Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1918-09-12
MS Wife
Dy MILDRED WHITE.
pyright, 9lx. Western NeWspaps
CniOn.D


head drGoped, TO rest between them. II
was all over as far us he was con
cerned. and there was nothing to dc
but 20 away and leave Constance iu
her fathers care. from which he, Rich.
ard, should never have presumed to
take her. But Glove" at that time had
seemed to be "ihe greatest thing In the
world" Wealth, and all Its protecting
comforts paled to n~othingness besides
He had not realized in youths conf.
dence to what length his ambition for
his wife was leading him.
Creditors had forced the fact upon
him-he was in debt. hopelessly In
debt. How had expenses been allowed
to exceed so completely his regular In.
come?
Surely the smart little coupe had
been needfui; Connie, perched ON the
arm Of his chair, had delighted in the
convenience Of her purchase.
The beautiful bungalow with Its
well-kept lawn had been her appropri.
ate setting. The bungalow must 60,
this was now inevitable, the servants
engaged by his wife must be dismissed.
War conditions might partially ex.
cuse his w lack Of success in money
matters. He could bear the fathers
contempt-it was Of Connie he was
thinking. How would she look when
he told her the truth? What would
she do? But there was just one thing,
of course, that she could do. She must
30 back to her fathers home.
White-faced, and with lines Of suffer.
Ing about his mouth, he raised his
head-reachcd for the telephone--no,
he could not tell hcr--yet. He would
write a letter, that would be the easiest
way. He would place the sun of their
Indebtedness against that of his in.
come; Connie should draw her own
conclusion and give him answer.
Not nee did it occur to him that his
merry little wife might have shared
the blame, yet 1t was she who had Sc
lected plans for the bungalow and its
costly location.
When the letter was sent on Its
way. Richard left town for a bust.
ness trip. On his return he would
learn his fate. His own street seemed
strange as he drove up to the bungalow
door, and the auto went for the last
time perhaps-back to the stone
garage.
The rooms were empty as he passed
from one to another, q speaking air OF
desertion lowered everywhere. Ii
Comics own bouloir, bureau draw,
ers and closets stood open-she hat
been packing-and was gone. Rich
ard sunk YEARLY into a chair and rams
for q maid; his fears were realized
yet he knew that he had been hopin!
against hope. allowing himself tt
fancy the imposslble-that Connie
might still have loved him enough Il
face with him a new beginning o,
things.
"Mrs. Byron started to pack imme
diately upon receiving his letter." tn
maid informed him. "Slle had left tn
address of her destination if he wishet
It,"
Richard caught Mt the scrap of pa
per. "Willowdale," he read in Con
MES writing, and that was all. II,
wrinkled his brow %perpleXcdly, thel
sighed. No doubt Willowdale wa
some new country place Of her fathers
They directed him at the RAILROAD
station. 1t was a small suburban tow
he learned, not far from the city. TIL
agent at Willowdale shook his hea'
when Richard inquired for the home Q
Co~nstance's father. That great man
am appeared to be unknown.
"Mrs. Byron then" Richard asked
"can You direct me to herr"
The agents face frightened vlsibl!
"Whitc cottage" he replied, "acros
from the square"
Richard was still perplexed rs h
turned into the garden path leading
the white cottage. 1t was a very prett
little house, with rambler roses climl
ing the vcrnnia pillars, but he coul
not understand what Connie should /
doing there-and at the doorway sh
met him. He paused breath!ess befol
her radiant face. There were not r
proaches, surely, in that evident hal
piness.
"Come in," said Connie. She laughe
as he had not heard her laugh sint
those first joyous days long ago. The
ut sight of her husbands var face, ST
put up her arms to draw him down
her.
"Dear," she murmured, "welcom
this Is home at last"
Richard held her close. "You men
-" lie asked eagerly.
"Thut I have never really had
homc," said Constance. "Alwnys thel
were servants about to order things.
gardens too well kept to enjoy. He
there Is but one small servant whom
shall order, Richard, and a garden ~
Of flowers that grow alone. I cho!
the place and moved in while you we
away. The rest of Our furniture slil
be sold. 1t has been such fun to pl,
things out, Father wanted to hcl