The courier-index., 1920-10-22
A Wife on Probation
By oTiLIIA F. PFEIFFER
(@l 1880. Western N.w.p.p.r Union


 There was not a grain of sentimen- tality or nonsense in the make up of Gregory Lane, he was proud to boast to his friends A widower for Is years. he had brought up his son, Ho- mer, as would a strict disciplinarian and had turned out fine young man in all respects.
 When you have made your way Into solid business position and the future is assured" Mir. Lane told Ho- mer, 1t is natural and sensible to think of marrying, not before." and the speaker considered this as a sort of warning that would have re- stralning influence on the young man.
 When the latter was twenty-two Mir. Lane sent him to the city to enter the offices of the Central Railway Equip ment company, in which he had large interest. The reports he re- ceived from Homer and from his em- ployers for the first year inspired the old man with the deepest pride and satisfaction. Homer had developed salesmanship qualifications of no mean order. It was through him that an extensive contract was received cov- ering construction in Buenos Aires.
 Then there came, suddenly, jarring- ly to Gregory Lane, a, development that for time disrupted his living plans and caused the first hard feel ings he had ever experienced against his son. It's arrival was heralded by the appearance at the old home of a bright, presentable young fellow about Homer's age, who announced In a preliminary way that he was close friend of Homer and a fellow em- ployee.
 Homer sent me to see you, Mir. Lane," he said, land I hope what I have to communicate will not distress you, for Homer has married a young lady you must like and respect, as we all do. if you will take the trouble to learn of her good qualities"
 There Maurice Page was halted In his disclosures by the old man spring ing to his feet as though cannon ball had struck him. His face grew purple, his gray locks seemed to vi- brate electrically, his lips trembled as he uttered hoarsely:
 You mean to tell me that my son has married without notifying me of his intentions or seeking my consent2"
 Tt came about so strangely" said Page. Please let me tell the whole cforu Mir Ton0 ond am sura V0n will not blame him. Homer has mar ried the sweetest girl in the world. He has been calling upon her for some months, and just week ago her fa- ther died, leaving his mo:herless daughter nothing but debts. Her po- sition was a pitiable one. Homer act ed on an impulse of his generous na- ture. There was quiet wedding yes terday morning. Within the same hour the house informed Homer that he would have to take the first steamer to South America, to reach Buenos Aires and protect several millions of railroad supplies in litigation. Hus- band of an hour, he bade his wife, Vera. farewell, instructed me what to do, and Mrs. Lane is a guest of my mother until some permanent arrange ment can be made for her."
 And what has all this got to do with mel" demanded Gregory Lane, his face presenting an icy infiexibility. "As against every tacit promise he has made me, Homer weds in defiance of all sense and order"
 "Nfr. Lane," interjected Page plead ingly, Tit will break his heart if you do not receive the daughter he has won you. She is practically homeless" And a new phase of feeling influenced the indignant father as, youth against age, the fervent pleas availed. Greg ory Lanes temper did not unbend, but he spoke gruffly:
 "Very well, let Homer's wife come on probation"
 The trembling llcle refugee came to the great gloomy home much in the frame of mind of destitute one seeking an unfriendIy and unwelcome shelter. In imagination the old man had pictured some brazen, artful ad- venturess, who had captivated his son. some extravagant woman, disdaining work, thinking only of the luxury the Lane wealth might bestow. Therefore he prepared to accept what was an unwelcome burden on probationary basis His two servants were dis charged, fully half of the house closed up. When Vera came all was chill. dark, forbidding. The usfriendly, sus- picious atmosphere fairly froze her. When there presented a complaining. miserly old creature, she saw little hope in the future of harmony and happiness. Then love, deep. earnest Ideal grappled with the problem that fate had awarded her to solve.
 "For Homer's sake!" she whispered tervently to herself, and bent to the task of winning the perverse nature of a tyrant by gracious words and deeds.
 Gregory Lane, was making the test severe and trying, but Vera withstood hotfCahnid