Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1910-01-14

when do complain. and of what?'
Its the selfish way you act, mean,
for. once we get a chance to go and
see decent show and afterward have
a supper party. you get sore. You
simply don't want to go. You haven't
any consideration for me"
Burning with Indignation, she went
up to him and forced him to look her
in the face.
You say have no consideration
for you" she said. you know as
well us do why can't go. haven't
had new dress in year. My gloves
are all worn out. I've skimped and
struggled and economical until can't
&c any more. I'd go to the theater
if | could so alone or with you or
with Jimsy and hide somewhere in the
corner. but do you think | want to go
to Il party looking like Il kitchen maid?
Ny shoes are cracked Everything is
secondhand and old and ugly. And
look ut me. Do you know what's hap
pened to me? I've grown common
and coarse and cheap. Sometimes
when | look at myself in the glass it
seems as though could see the dirt
and the grease and the horrid nasti-
ness of ii all staring me right in the
| face. Why don't go? I'm ashamed,
| that's all. And you make it harder.
1t has almost reached my limit of en-.
DURANGO"
She turned from him. tears of vexa-
tion and humiliation in her eyes.
| AS she did so Smith, the peacemaker,
entered He had arrived in time to
hear the last part of the confession
that had been forced from her by her
husbands injustice and selfshness.
Emma" he said soothingly. there
amt no use in making Joe feel worse
than he does. He works like the devil,
but somehow Joe wasn't built exactly
lucky. He is one of those fellows like
! used to know in Colorado who spend
all their lives looking for !; gold mine
and never quite find one. But Joe's
all right. and just to make this event
full sort of evening end up nicely I'm
going to hike to the best show in town.
and you two are going to hit my trail
willie dig up the necessary spondulics
"
including a slight and select grub stake
after the entertainment. Now. what
do you think of that?"
Brooks, who had been listening to
his wife and friend sullenly. was filled
with a sudden resolve.
mo, you won't!' he said tempeStu-
ously. Il amt going to be an object
ob, cit cio nd Of
this whole business as she is. Emma.
YOU put on the best dress you've got
and fix yourclf up the best you can,
and Ill take you to a show, and If
.Iinlsy wants to come he can come as
my guest. I'm still q man. and it's
Just as right should take care of my
wife and let her have Il little fun as it
is for the Astors and Nanderbilts and
all of them to spend money on their
families. I'm going to do it. and l
don't care whether can afford it or
not can find a way all right. Hurry
up. Emma!'
Mrs. Brooks would much rather have
stayed at home. She was worn out
. with the constant quarrelins and ex-
she did not want to be accused of con-
trariness. SO she said:
IF YOU think we can really afford It
I'd like to go haven't seen a show
in nearly y year. Do you think I'd
better go. .Iimsy?"
why. surely. my girl" was Smiths
, reply There's no use Of sticking
, around here all the time and getting
into more rows. Go ahead!'
"Then III hurry and get ready" she
; said. Fastening to her room.
Brooks had seated himself and was
gazing before him with determined
. expression. his hands clasped between
his knees. Smith went to him and
rendered bill to him.
;, Joe" he said kindly. you'd better
let me slip you the ten that will be
; necessary to pay for this business
: You know Emma don't need to know
and you amt got the coin to blow In
Eyes. | have" he asserted pushing
the note from him. land I'll pay for il
myself"
"All right. Joe. But. take my tip
when you go into the borrowing bust
ness you'd better borrow from the fel
low who knows he's giving it to yol
and amt in hurry to get 1t back"
y "Look here Jimsy!" exclaimed
= Brooks hotly. jumping up. Don't 20,
butt into my business. It's none o
= your affair! And. by the way. i
might be just as well to remind yol
. that Emma's my wife-my wife, yol
hear? She married me, no one else
JUST me-although I've been told sh
had other chances at the time"
Smith gaZed at him without an,
trace of offense. but with look o
}. pain In his eyes.
I'm sorry you said that. joe" h
'. answered In his slow. quiet voice
:. Yes. | know Emma's your wife an
that she chose you after | asked he
70 be mine, and 1t is just because