The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1913-11-26
Daily Short Story
HOOPER'S WIFE
BY CAROLINE DICEV

sometimes. said Nancy Milford.
"A girl gets tired OF working. jim"
Meaning inquired Jim Rogers,
with the smile that always angered
Nancy, because II betokened perfect
comprehension. whereas Jim under
STOOD her about as vel as-well, less
than any OF her friends
You know the saying about all
work and no whirl maAng slow
girlt Nancy inquired politely. Well
Jim. because I've been engaged 20 you
Tor nearly two years doesn't seem 20
me any reason why I shouldn't let
other men take me 70 theaters once
IN a while. I'm not a sacrifice. Jim
m not cut out for one
All right said Jim. Il guess am
slow. but the girl that marry isn't
going 10 fool around with men like
Hooper. Give me my ring
What do yOu mean How dare
YOU exclaimed Nancy. paralyzed
with astJnishmen,. Then she took on
the gold baud with It's solitaire and
threw IL at him. There" she said.
Now 20 and give IL TO some girl who
is as slow as you are"
Thanks said Jim. and left her.
As soon as he had gone. Nancy sat
down and cried her heart out. She
did love Jim. But Jim was earning
only $50 a week in a big law Office. and
they couldn't get married on that.
And Nancy was "A bookkeeper for the
Cleaves Smith Co. where Mr.. Hooper
was departmental manager. He knew
how 10 give a girl a good time or
late. though there had been something
IN his manner that had rather fright
ened the girl and once he had invited
her 10 rather fashy restaurant
Nancy had declined Indignantly. but
now-well. she preferred that sort OF
man 20 slow. easy-going Jim.
AS n matter OF fact. Jim was to be
tod to fHrrra Ton
that fall. at $40 He had meant TO
keep the news as surprise for
Na-cv. but after She had insisted on
amusing herself with other men rc
did not have the heart 20 tell her.
Now all was over: both saw that
for both had pride. though Jim's love
was stronger than his pride and
Nancy's was not. Nancy sat down
and wrote Jim q letter that made
him Vince. Defiant. reckless. con
temptuous. II told him that he neCN
not see her again. but n he wanted
Ia. ne could look IN ~ Trimble's
restaurant on Saturday night. where
Mr.. Hopper was taking her. being
able 20 earn money and not stin-y
10 spend b."
Nancy carefully hlotted the tear
that fell on her signature and sealed
the letter Then she posted Il.
on Saturday morning Jim's ON
plov,r called him into HIS private OF
nee. where a little woman In BLACK
was seated. dabhing at her eyes wi'h
a wet handkerchief
Rogers" he said. Il want YOU 20
undertake confidential mission.
This lady was deserted by her hus-
band IN Illinois two years ago. Hes
Hooper OF the Cleayes Smith com
pany. What's tho matter? You
don't know him. do you2"
Il know a friend of him" an
swcred Jim softly.
Mrs. Hooper insists on seeing
him. She thinks 70 would bring about
a reconciliation and avoid trouble.
Il think y would be better 10 beat
his head of sir. said Jim.
How care You abuse my hus-
ba1d2" storm ID the little lady. rising
and Jim subsidized huubly
It's too late to get there before tho
store closes" said the head OF the
firm. But perhaps on Monday morn
ing YOU could take her
'I can take her tonight" said Jim
II know wheer be dimes But II