Charlevoix county herald., 1912-07-13


master hand at contriving. But II
Amt the company's fault that l got
all crippled up with rheumatism, SOS
! couldn't do my work"
I'D like to know IL 1t amt, Amos
Rood" she flashed. I'D like to know
II you want kept all those years In
a damp, underground office and not al
lowed half the help you'd ought to
have had?"
We'll. well. Lucy" the man said
practically. The company was good
to me that time I had typhoid. ten
years ago. Didn't get three months
leave of absence with full pay apd
passes for us both SO we could take
nice trip"
Three months leave In twenty-five
years." moaned Mrs. Rood. And now
that new managers going to take
away your pension. Oh. l know you
think I'm awful. Amos, but just hate
that grasping, greedy old company
that works It's men to death just the
way 1t does Its poor horses, SOS to
save little more money!"
1T hurts me to hear you talk like
that, Lucy" Amos Rood protested 10y
ally. The company does the best 1t
can't has troubles of its own"
We'll, l won't say another wori il
you don't want l should. Amos" the
little woman promised, brushing the
angry tears from her eyes. II amt
afraid but we'll get along some way. 1t
just made me mad to think how
little the company seemed to appre-
ciate how honest and faithful you've
been. Now you come and wash up
and eat your birthday dinner before
it's all spoiled"
But though Amos Rood valiantly
attempted to do justice to the little
feast. it was evident to the anxious
wife who watched him that the dainty
viands that she had prepared with
such care were as dust and ashes to
his palate. He looked stunned and
bewildered by the unexpected blow
which had been dealt him, and as he
pushed back his chair from the table,
he said slowly:
| I'D calculated to finish up that job
OF Browns this afternoon, but when
got that letter | sent 'em word not
to expect mel didn't feel equal to
tacklin figures today. But I'll paint
them storm-doors you wanted done,
Lucy It'll be quiet out there in the
barn, and II want to think things
over"
Mrs. Rood looked after him visit
fully. II guess maybe he would be bet
ter by himself" she thought humbly.
II wouldnI wonder IL my everlastin
gable bothered him some when he's
got things he wants TO think over.
Well, I'll fly around and straighten up
so't will look pleasant to him when
he comes in. an maybe If | was to fix
that chicken into scallop he'd relish
1t for supper He didn't eat scarcely
mite O. dinner"
But although Amos Rood had found
the solitude he craved, there was
something terrifying TO him in the
emptiness of the great barn, and as
he resolutely set himself to the task
of painting the storm doors he had
mentioned, he began to wish. vaguely
that old Dolly were still alive to stamp
| ner iron SnOu rect anu W hiShSA ~
him socially from her stall.
Then, with a sudden pang. he real
lied that he was glad that the old
horse who had been his and Lucys
FRIEND and companion for so many
years. had died last month. for how
could he have brought himself to sell
her when their little home was broken
up? The brush dropped from his
nerveless hand as he muttered, yes, 1t
would come to that.
Lucy said that they would man
age some way, but Lucy, with all her
CHEEKY common sense and thrift, had
a woman's ignorance Of the grim fact
that two and two always make four,
and never by any chance five or
six
Perhaps, by selling their little place
and living on the proceeds they might
manage to keep together for a few
years more, but the end was inev-
liable. Sooner or later Lucy would
be obliged to go to the well-to-do sis
ter who had never attempted to con-
ceal her conviction that the pretty,
| BcJlC gill uOhS OCbtOi
than to marry Amos Rood.
AS for him. there would be nothing
left but the shelter OF the county poor
house
Something seemed to snap In the
mans brain. Why shouldn't he quiet
ly get out Of 1t all, while there was
| still something TO keep Lucy from en-
tire dependence on a woman like pros
porous, self-satisfied Jane Thorn? She
would mourn for him he knew, but
death is easier to bear than some 9TH
er things.
Suddenly he paused. arrested in his
grim preparations for the deed on
which he was resolved
Amos! Amos!" his wife was call
ing.
Ten, yes, FIVE moments more and he
would have been forever deaf to that
tender voice. and Lucy would have
come and found him-he shuddered
with sick repulsion. He had been
-cowardly-mad-, But Lucy's