The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1913-06-09

being poor with him. At last he knew
that she minded. He himself minded
very bitterly. but he would rather be
poor with Helen than a millionaire
without her. And he had blindly sup.
POSED that she was in the same grum.
ping but contented state of mind.
He paused stupidity. half inclined
10 go back to h office and brood in
its gloom. but that smacked of cowar-
dice. He waited a moment, then went
into the dining room on the other side
OF the small hall, and, drawing a
rocker over by the window, unfoldeo
an evening paper.
The voices in the parlor were not
audible there. 1t was tantalizing to
near the low, indistinguishable muir.
muir, and wonder what else Helen was
saying concerning the decline OF
Helen's face rose before him.
Not as he always saw it, softly curved,
almost babyish, with a gay little smile
winklin in her round, blue eyes, but
as IT must appear now when she ad-
Vlsed another AGAINST the course tina,
n had found hard. No smile in her
eyes now. Doubtless they were cold
or bitter. and he could imagine the
SOFT curves settling into firm disguised
line. Unconsciously his own eyes went
10 an ugly worn spot in the carpet al
his feet. He looked around the room.
ihe chairs showed wear; the table
legs were marred: the dishes on the
cheap sideboard were more remarka-
pie FOR use than elegance. 1t sud.
denly struck him that a man had a
large amount of gall to expect a won,-
an to scrimp and pinch and practice
every petty economy known in order
TO make a small salary reach, an6
still be happy. And Helen had been
the prettiest girl in town. Half a
dozen other fellows. every one making
more than he did. had been at her
feet. "@'
Presently the murmur swelled. He
When they anne out into the hall h.
recognized the voice of Alice Sewers.
a pretty. spoiled young girl whose
mother led the small town in socia,
doings.
You haven't converted me. Helen"
h said poutingly. But 1 confess
you've given me something to think
about"
And you will think about it?"
Helen asked earnestly. Really. Alice.
dear, if ] didn't care so much for you,
happiness. and wasn't so afraid that
IL is going 10 be messed, 1 should
never have spoken as I have this aft
ernoon."
I'll think it over" Alice promised.
s"l'eTiy. way, I'll
come in again to talk it over before
l decide"
The front door slammed and
Helen's quick sters approached the
dining room. She was surprised to
see her husband calmly reading the
PAPER and Immediately got a match to
light the gas. Don't you know, you'll
ruin your eye sitting there in the
dusk. YOU foolish man." she demand
half Grossly.
Then. humming a bit Of a tune un-
der her breath, she hurried out to the
Kitchen to start the dinner that her
visitor had delayed.
Want cauliflower or peas for din
rer, Fred?" she called after the coffee
was on the stove and the potatoes
were sizzling.
Makes no difference" Fred called
trying to keep WEAKNESS out of
hls voice. 1t vas his invariable re-
Presently Helen, bringing the plates
md s%ilverware for the table, asked
him to run into the bedroom and see
# the baby had walked. Sometimes
she crawled off the bed and investi-
things without making a sound.
Fred quietly went into the bedroom