The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1882-10-25
and Mr.. Mcrrivale passedhim the scrap

and Mr.. Mcrrivale passed him the scrap
of paper.
Clarke took it, looked at it like a
mar in Il dream, then walked over tC
the table and examined it by the light,
"Lettcrs from my wife must have
been frequent if you cannot remember
the occasion of this" Mr.. Merrivalc
remarked, in his coolest manner.
"And shall be obliged to name an
other day" Clarke read aloud in Il be-
wildcrcd fashion, which, if assumed,
was certainly an excellent piece OF
acting.
"Oh, | know" he exclaimed at last,
all the anger dying out of his face,
why, Jack, that note vas written
when You were in Albany and Mrs.
Mcrrivalc was in Atlantic City. A
party of us was going down to spend
the day. and"
"Iou lie"
"Jack.."
q say you lie and say more, you
are an internal coward Us well as a
scoundrcl. Tell me where my wife is
or, by heavens, Illshoot you us | would
Il dog"
John Merrivale pulled a pistol from
his pocket and deliberately cooked it.
At that instant the silkcn portlerc
that separated the library from the
drawing-room was thrown one side
and Mrs. John Mcrrivalc appeared on
the scene. No Swccter vision could
possibly be imagined as the beautiful
woman glidcd swiftly to the side of
her husband.
Fair, petite, graceful, childlikc, yet
with Il womanlincSs that made itself
felt above even the passion and wretch
cdncss of this critical moment, she
held out her hand for the pistol.
at will he safer with me-" she said.
John Mcrrivale laid the pistol on the
table without a word.
"Clarkc is right about the note"
she went on "IOu see, | have over
heard some of your conversation. 1t
was Il business communication, the
first. last and only one. | left this
house, John, because l could not live
in it any longer and keep my sclf-rc-
spcct. I ought to have written you,
but | was too wildly wretchcd for that.
You have been a tyrant and Ia slave.
/ went to London to my father, and he
did not approve of my course and adj
vised my Immediate return. He came
with me tonight. l am sorry, Clarke,
that you have had to bear SO much on
my account, and please try and for
give me-"
Mrs. M~errivale extended her hand to
her friend and then turned to leave
the room. Her husband placed him
self in her way.
"You haven't asked me to forgive
you!" he said, in an unsteady tone.
81 tried to be a good wife," she re-
piled, simply. al failed sometimes.
Forgive those times if you cam"
Clarke turned to leave the room.
"For heavens sake, Clarke, don't
90" Mr.. Merrivalc exclaimed. 81
have been Il brute ana q 1901. fOr-
give me, old fellow, andtry and remem-
Der the awful p%rovocation l thought |
had. Say yes, Clarke"
For answer the magnanimous fellow
extended his hand in token of full
forgiveness.
Nov Mildrcd"-Mr. Merrivale was
getting back little ofhis old manner
Il cntreat you totrya and ~fcrgiveme. 1t
seems to me 1 have suffered most
enough. Here are your rings, dear"
and Mr.. Mcrrivalc drew the jewels
'FRONT.' his pocket and placed them on
her fingers. Mildred, l will be a
tyrant no longer. 1 will love you and
cherish you as my OWL precious wife,
SO help me God, as long rs VIC are
spared to each other. Mildred, darling,
you did right to leave me. 1t was Il
lesson | sadly needed. But forgive
me and trust me now, or 1 cannot
bear it."
For answer a radiant face was up
turned to him and Il pair of loving arms
cncirclcd his neck.