Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-13

pleasure in contemplating how nice
she would look in the new suit which
Artemus had promised her; there was
positive suffering in the mental sug-
gestion that she might have to ask
him for the money with which to pay
the bill.
They had left Springbrook on the
6:02 train after an early breakfast.
and all the way to the station in the
rocking, careening old stage Ann Eliza
beth had hoped that her husband
would reach down into his hip pocket
and bring forth the fat brown wal
let in which he kept his money. 1t
would be such a little thing for him
to do-to count out the necessary
money from the roll of bills and give
it to her that she might feel the sat
isfaction of possessing the money for
q short time, for Artemus Clark was
a man who paid all his wife's bills,
and Ann Eliza beth was one OF those
unfortunate wives who never have a
cent OF spending money without asking
for il. As she was too proud to beg
for what she considered rightfully her
own share of the family income Ann
Elizabeth went without many things
until Artemus, ashamed of her shah
biness and in his heart knowing her
reluctance to ask for money, at last
made the suggestion that they journey
to the city and purchase a suit for
Ann Elizabeth.
Not a word about money had Al-
TI,A e-fo do.
in the train he became absorbed in
his newspaper, and so Ann Eliza
beth sat, growing more miserable
every moment until at last they rolled
into the Central station. Half the
pleasure of the journey was lost in the
fact that Artemus had forgotten to
give her the money for her purchases
and she must ask him after all. And
Artemus meant to be the kindest of
husbands. Ann Elizabeth firmly be-
Heved that.
There was a particular store that the
Clarks always traded at when in New
York, and as they approached it now
on the surface car ArtemuS talked Of
this and that and the other thing in
the most careless manner, but not
once did he mention the money for
her suit. Ann Elizabeth remembered
horrible experience she had once
had, when her husband had gone away
and forgotten to give her any money
and left her standing penniless In one
of the shops surrounded by a heap
of unpaid for purchases. Several
hours afterward he had found her
there waiting doggedly for his return.
Here we are!' announced Artemus,
shouldering his way out of the car and
helping his little wife to alight. NOW,
Ann Elizabeth, I don't see why you
can't pick out suit-get just what
you want, and it will please me. I'm
going to take the next car down to
Triangle's to see about a new harness.
Suppose you meet me there at noon
and Wen go somewhere for dinner"
He was moving away careIessly when
Ann Elizabeth clutched desperately at
his coat sleeve.
"Oh, Artemus, haven't you forgotten
something's" she faltered. Surely he
would recollect nowi
Her husband looked down from his
six feet of handsome good naturedness
and smiled. 81 don't recollect, Ann;
what is it?'
Ann EIizabeth's sensitive face flushed
painfully and her gray eyes darkened
until they seemed almost black. She
swallowed her pride and said humbly,
You forgot 10 give me the money for
my suit. Artemus."
Artemus flung back his head and
laughed heartily. BLESS my soul. so 1
did. Why didn't you ask me before,
eh?"
Then it was that Ann Elizabeth Clark
realized that her husband had kept her
waiting purposely; 1t had amused him
to tease her-she, who had not had a
new suit in three years. The tears
came into her eyes and she turned |
away proudly How she would love to |
throw his money back into his hands! |
'T was only having little fun, Ann"
be laughed softly, as ne pulled out his |
wallet and gave to her generously from |
II. There. get what you want. Re |
member you can always have what |
you want If you ask for It,"
A curious look came into AIMS eyes. |
She held the roll Of bills above the /
ground and looked down. "Speak, |
Fido! That's what you mean, don't
you, Artemus?'
Artemus Redeemed uncomfortably. |
ooh. now, Ann, you take it too seri-
ously; 1 didn't mean TO be unkind |
We've been married ten years, and yet
you act just as bashful about asking
ne for money as you did in the begin
ming Don't mind my teasing. VIII
you meet me at Triangle's at noonT'
yes" said Ann coldly, turning away
and entering the shop. She was too
much overcome by the little scene TO
take much pleasure in the selection Of
her new suit. but dominating any pos
sible satisfaction in the purchase there
was a growing feeling Of resentment
toward her husband. To such proper
tons did her dIspleasure arise that she
deliberately purchased most becom-
ing coat and skirt Of rich dark blue, II
IL 90. f.h oil 4