The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-01-21
Written Tor the Tuiis1aoo'is 3s1tineil
META WOODRUFF.
By Mrs. Addis Dsiteb Fcsnk.
caIPrER XVII.

wife. Lima took no notice OF Whist be said,
bu. sat down in an easy chair BY the CRATE.
uLina. did you not hear the Announce
nent Jack Just nader" Mr. Woodruff asked.
sYes, bat they do NOT care TO see me, az
DIR. Grey and his wife have no particular
love for Lima Mason. Have them shown
mp here by 81 msans. as I dare say Mrs.
Grey IL anxious TO see her uncle; il not she
would have waited until 70. morrow 70 CALL
Lima said coldly.
''Show them up, jack. shall be very glad
ia see Gertie once more. DO not 90, Arthur.
1 want you to be good friend of Gsrties,
for i: you and Meta are eyer married."
What do you mean, Give Woodruff
Interrupted Lima.
rnat ne Isyes my daughter, snd has
ssked 10Y consent to hls marrying her. If
he is willing"
rs this true. Arthur Braden? You do
not answer me. know il is true. But.you
dare potimsrry her; you belong to anothsr."
"Ycu do not speak the truth, Lima. was
once engaged, but the lady married another
sno L was released. l am now free MAD,
snd II Meta Woodruf will have me, | will
make her my WIFE," replied Arthsr
Yet you promised to remain single, and
Il she WIS ever free, to marry her"
1 should have kept my promise in regard
T. marrying her. even though did love an
other. l should have tried to make her
happy, for the long weary years she spent IN
wa ting for me to marry her. Bat her husband
may outlive either of rs Ny conscience
oothers me, and feel as i9I bad committed
some great crime IN waiting for her husband
TO die"
How often have you told her of your
great. undying love for herr Do you call
dhis base deception being honorable
Il did love her, but she made me almost
bate her by her wicked actions
Who is this woman, Lima? Can't
be you, my wife, VINO has deceived me
lbusgn
Have ever given you cause to doubt or
mistrust me, CliveP'
No, yet soalsthing tells me- that all is
Lot right here"
How unjust you are. / mad not thought
you capable OK being so.n
Lima, are you willing to swear TO me that
g0u sre not the woman OF whom Arthur
a Yourself have been speekiRg2
YES, swear it, this wicked woman ar
Svered. IN q voice without the least emo
ton. She had no other choice than to tell
IA lshood il vas necessary to save her from
ruin. But her anawer did not satisfy her
husband
Arthur, you also willing to swear to
tbi-1"
What was be to cav? He could not tell
erect fsisehood. he knew that TO confess his
own and Eina's guilt would cause Give
Woodraf to turn away from his wife for
ever would cause bjm to curse them both.
He glanced toward Lima and saw her eyes
nxed upon him with wild expression and
understood their meaning.
Mr. Woodruff, the woman | make my
vile | will trust until Der inidslity is
sroveD,' hs answered, trying TO give salts.
factprv answer, vet eva0inS the direct one TO
= IN an
You are right, Arthur, and you make me
FEEL ashamed OF myself for having doubted
my wife's integrity for one moment. For
give me, Lima, If you can"
Il do forgive you; but can not forget so
sonn."
Perhaps dear reader, you may think that
woman - wicked IS Ina WOodraf never
existed. Nevertheless it is true. Sometimes
= wonder why God allows them to remain
here in this beautiful world; why He does
not strike them down in their paths of wick
sGness. But He knows what is best.
Lima felt relieved when the door opened
and Gertie and her husband entered. She
was the same tall, queenly Geriie of old. A
lew months passing by rapidly had made no
change in her. With one bound she was by
her uncle's side, her arm around his neck,
aud sh0wering kisses upon him.
Oh, unclel / can not tell you half how
glad am TO see you. Poor fellow, 1 heard
of your illness, and was so sorry for you.n
anxiously.
Not since left home. uncle. On. here is
cur mutual friend. Mr.. Braden. and Madam
Reek, too. Oh, Madam, an so glad to see
you. X seems as though years had passed
7usiead OF few short months since We
parted"
''Indeed, am most happy ct meeting you
again, and you too, DR.. Grey" Madam
Reek said kissing Gertie and extending her
small, white hand to Dr.. Grey. This gentle
appearance; at least We thought go when we
saw bis happy. smiling facs as his eyes fol-
lowed every movement OF his wife.
Mrs Grey, you are looking remarkably
we'll. y said Lina, as she extended the tips OF
her fingers to Gertie.
II her heart Lima Woodruff liked Gsrtie,
but would not have let her known it or
even given her cause 10 think so. For was
shs not Msta's cousin and dearest friend2
Gsliie had no love for her uncle's wife,
neither bad she any particular dislike for
hsf. She eDdeavored 70 treat her with all the
respect due Mr.. Woodrufs wife.
You say you have not heard from Meta
lately" asked Dir. Woodruff
Not fer fortnight. ct least, aud then not
direct from the lady herself" Gertie said,
s1cing scroSs at Madam Reek, who sat OPP
poetic her.
Do you also know where she is? Madam
Reek has been nd enough 70 inform me of
Der knowledge of my daughters where
abouts, but dare not reveal her hiding
place.
II do know, uncle, but like your good
nurse, have given q most solemn promise to
keep Der secret. ! am sorry that you are
obliged % live apart as you were always so
devoted to each other
Believe me. child, IL has caused me many
hours of unhsppiness, and IL I could, 1
would bring her home st once"
II understand yoa, uncle and wish Il
xSre in nv power to make you all love each
other"
.Ard l understand your insinustioas,
Mrs. Grey. I ackncwlsdge that Meta and
% not serse. but that can be no business of
YOURS Lima interrupted haughtily.
Nor was trying to make il my business.
II ven will control your temper for few