The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1915-10-21
CHAPTER XXI.
THE MORNING IN HANDY STREET

In the meantime, Mary Midthorne
had found Jack Payson. She descend
ed from exclusive Upper Cor
NTH into the prim but humble
district known as the Fourth ward,
where lived the plain people; here no
man was downright poor, yet none was
rich. save In honor and contentment
You had but TO look at the long rows
Of cottages to know that peace reigned
external II not eternal. There were no
outward signs of envy or jealousy, yet
how well the woman was despised
whose husband prOspered so steadily
that he was looking at property way
up town with a view 70 building q
house that was ''fit TO live in." Even
the erection Of q summer kitchen or
the expansion of the front stoop into a
veranda was proof Of an affluency that
came in for general resentmenttand all
sorts OF talk about pride going before
a fall"
But the people Of Corinth never fell in
lust that way, Their thrift was their
pride. If they fell II was not because
pride had anything to do with IL, but
because IL was the height OF extrava-
Rance TO carry fire insurance. You
might burn them out, but in no other
way could you humble them-especlally
those who lived In the Fourth ward.
The Widow Payson lived In one OF the
walking distance Of every ether place
in Corinth. II you had a springy, pro-
jecting stride. you could easily make
the docks I'm five minutes, or you could
circle the court house square and do
a block or two extra in six or seven.
Besides. 81 wasn't far to Upper Corinth,
and was farther removed from the de-
tested Todville. There was really some
thing in that. BY an odd perfection OF
street nomenclature. IL was called Han
dy street. In commemoration Of a cit
izen who went to war az q private and
came out a corporal. A great favorite
with washington, the story goes, and
intensely disliked by King George the
Third
At any rate, Mrs. Payson lived in
Handy street. Hers was a neat little
cottage, with vines growing all over II.
and a garden at the back with a white
washed fence around II. just as you
might have expected. There was a great
knocker on the vine surrounded door
inside the porch, and q name plate, and
peep hole, with a sliding shutter. As
days Journey through old New Eng
land.
Mary. flushed and suddenly shy, rat
tied the knocker after rather timid
fashion. The door was opened at once,
to her great surprise. She had been
"hCCIllnA tine clOSeu AnuLteT, IN the all
Gent peep hole as IL fascinated, con-
fidently expecting to see il slide back
to reveal gruesone. questioning eye.
John Payson, himself opened the door
certain, haggard, tired expression
left his face as II by magic. IL she had
been less absorbed In her own feelings.
she would have noticed something more
than, surprise I'm the eyes OF her lover.
Why Mary" he exclaimed, throw
ing the door wide open what has hap
pened2 Has anything gone wrong with
Eric?" 70. 81 +. w. =. =,
Hasn't ne. been here? You have not
seen him." she inquired anXiously.
He had not asked her to Cnter. but
stood before her. blocking the doorway.
II nave not seen him." he said, i
queer nervousness IN HIS manner.
What has haIpeEed? Ten me. Gan
| he OF any service Ia hi.n?" 's-ab
MAY ! not cuine iri, 1sck?'> site ASKED
suddenly strack - IIir odd LOOK in hia
eyes A ySift ~. moHitinn ~ dlsastsr
came over her vas No Ia = aily't IN