The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1914-05-28

ii: : 5::. 4: e: : : =: !:
OF the Watson
tribe. He had
laughed at the
IA,J dire warnings OF
the village when he had married her.
"As if Milly would turn out wrong
just because her ancestors did, he
had scofied Indignantly.
II he had been financially able to,
he would have shown the town, then
and there. by covering her with rings
and necklaces Immediately after the
ceremony. All through his engage
ment his heart had burned with indig-
nation against the old aunt who had
brought her up; not one jot Of fun had
the child ever had.
Instead of telling the girl that he
longed to do things for her, and some
day would. he kept the wish locked
tight in his heart
Coin TO buy another macAine?'
she asked hstlessly as she cleared the
table OF the breakfast dishes
Elmer nodded. lie tried to conceal
the smile that would come on his face,
and failed
What you smilin' at?' she asked
quickly, stopping short.
"Oh, nothin," he answered grUifiy.
I'm just fcclin good, that's all |
guess it was your coffee, Milly.'
lie noticed that she was a little stiff
when he kissed her good-by and start
ed out for the stable, but he tossed
the thought from his mind; she would
forgive his closeness when she UNI
derstood the reason for his trip Wits
Ting heartily, he jumped into his wait
ing wagon, and pointed the horses
head cityward.
The old mare at last pulled into the
suburbs of the city Leaving the rig
at public stable, Elmer started out at
once for one of the many jeweiry
shops. 1t was lunch time, but what
was mere food in comparison with the
great object Of the trip?
And every article on the list he got.
Even the bracelet with the queer blue
stones reposed in his pocket when at
last he started homeward.
When he pulled in sight Of his farm
he was surprised to see no friendly
light In the windows.
Must be some neighbor's sick, Ham
ma" he said, staring. "Nothin' else
would take Milly away from home AT
this hour Why it's seven o'clock"
In tae dining room, just as he had
hoped he found a note.
Dear Elmer" It read, 81 have gone
up to Harperville to spend the day
with Fred Kent"
"A Watson!' he whispered, sinking
his head into his hands.
Then he began to pace the floor. He
had known that MilIy had gone TO
school with Fred Kent that they had
been boy and girl sweethearts,
1T can't bel" he cried. "Oh, Milly!
Milly! You're just my simple little
girl! know you, Milly!'
Yet, there was the discriminating
note--and written by her own hand!
Not exactly knowing where he was
going, he strobe swiftly to the door
and out into the darkness, He found
his feet taking him to the house of
Milly's aunt. Perhaps the old lady
would be able to throw some light on
things.
But the old lady was as much at sea
as Elmer himself.
"Milly gone!" she cried.
Elmer hesttated before launching
the worst fact
"sbes-she's not alone" he began
gradually "She's-with a man."
"A mani" she grew white to her fin
ger-tips.
He nodded Fred Kent"
why, Fred Kent's dead!" she cried,
why, boy, Mllly'a foolln' you! She
knows he died last week | told her
SO myself"
At this point the two turned swiftly.
The ereak of door had startled them,
There In the doorway stood Milly,
y hope ! gave you good scaye!"
she cried vibrantly. you deserve one,
Elmer Greedy! Any man who'll SO off
with another woman, who'll buy her
things when his wife is slavin' for him
night and day" In trembling con
tumely she flung down on the table a
scrap of white paper and stood back,
as though to say that that could finish
her sentence for her
With quick step Elmer bent over
Il. II was the list Of jewery articles
An it's not the first time you've
bought things for her" accused Milly.
bracelet to match the blue neck
lace What blue necklace? There's