The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1913-07-04

him.
Alone. he sat, unable to Tx his at
tention on business, ashamed even &c
glance through the window
Along in the afternoon his sister
Doras husband. a man several years
Bobson's senior. walked thoughtTu'ly
into the inner office. Though on The
best of terms, Bobson had proIouNo
respect for Stewart
This is bad, Robert said stewart
but il seems that for deceEcy sake
you might have taken some othef
way
Robson, the chills playing SportiVeiy
down mis- spine, felt what was coming
But YOU cant expect me to waive my
rights. continued Stewart.
Bobson raised his head to speak nut
at his visitors hand, lifted to ehJ"'h
silence, he waited.
1T is not right of you, resumed
Stewart. You always Dragged YOU
know. even to Dora, that Tessle VAS
the best dressed woman in town
don't DENY that she Isl but | mctnt
10 get Dora one or two things TO hiaKe
her work lighter-a new sewing ma
chine and a gas range, when you paid
me. and it is hardly fair that she
should go without these things III or
der to satisfy Tessie's love Tor dress.
1t was $500. you know"
Four hundred dollars. Indeed he
did not know. Bobson spring from
his chair and paced the small once
while Stewart grimly waited. He
would not betray T.ssie even TO the
family. but why, why
Man alive" he exclaimed, III
make it right Even if it ruins me.
he muttered. But see here, Stewart
he continued. Il only put that ad in
for a joke"
We'll, hope you will enjoy 1t, re-
turned Stewart unfeelinsly
Poison was stunned business can
20 TO thunder" said he between his
clerched teeth, az ainsing on his hat
and coat he went By the back way 10
his hcme. Finding The house licked
he ,enterd by the way OF the cP!!2:-a
trick that he knew.
Tess, Tessie, girl" he called loud
", softly, pleadingly, as he searched
each nook OF the tiny house. Going
to the telephone he rang up his WiIe's
mother.
Shes not here" was the curt r.
ply. ard he heard the click of the re-
ceiyer as it was hung up. Dismayed'
he stood motionless. Tess mother
was clearly yexed at him She, Who
had always taken his rart--then he
was indeed forlorn.
For hours he walked jhe tlCor or
flung himself groaning into . chair 10
wait and to plan how to pay a debt of
$1,000 when he had invested all that
his business would permit in their 1t
tie paradise OF a home
When the midnight train from Chi
cago pulled into ,he little station. Bob
son. who had hitherto been ashamed
to show himself. was m&dly pacing IN"
platform. questioning partg OF re-
turned theattr-Gcers, the only passeH-
gers to get off, whether his wife had
been on the train.
Yes. she has left me. and richly
deserve It," he muttered as he re
turned home and staggered b!ndlT
into the house Haggard and worn he
reached his home and switched on
the light
You're out late 8obbie," said a
voice, sleepily, and Robson started and
almost cried cut from sheer nervous
exhaustion
Tess. girl. ne cried. dropping en-
his knees and clasping the sleepy bun
die of lacey Wilderness and vainly
seeking her face. which seemed hid
den by the abundant auburn hair, can
you ever forgive me? | didn't know
that you owed anything On my soul,
| didn't. 1t was one Of my cursedly
idiotic jokes. 1t is my last, you may
be sure"
Yes. dear. never mind'-the slim
hand passing lovingly through his hair
and, Robbie, boy. she tried to
raised the bowed head, II don't owe
cent"
Tess" The burden of years
seemed lifted from his soul. oh but
shall make Rathbone and Stewart
smart for this"
Why, Bobbie Bobson." she ex-
claimed naively aggrieved; that was
a practical joke"
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