The herald., 1915-02-04
IN SEARCH OF 4 Wife
Nv ELMER q. WARRINGTON.


Now, Ezra, remember, you are
making a brand new start in life"
Yes, ma'am," assented Ezra in his
usual homely, old-fashioned way.
He regarded his mother in wistful
manner. For the first time in his life
she did not seem to him like his
mother. The old familiar dimity gown
had given place to a snowy brocade.
The iron-gray hair showed traces OF
walnut stain There was even a sus-
picion OF powder about the sunken
faded cheeks.
Then, too, the meal on the table.
Mrs. Rachel futile had hired serv-
ant girl only that week.
Now I'm going to enjoy life," she
had declared with vim. Il never saw
Niagara falls, nor the White House,
nor the ocean. I'm going on tour,
Ezra, and take in some relatives in
New Hampshire and sort of spread
myself on all the money I'm going to
get You say you don't want to jine
me, that you don't like rummaging
around. All right, Ezra, you've been
q good son and you shall have your
own way. Make yourself comfortable
and have a good time. Here's some
money. and spend II freely. suppose
when brother Williams estate is set
tied up therell be q big plum for US.
And now, Ezra, remember you're max
ing a start in life. You won't be plain
plodding Ezra futile any more. You're
a gentleman Of means, now"
Yes, ma'am," said Ezra, more de-
pressed than ever, with longing
glance at his discarded homespun
hanging on the clothesline.
Immediately upon hearing that she
was an heiress, Mrs. Tuttle had drawn
a goodly amount from the bank and
had planned out her grand tour"
IN have one grand breathing spell,
after all my years of drudgery," she
declared, and Ezra was silent, but
he mourned In spirit. Three days OF
the slatternly new cook had given him
indigestion. Certainly his mother had
been a model housekeeper How he
missed the homemade sausage and
buckwheat cakes, and neighborhood
pure maple strip, the nectarlike cot.
fee for breakfast.
Il am lonesome and out Of sorts,
he ruminated, and 1t will be an ex
perience, anyhow. and II mother is
going to wander about and break w
the home, why not a wife? Maybe
I'll find one in my travels-who can
tell?" and he smiled quantity.
Ezra was no clod, only homespun
He knew fully how to conduct himself
In company and made good impress
sion with the Mantells. His rumored
fortune it was, however, that made
a better one. He was soon aware Of
this, judging from the specious in
Quiries of Mr.. and Mrs. Mantell. Their
they threw Helena at his head.
She was an only daughter, tall
stately, cold as ice. Amid her state
3 illness, however, Ezra soon discernet
that she was bent on capturing him
The family were truly aristocratic
that was their bent and pose. They
were selfish, skimping, sacrificing
( comfort to make q show
Three days Of these people was al
! could stand" soliloQuized Ezra as
gracefully as he could, he took his de
parture, feeling that he was lucky t
= have escaped still a bachelor.
Then Ezra tried the Moores. They
had money and lived at a private no
tel. There were two girls here, one
a blue stocking, the other a languish
ing sentimentalist. They played thei
arts alternately. The flimsy feedin,
at the table d'hote did the rest fol
Ezra. He made his adieux and strucl
off for a rural jaunt feeling free ono,
more.
Then came the crisis in Ezra's life
He was passing a field hedge wheI
his quick ear caught a moaning sound
He brushed aside the Usage orang,
bushes to locate a man lying exhaust
ed to faintness. Beside him lay ;
scythe. 1t was dabbled with blood
Then Ezra saw that he must hav,
stumbled, and one limb had fallel
athwart of the keen blade.
The mans eyes closed as Ezr,
sprang to his side. The latter saw a
glance that the victim of the acci
dent was bleeding to death. 1t wa
a question of a speedy emergenc,
service. Within a few minutes Ezr,
had stanched the ebbing life tide
bound up the limb at the cost of hi
coat, and had the satisfaction of see
ing the man come back to conscious
ness.
Home" he just whispered. an
pointed up a near rise. Ezra ran t
its top to discover a handsome farm
house a few hundred yards distant
He took up the man in his arms an
proceeded towards It,
you saved my life," declared Rot
ert Wadham that evening, as he an
his daughter Elinor and Ezra sat Il
the comfortable best room.
The daughter-ah! there had com
revelation to Ezra. Perhaps he
pretty gratitude had stirred him NOR
deeply than common, or her tender d.
votion to her father.
Four months later, tired-out, dil
! anpoiptad xpnyno, Mro T,,ttIa uot ~