The new era., 1910-12-22

herself swept off the piano stool and installed
where on the rounded arm of big easy chair
she had little more liberty of movement than
that of swinging her feet naughtily and rebel
liously. while her husband questioned her.
What book you reading so intently
this afternoon when | came upon you in the
corridor? Let me see it?"
"Shant." CA time). "Oh, you coward! Be-
cause you are strong! shall go Toto"
Where? To whom?" said Harry. easily.
ITO my-to Aunt Laetitia.'
"She wouldn't have you, child" laughed her
husband, land besides, she would charge you
board-which l should have to pay!"
well, would pay 1t out of my own mon
ey-there!"
What own money!"
MY house money!"
You forget Mrs. Norris sMoore," said her
husband, gravely, 'if you run away you
wouldn't have any house money!"
Then in burst, he shook her, ooh you
great baby" he cried make up. Bring the
book! 1t was volume of your diary. l knew
by the lock. I'll show you mine. Fair ex-
change! Off with you!'
Well come with me- then" said Clara.
holding out her hand, "but don't you think I'm
giving In. It's only yielding to brute force. My
spirit is unconquered."
Never mind your spirit" said her lord.
fetch the book!"
And in these books the greater and the
lesser, they read late into the night.
And this what they found.
christmas eve'"- said Clara. begin
there!"
And she paused, waiting, with her finger
in its place.
"Oh." said her husband 81 don't think there
is much!"
and you call yourself writer!"
We'll. shall l begin?" Clara all on
pins and needles now. She could hardly keep
still. The quarrel was forgotten.
"'Christmas eve (she read). "A dull day
Paid calls in the lane-Went to Margaret's.
Baby is adorable and Tom begins to love me
and calls Aunty deear. Came home by
Grants and brought back fruit for dinner.
There is coming. friend OF fathers
1t is horrid nuisance"
Here Clara Moore broke off suddenly.
"Oh, wrote everything fresh. you
wanted to remember You've no idea how bad
my memory used to be in those days Being
married helps. One has to remember ones
iniquities."
"'Set in a notebook, learned and conned by
rCte,' murmured Harry.
His wife stopped and looked severely at
him. rasta.
We'll" she said. 'I did write lot, know,
and yours is no fair exchange. l did 1t partly
as an exercise you see, for considered
very good at composition at school, whatever
you may think. Besides, don't believe you
nave anything in that book at ALL"
"Oh yes-I have!" and he fourished a
closely written page of memoranda before her
eyes.
WELL" she said, with sigh (and her eyes
we're dim and dstant), II will read-though
lever thought to let anyone see-not even you.
But since you have been SO horrid to me- l
WILL
1t seemed an odd reason, but Harry wisely
lodded. Clara futtered leaves thought
ully where shall go on?" she asked, knit
ing her brows
"You did begin from the beginning" he
miled as he spoke. why not continue?'
She glanced up with sudden shyness almost
s he spoke, why not continue?"
She glanced up with sudden shyness al
most like a surprised Eve.
you were saying that it was horrid null
ance having come to dinner" said Harry
1oore, did you change your mnd?"
Here it is said his wife, running her eye
own the columns of close-knit writing "11:00
J.. n.y. He is gone. 1t not horrid after
IL. But | think he likes Edith best. He is
ig and badly dressed. Why can't writers and
rtistic people dress humanity? He had on the
unniest tie | ever saw. and beard. and he
ame in a big gray cloak like one Of Millet's
But he talked--yes 1t was worth