Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1919-06-13
The
Prom 1er'S
WIFE
By JANE PHELPS.
Copyright, George Mathew Adams)
NEIL'S CONSCIENCE TROUBLES
HIM
CHAPTER CXIX
By JANE PHELPS.
(Copyright George Mathew Adams,


~ crossed in his business that he
grudged every minute spent away
from it. Even his garden was neg
lected, and | did the best | could
with it in the little time that could
spare from my care of the house, and
other work | had taken upon myself.
My flowers suffered but vegetables
just at that time were very expensive
and more necessary to health than
flowers. The cost of living had risen
rapidly, and all we could save would
mean that we would more quickly be
out of debt.
| was always tired in those few
weeks of unaccustomed work My arm
arms and back ached so could scarce
ly sleep. But not one penny would |
spend for household help. Neil was
struggling, working all day and half
the night to gain foothold in the
business world again; to make men
forget that he had only escaped ar
rest by the skin of his teeth as he
expressed it. Why should | not do my
share? l had unquestioningly accept
ed his wealth, had spent his money
lavishly, had lived an easy life when
he prospered, Why should l not take
my share of the burden?
Neil had insisted upon giving me
an allowance. 1t was fairly gener-
Gus one considering everything.
at will be BETTER" he had said
when l objected. 81 can plan more
satisfactorily if 1 know there will
be no unforeseen demands. But make
1t do for everything, Bah. Thank
goodness we both have clothes
enough for some time.7
We had, but Robert grew so fast
that he was constantly in need O.
something. added sewing for hin,
making everything he wore save only
MS coats and trousers. l economics
IN ever way. did the washing anC
ironing as well as the cleaning: Wher
Nell-who supposed l hired a woman
Tor the rough work spoke of my,
hands-I laid their changed appear
ance to gardening, and laughed he.
cause he complained of their rougb
ness.
IL may seem that, when so great an
amount was owed, the little I could
save would not materially help. But
1t was surprising how fast it counted
up. Three people with no servants
and fine garden to supply all vege
tables can live very reasonably if
the housekeeper is economical. Many
times a day l felt grateful that
mother had made me learn to cook,
and that had practised that accom-
plishment in the first years of my
married life. l made tasty dishes
out of cheap cuts of meat, and my
warmed-overs Neil declared were bet
ter than the first serving. l cut out
sweets save occasionally, using fruit
for dessert-when we had it.
But was troubled. Neil had begun
to lose his ruddy color gained when
he worked in the garden. He had
great dark circles under his eyes and
seemed tired, too tired to talk often.
l argued with him, telling him if he
became i'll, it would only take him
longer to pay off his debts. He re-
Piled:
II haven't said much, Bah, but
can't stop thinking now nearly l
ruined your life and Roberts. | know
that had it not been for Frederick
I should now have been in Jail serv-
ing my sentence like any other GRIM
inal. Sometimes l wake up IN
cold sweat, thinking of it, dream
ing myself in behind prison bars,
while you and Robert are ostraclzed
because wanted to get rich quick.
Not that so much as by the riches l
gained | wanted to show what | could
do. | guess it is worse to have a
great ambition directed into wrong
channels, than it is to have no ambi-
tiCr at all"
"But you are doing all you can to
repair the wrong-you did yourself
as we'll as Others" tried to comfort.
eyes, / am doing all I can. But
Doh fool nc If NV solll