The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1911-01-26

three times what you are getting
now. Why? Because | like you? No.
sir! Because you are worth it," He
leaned back in his chair, regarding
the other with a wide stare as if
to say, There you have the whole
matter"
Il wanted to finish this work here
that I've begun said Wallace look
ing a the floor. It's going to be
tremendously important to the coun-
try l."
That's it," exclaimed Fanshawe
viciously. There's the world, me!
myself, Think of that, Where do
YOU come in? But thunder! If you're
going to"
Wait" interrupted Wallace,
squaring his jaw. L was going to say
that in spite of all reasons such as
they are-that might keep me here,
this time" He looked up.
His wife stood in the doorway.
i've put the children to bed,
said she, and now | can sit down
a moment"
The congressman arose awkward
ly.
Il just couldn't help catching
scraps of your talk she Went on,
seating herself on the edge of the
chair in the manner of one who
must soon get up again. She looked
toward her husband anXiously: then
toward their guest. You seemed
to be discussing how poorly paid
the government service is, but you
won't urge my husband to leave it,
Mr.. Fanshawe?'
For the first time the congress
man found himself looking into her
steady brown eyes; he was shrewd
enough to meet the situation broad
side. That is just what I've been
doing" said he with a sharp laugh
Mrs. Wallace laughed too. and
that is why | came in she said
easily. Il have heard very nearly
all that has been said. | couldn't
help it." She brushed a lock of hair
from her forehead. q don't want to
have my husband make "a change
now. j think it is his duty to stay
here. Perhaps you think | should
not hasten to say this now Per
haps you will not like me for it?"
"Oh, my, no." stammered Fan
shave.
He was sharp enough to see, hav-
ing met her in contest, that he had
made a mistake in her importance.
She was a partner; she spoke with
the confidence of partner. The
Westerner at once assumed the po
sion of talking to both members of
the firm.
Mrs. Wallace" he said. "an op-
portunity is an opportunity If you
have heard what | said to your hus-
band-my old friend-you will know
what / think about his opportunities
here in Washington" He leaned for.
ward toward her
I'VE have often talked of them"
said Wallace, addressing his wife
with a note of affection in his voice.
Often" said she. Il know that
there is not any chance of advance
ment We are not in politics." She
smiled. and he gets so little that
we cannot save anything-scarcely
nothing"
And there is no particular honor
that is, no reward of that klnd?"
Fanshawe added interrogatively.
Perhaps not" admitted the wife
cheerfully.
In another place outside-such
as i offer, Mrs. Wallace-you could
be Independent, if may say so
And even If the material things
or whatever you ,call em-the
bhihSo lhdA sOu OhIl DuN WIN lhOl-
ey don't appeal to you, then there's
this-the children. / suppose you'd
want the children 10 nave them"
Fanshawe imagined that he had
touched a sensitive spot
"Oh, | like them myself" said
Mrs. Wallace. Il like them and
want them as much as the average
woman. think they are very tempt
ing"
"Oh, you deserve them" said the
congressman sincerely. though he
used the insncere diction of a man
who is used to insincerity You
deserve them now-when youth is
still with you. You must not be
tired out at the beginning"
He noticed again how weary were
her eyes. how listless, except in mo-
ments of tension were her hands.