Arizona republican., 1910-07-05

and moment later the maid brought the letters
 There were two-one for John from the steamship company, one in large official envelope for herself Inns she tore open and some papers dropped When she had examined them once over-then twice--she leaned back in the chair again trying to think It seemed to her that the air had become rather close Presently she sat up quite straight then suddenly hurried out into the hall where she put her coat and hat moment later she was in the open street
 When John Chatwood reached home that evening he did not look like a man who was glad to come
 Ills countenance did the resigned look of one TOT whom the worst Is over His depression of the morning may have been less marked but something mat was more like fear hang-dog lock of guilt had taken Its place He drew long breath of .ief when ne saw that Mary was not there welcome him. but she came Tn Just then and he prepared for the cyclone
 HOW wonderfully cheerful she was She was singing like young girl she laid of her things in the hall He grew almost bitter in the reflection that she could be so happy in what might have cost him so much More than all was he overwhelmed with the burden or imminent confession. It seemed to him that he could not 1ace her-not yet He must slip out-and then suddenly she had rushed in and grabbed him about the neck and hugging him and calling him dear old John, her dear old, foolish John in the regular old-time way And this made it hard oh very hard for John, considering what he had to confess All at once she caught his face in her hands and looked him straight in the eyes. 70;
 Why" she said, "why don't you be happy? know you must be glad, now it's all over and we're going oil so soon. Just think, sail tomorrow Our first morning at sea will be Christmas That is the finest Christmas present l could have The very finest in the world, except for you be happy. Why don't you be happy, John? Happy for my sake, anyway"
 He grew shade paler; his tongue clove to his mouth. When he opened his lips scarcely anything issued therefrom
 Mary, he managed to say at last, "Mary-we-thas 1s-lm afraid, Mary, we've can't go after al-uot this time, Mary"
 She drew away from him. as in great astonishment
 Can't go Why, John, what do you mean? Of cour,e we can go. Wasn't that what the sale was for?" Then, in changed tone, "Oh John, do you mean that they went too iow-that your cages didn't bring enough to take us! had a presentment that they might do that! did, John early this morning-perhaps it was communication-telepathic you know It was just after you left But go cheap, dear We can use what they did bring"
 Heavens, how hard she made it for guilty man
 Mary he groaned they did go low, ridicuously low, though that's the-reason-that is-the only reason, l mean. No bidders were there hardly-one man, Lawson-you know. the deaer-got them all every one, for-for-'
 Ndi, JOhl, Ve got another preSentment-COnn- munication, l mean-let me guess what they brought That man Lawson bought those cages for another party He got them all, every for she named figure that caused John Chatwood's jaw to drop in wonder
 "Maryl" he gasped, "is it in the evening paper?"
 Why. no John, not that know of l haven't seen the evening paper"
 He stared at her longer. How gay -and happy she looked in the face of all his misery What did 1t mean? There something unreal almost uncanny about her behavior; and how had she known those figures?
 Mary, he began with effort Tiff you know that much, then maybe youiknow the rest Maybe you know that couldn't see them go for that-I just couldn't Mary, and that rbought them back Mary"
 He had hardly known what he expected her to do or say She did nothngtat all but look him in that wild queer way. Then, ,very slowly,
 "Yes, John, and you, paid-you bought them back from Lawson for" agshn she named sum that held him transfxed and silent. Then suddenly, she flung her about hmionce more and drew his head down close.
 John Chatwood," she said you old fraud don't you think you oughtito be ashamed to pay me than ten per cent, puoht on a bargain like that?"
 When he got free he stared at her dazed
 "You? he gasped, You! Paid you-ten per cent. Who paid you ten per cent }"
 Why, you did, John. That is, you paid Lawson, Il about those cages, John, just as said It frightened me awtuly and then just at that minute the mail and what should be in it but letter wah the settle ment ot Uncle Chester's They had closed it up, at last and the checque and al for my part, right there Tn the letter didn't wait second, John, or not much more than that. I'd been wondering all the week what could get you for Christmas and this seemed my chance 1 knew 1 couldn't stop the sale, but got down to Lawsons and told hin, buy those cages no matter what they cost l was going to give them to you, John every one of then-T really meant to-but when found that I could sell them to you when Lawson telephoned that you would buy them all back and pay me ten per cent. my investment-l. couldn't resist, John really couldn't Of course you'll have to pay ;he auctoneers commission too, suppose, but after all 1t doesn't very much a small like that, especially when we're happy and going to have such beautiful voyage and such a merry Christmas at sea You happy. aren't you, John9 You are glad. now you're going? I'm going 10 pay for the trip, you know. That's my present to you.
 And John Chatwood confessed in the funess of that rare joys which is tempered with humiliation, that he was perfectly happy, and su9remely glad.