The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-09-20

For this was the day agreed
upon for shopping expedition to
the small town across the water.
Lady Edith Campbell and her
brother were to Join us. and We
anticipated a very jolly time.
was therefore awfully disap-
pointed when / wakened that
morning with the dull pain In my
eye balls l have reason to respect
and treat with every Difference.
The girls finally set out, and l
lay quite still for some hours,
then found myself gradually re-
viving and with a strong desire
for a cup of tea. The house SEEM
ed very quiet, and though l
opened my door and called sew
eral times, there was no response.
Mary Anne had not returned.
l therefore got up and went
down to the kitchen, to see what
l could find, for | had eaten no
breakfast.
The prospects we're discourage
ing. but | found some crackers,
and remembered that Mary Anne
had mentioned putting the milk
on the hanging shelf in the cell
lar, SO | got a glass and went
after it, cracker Jar in hand.
l found the milk and filled my
glass, then wandered aimlessly
into the recess, sat down upon an
upturned box, and began my
lunch. | do not understand why
| should have elected to do this,
when the entire house was at my
disposal, but sometimes one obeys
an impulse without any tangible
reason for doing so.
AS | sat contentedly nibbling a
cracker and slipping the milk, |
heard voices, muffled but quite
distinct. as though on the other
side of a thin partition. At first
| | was alarmed, but in an instant
| recognized Mary Anne's familiar
tones.
Now, then" said mans voice
impatiently, don't let's have a
scene, and, for heavens sake,
don't turn on the waterworks--
this place is damp enough al
ready" =.
"Oh, Willy, my dear, dear boy"
she said appealingly; don't go
for to be short wi NEEDN'T
now!"
There was silence for a minute
and then the man spoke again.
81 tell you, there's no use talk
ing any more. I've begun the
thing, and I'm going through with
| it."
"But the danger, Willy, the
danger!"
I'm used to danger"
AYE, worse luck. that you are!
And me like to break me cart wi
thinkin' of you o. nights"
Then don't think"
Jaw, 'ow can l clip 1t? Me that
carried you in me arms when you
was a little baby!"
"Well, now, will you do what
| ask. or won't your"
Don't ask it of me. Willy
don't now" -.
He muttered something l could
not hear, however, and Mary
Anne gave a stifled sob.
"Oh, you didn't use to be SO
'ard!" she exclaimed. Its she as
changed you. It's 'er fault-with
'er soft lands and 'er ard, crool
cart"
..Dont you say anything against
Nell. won't have It,"
"Oh, it's allus Nell nowadays
And what does she care what 'ap'
pens to you, so long as she's SAFE
'erself? She don't love you as
dol"
"Then, mother, do as I tell you
without any more fuss. Com'
away from this place-it gets OF
my nerves-and give me some
thing to drink, for l was up al
night. and have more work aheat
of me-"
Their voices died away, and a
, last a sound In the kitchen indi
Gated that Mary Anne had re
turned alone, so I went up.
Il She sat on a chair near tn
table, the picture of despair.
: MARY Anne" / said very gent
ly, 81 was in the cellar Just now
and heard you talking"
: "Miss Elise!" she gasped "Yo
/ here?"
II 81 didn't go with the Others