The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1911-07-20
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into your mind that I'm doing it for
his fathers sake"
At that moment Howard entered
from the inner room. He was sur
prised to see DIR. Bernstein.
How do you feel to-day?" asked the
doctor.
First rate! Oh, I'm all right. You
see, I'm just going to eat a bite. Won't
you join us?"
He sat down at the table and picked
up the newspaper, while Annie busted
herself with carrying In the dishes.
mo, thank you" laughed the doctor
ITS too early for me. I've only just
had breakfast. l dropped in to see
how you WERE" Taking UP his bag
he said: "Good-by! Don't get up. |
can let myself out"
But Annie had already opened the
door for him, and smiled farewell
When she returned to her seat at the
head of the table, and began to pour
out the coffee, Howard said:
He's a pretty decent fellow, isn't
he?"
Eyes," she replied, absent-mindedly
as she passed cup OF coffee.
HE made monkey of Capt. Gin
ton all right" went on Howard. "Whai
did he come for?"
ITO see you--of course" she re-
piled.
ooh, I'm all right now" he replied
Looking anxiously at his wife across
the table. he said: You're the one
that needs tuning up. / heard you
crying last night. You thought l was
asleep, but wasn't. didn't say any
thing because-well-I felt kind OF
blue myself"
Annie sighed and leaned her head
on her hand. YEARLY she said:
81 was thinking over all that we've
been through together, ard what
| they're saying about us"
Howard threw down his newspaper
| impatiently.
Let them say what they like. Why
should we care as long as we're
happy?"
His wife smiled sadly.
Are we happy?" she asked, gently
"Of course we are" replied How
ard.
She looked up and smiled. II was
good to hear him say so, but did he
mean it? Was she doing right tc
stand in the way of his career? Would
he not be happier If she left him? He
+, was too loyal to suggest it, but per
| haps in his heart he desired It. Look
ing at him tenderly, she went on:
81 don't question your affection fol
me, Howard. believe you love me
but I'm afraid that, sooner or later
you'll ask yourself the question al
your friends are asking now, the cues
ton everybody seems TO be asking.
What question:" demanded How
ard
Yesterday the bell rang and a gen
tleman said he wanted to see you.
told him you were out, and he sait
I'd do Just as well. He handed me 3
card. On 1t was the name of the news
paper he represented"
"Well?"
"Ee asked me If it were true thai
proceedings for a divorce were abou
to be instituted. If so, when? Ant
could give him any information OF
the subject? l asked him who wanted
the information and he said the read
ers of his paper-the people, believ,
he said over million of them. JUS
think, Howard! Over a million PEG
pie, not counting your father, you
friends and relations, all waiting t,
know why you don't get rid of me
why you don't believe me to be as ba(
as they think I am"
Howard raised his hand for he
to desist.
"Annie-please!" he pleaded.
That's the fact, isn't it?" sh'
laughed.
NO"
His wife's head dropped on the table
She was crying now.
I've made a hard fight, Howard,
she sobbed, but I'm going to give up
I'm through-Pm through"
Howard took hold of her hand ant
carried it to his lips.
Annie, old GIRL" he said, with SOM
feeling, Il may be weak, I may b.
blind, but nobody on top of Gods greer
earth can tell me that you're not tn,
squarest, straightest little woman tina
ever lived! l don't care damn wha
one million or eight million think
Surprising you had received letter
from Underwood, supposing you hat
gone to his rooms to beg him not II
kill himself-what of it? 1t would b.
for a good motive, wouldn't it? lie
them talk all the bad of you they want
l don't believe word of it-you know
l don't"
She looked up and smiled through
her tears.
You're so good, DEAR" she ex
claimed. Eyes, l know you believe il
me-" She stopped and continued, sad
ly: But you're only boy, you know
What of the future, the years t,
come" Howard's face became sc
rious, and she went on: 'You sc,
you've thought about it. too, and your,
trying to hide it from me. But yol
can't Your father wants you to g,
abroad with the family"
! "Well?"
cTo BE coNTINUED.)
Ocoe