The Idaho recorder., 1921-12-16
CONSTANCE
BY ANNIE COLE.
SeseSeSgSeSg 100000

and selfish as Connie. But Joe. feel
ing that she loved him enough to
overcome her selfishness for his sake,
had paid no attention TO the warning.
Now, after six months OF married
life, the family's prophecy seemed
about TO be fulfilled. Connie was be-
ginning TO assume martyred attitude
and a habit OF numerically Aagging
him at every opportunity.
On this particular evening Connie
chose TO be especially nasty.
Business as usual, l suppose?" she
inquired. sweetly sarcastic. when he
came in late TO supper.
Receiving no reply. and seeming de-
termined 10 provoke him, she tried
again.
''Do you know" she asked. coolly
and deliberately. sometimes | wonder
II IL is all business !"
Instead of hanging up his hat he
replaced 1t on his head and gave vent
TO his temper.
Il am going out to restaurant!
Perhaps some day when it's too late
you'll come TO your senses! I've had
enoughv' Slamming the door angrily
after him. he left the house.
Connie was so surprised that she
forgot the haif-framed retort that was
on her lips. Joe had never spoken
like this TO her before. She began
to feel uneasy and wondered where he
had gone. After two or three hours
~ trVin,r 70 hnrSnlf Oh
into the bedroom and addressed her
self In the mirror.
Il don't care !" she said aloud. 81
don't care! I'll show him. don't
care If he never comes backi" And
just to prove that she didn't, she threw
herself down on the bed and cried her.
self to sleep.
When she awoke 1t was IL O'Clock.
How could she have slept so long?
And where was Joe? She wondered
II he really had left her, and began to
feel shaky. She decided 10 go 10 the
drug store for a drink.
While slipping a chocolate milk the
conversation OF two men at the cigar
counter came to her ears
"Where--at Geb a. Simmondsf"
"Yes, today--shortage of $4,000"
Funny mix-up, anyone suspected"
mo. not yet; but nobody handles
the money except old man Geh him.
self and that young fellow Joe"
Connie waited TO hear no more. Set
ting down her glass with a thump that
startled the sleepy drug clerk, she fed
from the store.
Ten thousand dollarsl So that is
what her incessant nagging had made
him do.
AS soon as she entered the house the
telephone rang. With her heart In her
throat she answered IL.
mo. he isn't here, Mr.. Geb.
Yes, I'll tell him to call you as soon
as he comes In. No message?
Yes. Good-by." She hoped
her voice had sounded natural.
SO they were after him already.
The sound of quiet footsteps on the
stairway sent chills up and down her
spine. They had come already What
should she dor With a show OF cour.
age that she did not feel she went 10
the door and threw II open. Her hus-
band stood facing her.
He looked very tired. and the hair
about his temples was damp with per-
spiration. Connie knew she had no
time to waste.
"Oh. Joe" she began breathlessly,
"caD You ever forgive mef It's all my
fault Give II back Don't let them
arrest you'll"
"For heavens sake, what's the mat.
ter with your demanded the thor.
oughly bewildered Joe, fearing for his
wife's sanity.
The insistent jangling OF the tele-
phone interrupted before she could
answer. Joe went into the dark hall
TO answer II, barking his shins on the
umbrella stand as he went. Connie
listened In amazesnent. From the
sheltering darkness Of the hall came
her husbands voice-firm, confident,
even laughing
"Yes, was going TO call you. Mr..
Geb. but was afraid It was too late.
. Yes. found the error
Nothing missing at ALL The
jokes on us. A hy-speck that
looked like a decimal point threw
whole column OF figures out Of bal.
nnce. Tonight at the Office
. q. oh, that's all right; you're wei
come. Good-by."
He hung up the receiver.
Then. all Of heap, a very penitent
Connie flung herself at him, sobblng
out her story. begging his forgiveness
and almost choking him with the
strangle-hold OF her arms about his
neck.
You poor little chumpi" Joe said !
teaslngly between kisses. He was
only too thankful that the miracle had |
happened at last.
"oh. Joe. viii be good" she prom.
ised tearfully.
And thereafter she kept her prom. |
ise. for the lesson Of the night had |
cured her. once and for all.
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