The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-07-12
BY LOUISE OLIVER.


mr. her pocket. that instead OF week.
and miserably crying about his re-
usal she became ansry-in fact, she
sot mad clear through for the frs
ime almost since their marriage.
Look here. Thomsc." she saiC
.risply. biting off each word with ;
map that made her husband jump.
VIII you tell me why you married
ne"
Il give mp" he retorted. "Phono
graphs are cheaper and they occasion
ally say something pleasant
"-if you can't give me enough 10
live in peace and comfort without hay
ing TO worry my head off all the time
shout money! che finished. iGnOr,n5
his interruption.
well, Lord knows I'm not made o.
money. I've had 10 dig down in M
leans for so many things lately In.
nearly strapped all the time. II you
tried you could manage differently
How?
that's up 10 you. I'd LET Katie go
"And do my own work.
Wouldn't kill YOU. would IT,"
"Thoman Bardsley. never did
lays work in my life!"
''Then It's time yon were benefittint
by my admirable example and begin
ling"
Mrs. BaTdsley rose from the table
lei eyes flashing dangerously. We
sell. Thomas. I'll do my own vor.;
sut that doesn't include anybody elrc.
emembe-. Where shall send your
iiings-,o the cub or hotel. or woula
Fou pre-: to 90 bcck to yotY
nOthe:'s.'
fl"Oh f,ld them T. the devil" thu
ielsd Mir. B2rsslcv. Jumping for his
lit and rushing To- the door
~ will" called Ms Blrdsley aft
aim. Il just wanted to know his al
d.eT-."
Nj. E'rds'ey preceded 10 his otiic".
T., e., vi3l and shc 'cs OF We,-h
r''bl.i folljv.rg. Thing went w.ocG
~ day. HIS sterosrspher irritc,ca
him beyond endurance by re!us.n; -
Be a mind reader and unierst.n1'rr
what he mcs1t to cay instead ri wh-;
be did say WAN che took dictat.on.
sanity on raw nerve ends. and ovc-y
time the telephone rang he jumped rs
though a she'll had hit him. The e. 4
wind had brought moro trouble in its
wake also. besides irritated nerve1 and
domestic discord. Since ten O'Clock
the air had thic,.ene1 and condensc1
until. mixed with the smoke from mills
and furnaces. j heavy. impenetrab.e
Toe. first cousin 10 a regular Londoncr.
had settled down over the city. II
penetrated buildings. Railways and
offices until Mr.. Bcrdsley could scarce
y see his own desk
= The result OF eye strain. nerve strain
and Indigestion produced slowly but
surely the worst headache Mr.. Bard
Icy had over had In his life. He stood
L until four O'Clock. then resolved 10
pull NJ stakes for home. II there was
oae thing Lillian knew how 10 do IL
was 20 cure headache. She was 4
Ion. nurse. As he locked up his desc
and gave few curt directions for the
next day. visions oil hot water bottles.
cold cloths with ice. quiet darkened
room and q certain specific OF which
his wife knew the secret. floated
before his eyes Then later a hot,
delicious broth, ard Lillian's smoothc.
luiet voice reading the evening papers
Out on the street he CROPPED his way
o the curb TO call taxi cab. He was
mrprised at the density OF the fog
80 could hear people quite near walk
ne and talkIns. 5ut could see no one
Then he discovered that no taxis
we're running. or course. nothing on
VheOls would venture out in that black
destruction through which no light
:ould penetrate more than q foot or
Two ahead.
In some remarkable way he got 10
Z subway station. and finally. after
few minutes. reached his own station
ana street. and proceeded as before 20
EEL his way blindly TO his own house.
He hung to familiar iron ratings.
followed walls and CROPPED along
hedges until at last he felt the rough
bricks OF his own house Blindly he
stumbled up the steps. turned the KEY |
n the lock and pRfhed open the iron;
lcor
uOiiON Vgtu suu0enlN seemed 10 4
start up arr iairly strike him in the
lace. Alt ugh the fog had penetrated
inside. could still see clearly enough I
% know that the hall and adjoining
looms were em2t:- Carpets, hangings.
furniture and all were gone. His own
breath sounded like thunder in that
TaSt, empty solitude. and his footsteps
Ike the explosion OF artillery. He
shivered miserably. II davned on him
by degrees that Lillian had meant
what she said when she asked where
10 send his things. She certainly had
lost no time. Then he went to his
club
All day long drs Eardslcy had tried
ITO Keep up the white fires OF her in.
ilgnstion. but failed miseTably as the
afternoon wore on. She had a present.
ment that Thomas would come home
With one Of his headaches Two sery
Egs Of rabbit always did H. Poor
1sn: Away of working his head off
N a. old stuffy office on such q day
NTH 4 Noo1nNhn When eha haS a