Evening star., 1919-02-23

.
they had hastened the afianced of
the town to the altar by the delights
ful adequacy OF their accommoda-
tions--temporary, for the first year.
For most OF those who moved In
the apartments proved only tempo
rary abodes; these. having moved
into the little houses further out
passed Corey's now with only delight-
fnl recollection OF their first year.
But for others who came when Corey's
was new, the fats had become the
accepted home. Slowly, gradually. as
tent days came and went, tho hope
Of being able to leave Coreys sank
TO anxiety over ability to stay; new
leases, when they were signed by
these. no longer dared demand re-
decorating and reflttings upon the
pcate granted those tenants whose
checks were certain to be found at
the agents oftice on the lst of every
month. So one wing OF Corey's be
came known as the permanent
wing"
In the single bedroom Of the apart
ment on the third floor of this wing
tho wife woke early one November
e
husband had been up and dressing
for many moments before she stirred
She sat up. shivering, and pulled the
coyerlet about her for the room had
the stagnant, penetrating cold of an
kariy winter morning. when the win
dow has only just been closed and
the steam heat is only beginning TO
hammer In the radiator.
Though she knew 1t must be almost
O'clock. It was so dark in the bath
room that her husband was shaving
by the electric light.
From the kitchen, which was di-
fectly opposite their bedroom. came
fhe acrid odor Of gas burning too
high under a kettle.
"Raiph~ she called to her husband,
kuiltlly.
= He put down his razor and turned
about. wiping the soap from his face.
"Dearie. I woke before the alarm
went of. so stopped 1t. wanted
you to sleep a while longer"
WHY" she asked.
ID placed dearie." he said. with
hofteniug of his y1ice.
Yes" she replied. aware of the
tame awe In her own word.
You can't do anything at the office
before It's time to see Fanston. You'd
better get all the rest here you can"
Yes" she agreed. and lay down,
Trying not to think of the Fanston
brder.
!. She succeeded In staying quiet until
Ralph finished shaving. but when he
vent into the kitchen she put on XII
mono and slippers and went into the
tiny pine s tanned for oak diniaa room
Ind laid q place for him at the table
before he finished fishing his very
hard d-boiied eggs from the kettle.
. When they sat down: That blue tie
looks we'll with that suit dear, Isn't
tho air sharp and cold this morning.
She made an attempt to keep off the
pne subject on both their minds: but
her hand, reaching over the table to-
ward his. clenched unconsciously. He
it and. lifting it. kissed ii
until 1t relaxed. Then, seeing the
tears which came to her eyes, he arose
and pulled her up against him, hold
Ing her tight.
! why. Edith wife" He stroked her
Forehead and hair. There's other
business besides Fanston's to get"
Yes, of course. l know it." She
kissed him almost violently.
a besides. we've good chance at
Eanston, anyway. Their lawsuit with
Narrow isn't going to hold them back
Pm their printing. They're going right
ehead with the catalogue. and if we
pont get 1t. We'll get something else
pig soon. surely"
yes yes. of course. ] was foolish"
!. She ran for his overcoat, helped him
e.
!. Surely there was. as he had said,
eomo other big order which they
fmight get If they lost the Fanston
business. There was always another
pig order just ahead; there always
had been one
Fourteen years before-when she
was twenty and just home from the
Htate university, and he was two years
elder and had been at work one year.
md had just bought the big printing
presses--they had announced their
Pngagement on the certain prospect
Rf big order which was about to
bone.
There was no reason why 1t never
eamo. Amy one Of half a dozen firms
In Springfield besides Fanston's
PECULIARLY used enough catalogues
FOLDERS and other fine printed matter
20 pay Ralph a fair profit If he could
yet the entire order for the year,
but the best and most profitable
part or the big, steady orders still
went to the city. sixty miles away.
Ralph got only the rush" irregular
prders or. when he desperately made
price to get big business, it was at
sacrifice which brought him no
proht--too often actually loss-and
which brought no further orders ex-
pept at the same cut
So for six endless years they waited.
apart. the always impending 'land-
ng" OF the sort of order which would
permit their having a home. Then
they married, to await the order to-
Eether. taking a fat at Corey's-