The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1919-04-10

Tor me.
"Well, I'm long way from being
poor yet" he countered. poor? Well,
1 should say not Can anyone call me
poor, with you and the baby, and
job, and roof over it all? Poorf
With me managing things? Not
Cheer up, grille, and see what I've got
for you. It's just little something
for you to wear the next Sunday you're
able to go out"
She took the necklace and admired
1t. Then she held out her arms to him.
"You thoughtful, noble boy" she
| whispered.
| "Oh, Cy, deari l forgot to tell you.
The man was here today and turned
| off the gas. He said the bill hadn't
been paid"
"Well, what a stupid oversight on
my parti I'll stop in there and make
them have it turned on again tonight"
"How have things gone with you to-
day, sweetheart? Dear me! You look
completely worn out"
"Finei" he lied, and turned away his
| face. Now / must go, and | won't
leave you alone a minute longer than
l can help. Here is today's paper.
You can read it tomorrow"
He tossed the copy he had picked up
in the park upon the bed.
When the door closed behind him,
Jones collapsed. He was all In. NOT
So however, with Jones spirit. 1t took
him, willy-nilly, to the druggists, the
grocer's, the dairy, and the gas office;
and 1t forced Jones to make the four
greatest talks" of his life.
"The grand smash for mine tomor-
row night" said Jones to himself, on
his way back to the house.
Half famished as he was, Jones man.
aged to control himself and to cook
his supper before he ate it. BY the
time he had devoured it his whole be-
ing was shouting for relaxation and
rest. So, after rapid preparations for
the night, he sought his cot, which had
been set up in the little dining room,
stretched himself upon it, and immedi-
ately fell into deep sleep.
From a phantasmagoria of doctors,
sick persons, hospitals, babies, sour
faced men who refused him work,
house agents, tradesmen, children on
roller-skates, little girls who had lost
things, restaurants where he had eat
en- but could not pay, the police, 1ails,
and the like he was released by
cry from his wife. He awoke, and with
a bound was on his feet.
It was early morning.
"What is it. Helen, darling" he
cried, as he rushed into the next room,
fear gripping him.
She was propped up by pillow
and was excitedly reading the copy
of the newspaper he had given her the
night before.
"My beads, Cyrus! My beads"
she exclaimed "Where did you get
them?"
He sat weakly down upon the foot
of the bed.
downtown" he faltered.
did you buy them or did you find
them?" she questioned eagerly.
81 found them near Merry's on
Fifth avenue" he replied shamefaced-
ly, certain that all his perfidy was now
discovered.
"Oh, Splendid I just knew it! l
was certain of it. Here, read that"
He took the paper and saw:
81, 100000 reward and no questions asked
upon the return of plain necklace of six
ty-nine 69) rose-tinted pearls, recently
lost on Fifth avenue. Forty-second to
Fifty-ninth streets
H. T. LEFFINGWOLD. Hotel Shropshire
"Helen, it can't be true!" he gasped
as the two gazed at each other, wide
eyed. "Let me see them, quick"
She withdrew the necklace from its
hiding place under her pillow.
His sleep-laden eyes frightened as
he beheld it. He examined the beads
carefully and counted them.
"Pearls!"
No doubt of it whatever in the light
of his present information.
Jones' homecoming on this day Of
all days was triumphal progress. He
and his spirits were making holiday.
When his latch-key again admitted
him he had receipts In full from the
doctor and from his creditors Of the
previous night.
There was also slip which record
ed the fact that he had paid two
months rent in advance. properly
signed by the astonished agent.
In the inner pocket Of his vest there
was also. reposing snugly. a bank.
| book.
"Was 1t true?" she called anxlously
as ne entered. "Was It really and
truly trueT"
GAS true as ever was, sweetheart"
he answered chuckllng, as he came
into her presence. "And here is an.
other present"
what! A bank-booki
Nothing less, my dear. And 1t re-
| cords the wealth of Helen JONES'"
"Not all of it," she answered, fluihed
with joy. ut is the very least Of my