The Carlisle independent., 1915-01-28

hS IepoileI Jump6u lO HIS le0C.
 Pardon me-" he replied. This is no party of mine" He stepped toward the door. But Reynolds would not let him go
 Let him stay, then," Brand agreed. Honesty and harmlessness go hand in hand"
 Jane looked again at Bob. She ig- nored the others.
 When I married you five years ago what did I become?"
 My wife. hope"
 But Is that all? Wasn't there something more? Didn't we say that we would be partners, and didn't I say that was the only way I would become the wife of any man, no matter how much I loved him? Bob, you have broken the partnership and I have gone on alone. That night when MT. Brand came I wanted to talk to you, but you would have none of it. I can not have you interfere That was what you said. We'll, have interfered. MT. Brand offered to help you make forty thousand dollars. You called 1t stealing. I called it something else. You turned MT. Brand away and gave your scornful ultimatum. I asked him to come again. I wrote to him and talked to him. In most important business matter the partners did not agree, that's all. MT. Brand thought that might bring you to your senses, or to my way of thinking, if you pre- fer that. I thought so, too. I didn't want to let this chance slip by, if you did. I considered you, but I con- to me as to you; perhaps more. Have you ever really seriously thought what 1t means? Have you thought what my life is here, compared to yours? You and Dick sit here after you've done your work and theorize and rise up to martyrdom, and what do I do? Pm in the house all the time. Up at six o'clock and tired out at night. I wash. l scrub, l sweep, I sew I cook-or did until I saw an escape. And what are you doing? You're up in your office, rubbing shoulders with the man who governs things. You have excitement. You have to work, too, but you're a cog In the great, big wheel that makes the world go round-the world that l can't enter-while I have to sit here like a drudge"
 Reynolds, standing tense and strained. for he had not seated himself with the others, wore a puzzled frown. The voice of discontent was crying aloud. But it was righteous discon- tent. He could find no falsity of note. And yet he had struggled hard. He had loved his wife and shared with her. He had given her love for love, loyalty for loyalty, and-he had given her dollar for dollar. What more could any man do? Still there was no injus- tice in her plea. A jury of twelve good men and true could not have doubted her sincerity. Where, then, was the hiatus? Was the partnership an un- equal bargain in the first place? Had he aimed too high, or, aiming rightly. fired too soon? Was he, the mere pro- wider, taking something to which he had no right? It was the old, eternal question, as old as the world; the ques- tion of man and woman; what the one can give and what the other can command. Through vaporous mist of thoughts that racked his brain and pierced his heart he saw a tangible something - just what, he did not turn to the man who had won where he had failed.
 MT. Brand" he said-and his voice was low and choking-"if you please. you had better go."
 The millionaire nodded curtly to each At the door he turned and ad- dressed Bob:
 Apologies are not forthcoming" he said. Advice, too. seems to be lost on you. But take tip from one who knows. Your wife is sensible wom- an. Pay her lot of attention"
 Reynolds made no reply. He gave no sign that he heard. But he did hear and the import of the millionaire's words struck home. Sensible? Yes, she was that, perhaps, but he had thought she was something more than that when he gave his heart and soul
 His wife reused him from his rev. erie. She came to his side.
 Bob" she said, "I hadn't finished You sent Brand away, but do not send him away for good. Think what it means to us; what 1t means to me. Why, when he offered you that forty thousand dollars never had a thought in the world that you would refuse it. I was like little child coming down. stairs on Christmas morning and see Ing a tree all beautifully lit up. But before could touch It you had put out the candle and kicked away the tree as so much dead wood. But couldn't stand it. I went out and picked up the candles and I have relighted them. It isn't too late, Bob. The tree is still within our reach. Won't you let me have it?"
 CTO BE CONTINUED)
 About the Bottle Tree.
 The Sterculias is genus largely |