The Washington herald., 1915-07-29
DAILY SHORT STORY

, folks had noticed 1t right along, but she
had been foolish and blind. She had
given up this and given up that. and
now people were calling her a humble
cat!
And did that domestic tyrant of .
Stephen Roberts think any more of
her for her Sacrifices. as she named
them? Not a bit. He would simply
go on demanding more. He had
asked her to give up hired carriages.
but had he given up cigars? He had
asked her to eliminate her club. but
wasn't he riding the goat at his
Masonic lodge one night week?
Mrs. Clara Roberts had three hours
to think things over before her hus-
band came up to dinner. That was
| macy. and when he entered the house
she was ready for him. The love-
| light had gone out of her eyes. There
was a red spot on either cheek She
waited five minutes for him to ask
| what the matter was. and as he didn't
do it she boldly declared:
stephen. / want to ride out every
afternoon next week." 81
You know what my salary II at
the bank" he replied.
, And I shall go TO the club"
Il hope not"
And 1 want a new suit at once!-
"Yes?"
I didn't marry you to be ground
down.
MOI"
Mother said could come home to
her any time"
"Yes?"
And If things don't change at once
I'll go! I want 1t decided right here
and now"
so do II"
Mrs Roberts left the table and went
IN he wi hA
to the west one. Then she sat down.
Then she stood up again. Mr.. Roberts
refused to be drawn into an argu-
ment to spoil his appetite. He re-
fused to say what he would do, and
II was for her to give in or carry
out her threats. Give in? Never! She
walked upstairs and began to array
herself. The distance to her mothers
manor house was q mile and q half.
and darkness was at hand She would
go. however. She would 60 II the
distance were ten miles There was
husband to be brought to tina
There was a principle at stake Peo-
of the dust. They should seer"
All family Jars do not bring thun.
der storms. This one did. however
The wife who started for mothers
with naughty step and hard-set face.
leaving a husband behind her At his
coffee. had not trailed through the
dust more than half q mile when wind,
rain. thunder and lightning were upon
her. She was thoroughly soaked be-
fore she could gain the shelter of an
old tumble-down barn. She tried to
remain angry but she was too wet
She was also frightened Every time
It Numbered the old ruin wriggled and
shook Every time II lightninged, the
red-hot thunderbolt made . straight
trail for the sagging roof over her
head. When nothing else was doing
hog that had taken shelter before
her moved about and mathematical
things in his own language and made
out that he was a two-lesged tramp.
Why had not tsephen stopped her
from leaving the houee? That was the
question the young wife asked herself
over and over as she stood there in her
sopping shoes. Why hadn't he kissed
her and tried to make up? She had said
she was going home to mother. but he
hadn't filed one single objection. Oh.
what a heartless brutei That 10. she
would give q year Of her life II he was
there with her nowl Thunder. lightning
rain. darkness, and an old tramp get
ting his c'urage up to attack herl
And even II she lived to reach her
mothers house what sort Of Q story
could she tell? When she nrst started
out she fel: she would be received with
open arms. ana that the mother would
say: ...-. .....
so you have ierr that villain for
good and all! Good! Como to my arms.
child. You have q mother to take your
part I will see that Stephens neck II
broken within Q week!"
Now. in that old ruin. with her shoes
a-sop and the rain pelting down harder
and harder. she just cried ike baby
and called out:
Mother. l forbid you to break his
neck! Stephen 10 the best husband In
all this worldr'
Then q hand clasped one Of hers. and
an arm stole around her waist She had
not heard any one approach. but she
was not startled. She was gently drawn
out IT the ruin-into the rosd-along
It to her home. and tho hog was left to
wonder and puzzle over the idiosyn-
crasies of human nature. Not Q word
was spoken on the way -home-not .
word for an hour later. Then the hus-
band quietly observed:
"I'n order the carriage for next
week. Clara"
But don't want you to-" she re-
piled. I'm coming down to the hank
every evening to walk homo with
you'll"
lcsssaAt. ~