El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-03-08
BY Bertha Deane-Freeman.


- u waving q final goodbye to the
childish little wife at the window
without crumDled rose-leaf in the
world. Who so fortunate as he?
Now by an unexpected move, all was
swept away.
He was returning to her-a beggar
in prospective. one of the unemployed
He had a hazy remembrance of the
words of his chief. His work had not
been giving satisfaction Of late; he
was careless; we'll. perhaps, inefficient.
In any case, it was found necessary
to reduce the staff, and, in short, they
would be compelled to dispense with his
services.
He was ruined. Upon the strength
o. this employment he had married.
They had saved nothing were even in
debt, and almost penniless.
He pulled himself together with q
fierce mental effort, while the rain
trickIed over his hat orim and leaked
inside his coat collar. What prospects
had they?
He had no head for business. being
merely a muscular athlete, dull wittei
rather than brilliant No one would
be over-anxious to give him lucrative
post. He had few friends, none in
fluentiaL He was not even upon good
terms with his wife's people. The hasty
marriage and migration to London had
nightly displeased the simple country
folk while the offending couple had
made no attempt to repair the breach.
In the insolent arrogance of love they
had proved all-sufficient, each to the
other His peopleinlaW had prophe-
sled a speedy downfall; they would re-
fuse to benefit him through their
daughter. he felt sure. 1t would be
good for her if he were out of the way.
To one quarter they had once laugh
ingly looked in optimistic moments.
An Australian uncle OF hers had seen
fit to approve of the hot-headed couple,
and had cabled his congratulations.
The little wife had often prattled. in
soaring day-dreams, of sailing across
the seas to seek him and share his
golden fortunes. But the colonist had
taken no further notice Of them.
He YEARLY fingered the shillings in
his pocket.
Her first disappointment would meet
her when he crossed the threshold Size
would upbraid him iestingly for having
forgotten her flowers, the bouquet ne
had procured for her upon his return
Journey every day since they had set
up housek eeping together. She Woulu
be hurt. too. at the mark Of neglect
striving to hide the tears in her eyes.
money that might serve to stave of
starvation from her Nevertheless ne
turned round and doggedly retraceo
his steps to the florists he had passed
X
She had never known him to be SO
1a.e-and had never been so impatient
for his coming. She fitted from one
window to another, poutlns at the
slanting and glistening umbrellas; at
the kansoms that jingled by without
ever slackening speed before the house.
ne had not carried an umbrella that
morning. but it did not matter lie
wo,,Id. of course, take a cab She knew
bis views upon false economics-a cap
in wet weather, rather than ruiheu
clothes. he urged.
There was dainty little tea-taole
lurking behind an artificial PAIN She
could not take her tea without hlIl'
they having established an un"
NV about such trivialities, but she
. - nacaroons as she prepared
sario1e lecture with which to greet
~, # was too bad that he should be
Iate when her great surprise was
+remhIing upon her tongue-and DuTn-
ing a hole in her pocket
noetn,an from Fairyland had de-
,i,erad If half an hour ago; 30 Wnoie,
minutes she had possessed TINS won
derful thing. o,,+
L want you and the lad TO come oue
to me. I have billet LOT nlli@ taU
,-o,,~l,ing if. mind you My day iot
+I,o+ Sc mast" had written the austria
lion mole. in his iaborious. ineglpie'
.o,tgb+fI,l scrawl. Furthermore, bank
notes to the extent OF 100 pounus
.,,s+Iad rnusically in the envelope. What
s,,rnrise What an opening vista OF
restaurant dinners, theater, ana "eeA-
end excursions.
The important holder OF worIoiy
wealth-lacker of worldly "iS',4r7
,oedita+ed upon revenge as she waited
r. -to,,ld lust have to make one nun
- o,7esses before hearing her sur
She was helping herself to another
,,,ocs room when the sound of the iatch
l-ev in the door reached her ears.
only a pale glimmer of day fingered
IN the March evening. 1t penetratea
not AT ali into the tiny hall, Tor WhlcA
the man entering was devoutiy thahh-
full. net for
Don't touch me. 1 am too wet TOT
your pretty frock.'
He held his dripping hat in one hand
the other diving into some inner re-
ceptacle of his coat
you walked home2"
s.yes Here are your flowers
kept them from rain, you see. l shan
be glad of cup of tea when get my
Jacket on. I shan't be very long
She took the violets, stepping PACK
eingerly from the region of the rain
drops that every moment shook from
him.
And YOU have already developed
sore throat" she said severely; there
is croak in your voice.
When he descended with a heavy
foot she was busted in making ms tea
Her violets scented the room.
The previous two hours had lett
their mark on him, but he was reprieVed
from questions by the failing light
How should he tell her-how prepare
her for the worst?
His silence striking her, she moved
softly to his side
"All work and no play is making you
quite a dull boy. Now listen, I am go
ing to cheer you up
She gaily rustled the bank notes
concealed behind her back.