The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1927-01-21

was the use? He might not even come
home to dinner. She went back, flung
herself down, and wept and sobbed
as never had she done before.
After time she heard his latchkey
in the door. She rose quickly and
tried to battle away the traces Of her
tears. She did not mean he should
see how she had suffered, or that she
had seen him with Mamie Beck. She
meant to find out how far things had
gone. If she could prove that he did
love this other woman she would have
good grounds for divorce! 1t seemed
now to mean the wrecking of her
whole life!
She met her husband with an Icy
reserve that left him very little oppor-
tunity for attempts at reconciliation.
The next morning, having thawed a
little, he met her more than half way.
But as fate or some other psychology
ical factor would have it, that very
day she again saw Harry with. Mamie
Beck. They stood outside of shop,
and oh, horrors she saw him hand
her money. There was no installing
it for Mamie opened her purse and
put it In, and both laughed heartily as
they parted.
No wonder she, his wife, was be-
rated for spending foolishly when he
was giving money to other women.
That evening Harry met his wife
more affectionately than ever. He had
nice little surprise for her, and he
opened parcel he had brought in.
He proudly displayed purple shirt
waist about two years out of date, a
pair Of cheap, yellow silk stockings
/. several sizes too large. AID petit
coat built for miss Of fourteen.
He tried to preserve strictly neu-
trail exterior as he noted the look of
dismay with which Annabel surveyed
the articles.
81 got them so cheap, dear, couldn't
resist buying them. hope you like
the things. had an awful time get
ting them, there was such mob Of
women. But you see I did think Of
you!"
Harry Harte! You know I never
wear purple" cried Annabel.
"Oh, don't your" he responded with
carefully assumed Innocent surprise.
sand these stockings Do you think
l wear number nine shoe?"
"They are trifie large. aren't
they?"
"A man never knows about such
things. Please don't buy anything
more"
1t was Harte's turn to put on the
hurt air, which he did with all due
elaboration. Annabel certainly was
devoid of sense of humor. Never
theless about two days later he ap-
peared before his astonished wife
with a pair of diversified gloves, and a
Rat Of the vintage Of 1910. which he
told Annabel he had bought for her
for next to nothing.
This was the last straw. Annabe!
overlooked with indignation.
II see 1t ALI" she stormed. you
want to make a perfect fright of me
so people will sympathize with you for
being tied up to such trump, and SO
you can get a divorce and marry
Mamie Beck!''
Harte's face expressed utter despair.
this time not all assumed. His trump
card had failed.
"Well, thought 1 was pleasing you,"
ne said disconsolately. II suppose II
you had married Tom Bennett you'd
have liked what he bought for YOU"
His retOrt was so nearly identical
with her own on a previous occasion
that suddenly a light seemed to break
in on her.
Did he really care for her? But
what about Mamie Beck, and what she
had seen with her own eyes?
"Look here!" she cried. "You never
bought such atrocious things as these!
You couldn't have found them in
days journey! You just got someone
to do it,"
"Yes, l did"
"Was it Mamie Beck?"
Eyes,
'And you went and told her every
thingl"
Listen, dear! 1t was all accidental.
We met on the street, she saw how
miserable I looked, she drew it out of
me, she only wanted us both to be
happy again."
"Ohw
The exclamation was dry and doubt
full.
"Look here, Annabel! Everything
she said and did was for"
For my good"
Something like that missing sense
of humor began to twitch the corners
of her mouth.
"Well-I guess she was right" said
Annabel. ASK her to dinner tomor-
row. It's no more bargain counters
for me, honey-if you'll swear off,"
The compact was not signed in
words. but something much more ex-
pressive.