The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-04-01
Ny husband greeted her with smile

She greeted me with warm embrace
and kiss. 1 liked her 1 could not
help doing so, she seemed so innocent /;
while she seemed to worship Chester and
me.
told Harvey he must help her enjoy
the Summer by waiting on her to the
various places of interest, and it was
surprising how willingly he obeyed On
Sundays they went to church. I did
not go, as some one had to remain at
home. Once he had hired boy to
come and relieve me, but things had
changed since then. l was blind, and
thought it was no hardship to remain al
home.
Sometimes Mabel would say, with her
sweetest smile:
"Will you 60 berrying to-day, with
me, pet 2" the name by which she al
ways called me.
Whom l could I went, but when I
could not she would prevail on Harvey
to go, and then she would say:
"You won't be Jealous of poor littl
met You know I don't have a chance
to 60 Deriving every Summer, and am
afraid of COWS and snakes, and dare not
60 alone"
Of course 1 would excuse her on that
plea, and was not afraid to trust
Harvey.
At last there was vague rumor
floating to the effect that my husband
was false to me-that he lovad Mabel
Mace. l did not believe it, and, even
though 1 saw the looks Of pity be-
slowed upon me, I did not doubt my
husband. I believed he was still true,
while Mabel might be weak, but not
wicked; no, I could not believe her
that. But at last there came a day
when was forced to believe. 1 could
doubt hearsay, but 1 could not doubt
his spoken words, and heard him tell
that girl he loved her better than all the
world beside.
The bitterness of that hour I shall
never forget. I was too proud to CEN
sure him, or to sue for q love that was
mine by right, but vowed that l would
not live with the man who had given
his love to another. packed up what
few things I needed for Chester and
myself, and sent my husband on an
errand to the city. Of course Mabel
accompanied him. Then started out
in the great, wide world, with no friend
but my innocent boy. 1 left my hus-
band this note:
"SIR Il have called you husband for
the last time while life remains; 1
blush for shame to be obliged to call
you the father of nv boy. You are
free to love Mabel. Some women
might forgive you; I never can. She
is weak and easily influenced ; that is
my excuse for her. 1 have none for
YOU; you knew you were breaking the
holliest vow of your life, and disgracing
your wife and child. You need not fol-
low me, for you will not find me hence
forth we are strangers.
The letter was written in bitterness
of soul it seemed as though my love
had turned to hate; yet l had loved
Hyrvey with my whole SOUL had no
money. l would not take one cent of
his
stood ON the bridge where the stage
would pass me. Soon saw it coming.
l told the driver that l was going away,
and asked him for a ride. He looked
at me, and questioned me until told
him all. He advised me to return, but
l told him that l would seek rest beneath
the waters of the river rather than re-
turn to my dishonored home. He took
me in, and at the station he handed me
ten dollars, saying:
"You may need it. Keep it f; pay me
when you can. And may God bless and
keep you !"
From my Utmost soul thanked the
kind old man. In after years was able
to repay his kindness, but never the
debt of gratitude owe.
took the first train for Portland only
to mislead my husband, for on reaching
the transfer station took the train for
the mountains. 1t necessitated me extra
change, but was ny safest plan. I had
one friend there could depend on he
obtained situation for me as table girl
in one Of the large hotels. l passed as
widow; for was not l worse than
widowedi
Chester was the favorite of the house,