Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1912-06-15

wraps. answering with commonplace
quiet whatever Alsop had to say
There was no rebound in hor-she did
not even admit how stupid she had
found the rich folk. Her husband was
all taken aback--she had always been
as responsive as harpstring and as
vivid as a summer day
In his heart he cursed roundly the
root OF trouble--the little lame dog
she had found and fetched home, only
10 have It sent By his mother straight
10 the pound. This was the sensible
thing, OF course--but the furry limo
cent. hungry and friendless. had gone
straight into Elnor's heart. She had
begged 70 keep it--only until II was
well. and she could find home for II.
Her motherin.law had been inexor.
able, with the result OF sending her
into stormy tears Throughout the
next six weeks OF dry-eyed calm on
her part. William Alsop thought he
would welcome anything that would
bring back the tears.
She kept going. going, from her
late rising TO her later lying down.
The house she had LET slip into elder
hands, giving over even the account
books which had been her special
pride. Business drove Alsop as hard
as Elinor drove herself IN the name
OF pleasure She helped him indubi.
tably. Traver stuck at nothing in his
behalf Want 10 make some pretty
money for the pretty child to throw
away" he said sometimes, with q
chucklo Traver's word had weight,
especially when his money went be-
hind 1t. After feverish campaign,
Alsop caught breath--to find himself
richer by quarter OF million.
He started home early, but moved
by queer impulse stopped at a IA
nous jewelers. shop. 1t had suddenly
come 10 him that Eliror loved pearls.
He would buy her a string. the hand.
soonest he could find. even though the
cost might be half his recent gains.
He was no judge Of such things, but
the shop imprint was a guarantee
besides. II employed the best OF all
experts. Alsop had a nodding &C.
quain;ance with the expert. Moving
among bewilderlng counters In search
OF nim. he came In view OF couple
standing face to face. The womans
back was 70 him--the man he recog
nized as an elderly bachelor banker.
enormously rich, with the name OF be-
ing also enormously INSCRIPTIONS. He
was smiling down at the woman. and
saying persuasiyely. IF you will but
permit--what happiness for me Any
thing -here-or In the whole world.
You love pearls"
Alsop made almost a leap for the
pair-something familiar in the out
line OF throat and shoulders, In the
silken chestnu, hair. told him who was
listening. But he was man enough.
gentleman enough. 10 carry off things
we'll u see my wife has been con-
Tossing her pet sins to you. Mr.. yor
tress, he said. stepping between them,
Are you Judge Of pearls? How
lucky! My business here Is TO buy
her a string"
Not now-some other day" Elinor
murmured composedly. turning TO 20.
Alsop walked possessively beside
her. put her into her cab and himself
followed her
Not until they had made the round
OF the park did he speak. Then, llft-
ing his haggard face from the hands
that had hidden II. he asked. mlser.
ably. "Elnor. how far has this gone?
How long have you known vortress!
How dared he offer volt"
Travers presented him have tol.
Grated him for business reasons" I'll.
nor said coldly "As TO his offer
please understand | did not accept
You see-I am siill foolish. He told
me YOU had won out-as you don't
need me any longer. am going away
lin the morning
"Elinor, Darling, | need you as
never before love you. love, love,
love you-bctte: than all the world!
Try 10 forgive mel know was bru.
tai" Alsop painted only say-you
shall have whatever you want-even
II Il should be a hundred dogs"
Elinor sat trembling, her eyes hui
mid IL don't want-any dog-now."
she murmured. u ought TO go away
but truly cannot want my-hus
bandit
Alsop could not speak