks me-" he comment
ed. Nobody else ever bucked W
against him and got of scot free ]
can't understand It. Did your mother
put in word for me?"
NO"
Then it's you who must have pull
He died right down when you spoke
to him. | never would have believed
such thing. II you had been mar
standing there In front Of him he'd
have smashed you. Darn II. | won.
der who's ringing now? Can't b.
Jimsy; he hasn't had time to get to the
street at the gait be goes"
He went to the head Of the stairs
and met a messenger boy who was
bearing letter and had received In
structions to walt for an answer.
"Surew he exclaimed Joyfully u be
perused the missive. ~Tickled tc
death! Go and get your things on,
Emma. It's from Beatrice Langley
and Willie Ferguson. willie's giving
a sort Of theater party, and they want
us to 20 with them. There's going tc
be little supper afferward."
She shook her head.
'sTell them we can't CO."
aCan't go. Why not?"
Il simply cant"
81 don't see why"
swell, then. / won't: 20 there! You'd
better make some excuse"
write II yourself, then" he said,
irritated and deeply disappointed I'm
not going to lie to them"
Without another word she fetched
some writing material. indited the
note and sent II OF by the messenger
whats the matferr Are you sore
over what happened tonightY be de-
manded sulkily.
"No, I'm not sore. Joe"
Then whv can't you goy'
Because I can't. That's air.
Il think you might. II you didn't
want to go yourself you might have
accepted for my FAKE. never get
any amusement. and you're always
complaining
"when do complain. and OF whatf'
ITS the selfish way you act. ! mean.
for. once we get a chance TO 60 and
see a decent show and afferward have
a supper party. you get sore. You
simply don't want to 60. You haven't
any consideration for me"
Burning with indignation. she went
up to him and forced him 10 look her
In the face.
"you say have no consideration
for you she said. You know a,
well as I do why ! can't 90. I haven'l
had new dress In q year. My gloves
are all worn OFT I've skimped and
struggled and economical until I cam
\ Dc any more. I'd 60 to the theatel
n could 60 alone or with you Of
with JImsy and hide somewhere In fhs
corner. but do you think I want to 70
TO party looking like a kitchen maid
My shoes are cracked Everything 4
secondhand and old and ugly. And
look at me. Do you know what's hap
pened to met I've grown common
and coarse and cheap. Sometimes
when ] look az myself In the glass !
seems ss though ! could see the dir
and the grease and the borrid nasti
ness Of II all staring me right In tn
} face. Why don't GOT Tn ashamed
that's all. And you make II harder
II has almost reached my limit Of en-
durance."
She turned from him. tears Of vexs
ton and humiliation In her eyes.
As she did 20 Smith, the peaeemakeI
entered. He had arrived In time b
hear the last part Of the confession
that had been forced from her By be
husbands injustice and selnshness.
Emma" be said soothingiy. ''ther
amt no use In making Joe feel wors
than be does. He works like the devil
but somehow Joe wasn't built eracfl
lucky. He Is one Of those fellows Tx
I used 70 know In Colorado who spen,
all their lives looking for gold min
and never quite ind one. But joe
all right. and just 10 make this event
full sort Of evening end up nicely IN
going 70 bike 10 the best show IN towr
. ana you two are going 10 hit my fra'
while dig up the necessary sponduIIc
10 defray any and all expense incurred
including slight and select grub stak
after the entertainment. Now. wha
do you think Of fhstY'
Brooks. who bad been listening b
his wife and friend sullenly. was filles
with q sudden resolve.
\ mo, you won'tF' he said tempessu
ously. Il Amt going 20 be an objec
Of charity. I'm ~ sick and tired o.
this whole business a. she H. Emma
you put on the best dress you've 70