Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-11-25
Moonlight and
Money
u n
BY Marion Ruqincam
FROM BAD TO WORSE
Oh PT1cR ~

CHAEITR 81
1t Is not the great adventures nor
the great tragedies of life that kill
love. A lukewarm affection can ven
be stimulated by such trials, possibly
because there is such a strong ele-
ment of a about big adven-
lures or big tragedies. 1t is the little,
day-by-day irritations, the petty
economies, h a are the drops of
water wearing away the solid rock of
any love. 1t is a joy to make some
large sacrifice for ones beloved, but
to go along week in and week out
making useless, undressing little
sacrifices is deadly.
1t was this condition which threat
ened Harry and Louise. Each would
gladly have made some supreme re-
nunciation for the other, but both
were allowing the little things to en-
danger their affection.
Your cigarettes cost too much"
Louise said irritably one night.
All right, I'll cut them out II you
want me to- Harry answered, in
what he thought vas a soothing tone.
II don't want you to do anything
was his reward for this remark. Its
merely a question of whether you
want to go with half enough to eat,
or go without smoking. The prices
of everything are getting higher right
along n 1 can't manage on our
present allowance"
well, III smoke q pipe and give
you the difference" Harry said.
A few weeks after that Louise
turned to him suddenly as they sat
by the lamp in the living room.
Your awful pipe makes me sick,
II smells so. Why can't you find a
tobacco or a pipe that wtn't have
such an awful odor?"
Il could If l paid more for them.
but I'm trying to be economical, CIV
ing you the difference in money, you
know"
I'm not spending it for anything
but meat II groceries, please re-
member" Louise retorted, her cheeks
flushing a sudden red.
MY dear" soothed the man, IT
didn't say you did. I'm only trying
to please you You didn't like the
cigarettes; now you don't like the
pipe. If you'll tell me what you do
like-!"
Il don't suppose you have to smoke
at ALL" Louise answered. IF you do
have to use that awful pipe, I shan't
sit here with you in the evenings"
Sweetheart, don't be unreasona-
ble," Harry protested. II only smoke
because 1t quiets my erves."
Il don't ave to sit here and eat
chocolate creams for my nerves."
Louise said, with a woman's lack of
comprehension as to the soothing
qualities of blue smoke.
ION, all right them" Harry ex-
claimed pettishly, and threw his pipe
and tobacco into the open fire.
1t burned slowly among the brush
wood which Harry had collected and
stored so carefully for open fires
through the long winter evenings. He
had dreamed of quiet hours watching
the dancing flames, of reading there
In the warmth, Of soothing smokes
n of Louise, perhaps in the circle
of his arm, while they ead and talk
ed and planned together. The burn
ing pipe made of the fire a sacrihcial
altar now, and Louise-Louise lac
burst into sudden passionate tears.
lie vas q little too hurt by her
to want TO quiet her, and
when he turned finally, she had left
the room. Then the knowledge of
the Secret-the Dear Secret, as
Louise had called it-came back to
him again, and he felt remorseful.
Probably women were never quite
normal in temperament at such
times, he reasoned, SO he went up
stairs. thinking to find her in bed
she 4 q queer child's trick of bury
RAAAOh9 hhCh oIl6
cried. But the room was empty and
the little nursery. now almost fur
nished, was empty and dark. But
the rose-colored bedroom which
Louise had fixed as a guest chamber
showed him a closed door.
Louise" he called, his face
against the blank surface of wood.
Yes" a muffled answer
from inside.
Aren't you coming out?" 1t was
a small-boy appeal to his little play
mate, but both felt too tragic at the
moment to recognize any humorous
aspects.
NO" Louise answered from with
in.
Don't you want me anywhere
near?' Harry asked w~istfully.
NO." Louise answered again.
And Harry went disconsolately
downstairs to the living room fire,
bereft of even the consolation of his
pipe and filled with a new and sick
enlng fear.
TomorroT-Nrs. Shaftsbury's
Promise