Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-03-29
BY VAUGHAN KESTER
Copyright, 1912, The Bobbs- Merrill Company

The street lamps demanded his inn
mediate attention. and it was not
until his days work was finished that
he found opportunity to- tell Mrs.
Shrimpin of these straits to which
Nellie had been reduced. He eonclud-
ed by reiterating his opinion that
her sister had seen the last of Joe
Il don't know why you say that"
was Mrs. Shrimplin's unexpected re-
joinder.
Amt | got mighty good reason to
say it?" asked her husband. Don't
you know, and amt everyone always
said Joe was just too low to live?
I'd like to know If it wasn't you said
he should never set his foot inside
your door,"
II might say it again, and then I
mightn't." rejoined Mrs. Shrimplin.
with aggravating composure.
Two days later when the Shrimp
Inns were at breakfast Mrs. Mont
gomery walked in on them, Her face
was streaked with traces of recent
tears, but there was the light of
happy vindication In her eyes. and
soiled and crumpled letter in her
hand.
Mercy, Nellie!" exclaimed her sis
ter What's the matter now"
Matter? Why, I'm so happy.
just don't know what to do! I've
heard from my Joe''
Mrs Shrimplin rested her hands
on her hips and surveyed Nellie with
eyes that seemed to hold pity and
contempt in about equal proportion.
you've heard from Joe! Well, if
he was my husband he'd have heard
from me long ago!" she said.
And 1t occurred to Mr.. Shrimplin
that his wife was wonderfully con-
sistent In her Inconsistencies.
"Well, and what have you got
against Joe?" demanded Mrs. Mont
gomery with ready anger.
"She amt got nothing new, Nellie!"
said Mr.. Shrimplin, DESTROYS of pre-
serving the peace.
We'll. she's mighty quick to mis-
judge him! Look" and she drew
from the envelope she held in her
hand a dirty greenback. Hes sent
me twenty dollars-my man has!
Does that look like he'd forgotten me
or his children?" protested Nellie, in
voice of of happy triumph.
"I'll bet it's counterfeit; I'd go slow
on trying to pass it, said Mr..
Shrimplin when he had somewhat re-
covered from the shock of the sud
den announcement.
1t was plain that Nellie had never
thought of any such possibility as
this, for the light died out of her
eyes.
How can / find out whether it's
good or not?" she faltered.
Let me look at it," said Mr.
| Shrfmplin.
Mrs. Montgomery placed the bill il
his hands Her face was keen ant
pinched with anxiety as she awaited
the little mans verdict.
TITS genuine all right he a
| length admitted grudgingly.
81 knew it was!" cried Nellie, hel
| miserable suspicious put at rest.
well, you'd better spend it 'quicl
and get some good of II before ole
Joe comes back and wants thu
| change!r advised. Mr.. Shrimplin.
what does he say questioned
Mrs. Shrimplin.
He don't say word. there wa:
nothing but the BILL
well, maybe it wasn't Joe sent II
after all" said the little lamplighter
1.-The writing on the envelopes his
I'd know it anywhere, / guess h'
couldn't trust himself to write; but
he'll come back. my man viii May
| be he's on his way now!" exclaimed
| Nellie.
"Ain't there no postmark?" asked
| Mrs. Shrimplin.
'.Why. l never thought to look"
| But Nellie's face fell when she die
| look.
cit was mailed at Denverl' sh'
said, in an awe-struck oice.