The Nevada County picayune., 1911-06-30

II MVSSG QeDly, lOOhlHg al HIS Wlle. IIlATu He had an impression ISA V GSH that she had spoken and IG G that he, momentarily lost in the intricaeies of the h.
 terstate Tunnel deal, had neglected to answer her.
 What did you say, Sara?' he ask ed But his words were drowned In the roar of a passing Forty-second street car.
 The wheels of the taxicab bounced softly across the car tracks, and the ride home-uptown-w was continued with speed undiminished Little flashes of cold light illuminated the interior of the vehicle in quick succession, thrown by the passing procession Of high-swinging arc lamps, swiftly sill houetting the woman's pure profile against the dark background of cush- ions. Steele watched, for the moment forgetful of the Interstate Tunnel poblem. swelling with the pride of possession.
 By George" he said, with content ed appreciation, "she is beautiful"
 Thank you. dear" she said; T didn't think you'd notice"
 What was it, dear?' he asked. "What was 1t you said while back?"
 "I said with rising infection. She drowned in pretty perplexity, try ing to remember.
 Just as l closed the door," he help ed. T thought you asked a question -I was thinking of something else at the moment"
 "Oh' Of course you were thinking of something else; you are always thinking of something else, Jim" There was a note of petulance in her voice that puzzled him. And that was what l asked It was silly enough -l said, "A penny for your thoughts Extravaganee. for I knew you were thinking of business"
 He felt vaguely that he was being indicted and began clumsily to defend himself
 Yes. You were right Affairs in rather mix up just now, little girl; they bother chap. Important dea, On"
 Always always" she commented, wearily-even a tride bitterly.
 But he did not hear; the bare refer ence to the importance of the tunnel deal had plunged his mind into pro iundity Of calculations.
 While he fumbled with his keys the shiyered noticeably in the brisk ar Of the early morning hours
 Cold, dear?" he asked. reused out or his affairs for the moment
 Smiling up at him. "A wee bit," she confessed, but happy, Jim"
 "Eh?' He stared. Happy"
 Happy" she repeated with low laugh as the door swung open.
 Steele gazed after her, bewildered. while he shot the bolts. Then he fol lowed her upstairs. heavily. Ten min utes later, she looked up from her dressing table to see him standing in the doorway of her boudoir. glowering down upon her. He had exchanged ms dress coat for a quilted smoking packet, his shoes for slippers, and was smoking; she smiled, struck by the grotesque figure he made.
 Well?' she queried. archly. her hands busy with her hair.
 What made you say that, Sara?" ne demanded, bluntly. Her eyes widened
 Say what, Jim?" About being happy. What made you mention 1t? Why are you more happy tonight than any other? Aren't you generally happy, little girl?" she rose, came over to him, kissed nm Then, fumbling with a frog on n's jacket, T was more happy tonight 'nah usually she admitted. 'I sup pose-generally-Tm as happy as I've any right 10 be, dear" don't understand His face showed that plainly. "Why-tonight especially"
 ', because my husband was with me .ioW httle. how very little of your une you give your wife, Jim" Nhy-l-" he stammered awk- saroly' struggling with a totally new before ~ '' oN W '''''' iou are away all day" she went oA@not complaining, but making alm statement of fact-"and every a.snt you are off to the club, or some sue IS here, closeted with you. It's sS0iness, l know. but Why, l aiuiy ever have you to myself, Jim uoNlsht, the opera, the music, the
 sn's' with you-why, 1t was like an h hS to mean oasis in weary, hus- oanuiess desert" She laughed nerv-
 nut-out business-" he tried to snS,'' realizing the justice of her @ mere nothing in life but Wall yon she pleaded. softly. Cant m 1 give 1t up. Jim. before long, for