Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1888-06-28

worse than thatI
al don't understand" she said, husk-
lily, Ms n feeling of ~forebodinS crept over
her heart
81 can't explain it now. l conld not
face you and acknowledge my own viii
lainy."
Just then others entered the room
and they parted without further expla-
nation. When he came home
again he was more than ever
dissatisfied with his W fe, and seri-
ously thought of committing suicide to
end his m~isery-never dreaming that
he was one of the most favored mortals
on whom the sun shone If he had only
been sens. BILE enough 20 realize it. He
considered that he owed Louise an ex-
PLANTATION, besides he longed TO write
to her and perhaps receive II reply, any
way; so he wrote a long account of
his former courtship, his unhappy mar
riage, present miserable state increas-
ed by his ardent affection for herself,
and ended be describing the obstacle to
their union as n being utterly devoid
of the finer sensibillties. with n soul
o aspiring beyond homework. He
was writing this epistle ia his Office,
and Just as he was about TO close. who
should step in but his wife. He thrust
the letter hurriedly into a book and
turned with a very embarrassed coun-
tenance to greet her. Her suspicious
and curiosity were aroused at once,
and she invented an excuse for sending
him out. possessed herself of the letter
and read it in his absence, then wrote
below his last line
'sNo need to send this. The objectional
obstacle will be removed by first train to
Malvern Crossing.
Lucy WISTHRoP."
Then placed the letter again where
she had found it.
Some women wOuld have tainted.
some would have cried, it is safe to
say that nine out of ten would have
made a scene, but Lucy was that tenth
one who will suffer and make no sign.
She chatted pleasantly for five min
utes or more with her husband when
he returned, quite as though nothing
had happened. then picked up her
purchases and started home. When
she reached the street, however. her
self control begaH TO 'ebb. She worked
off some of her excitement by walking
home. rs if her life depended on her
speed, and when once there. she gath
cred up what things she had brought
when she came there a hr de, packed
them and her own and her child's
clothing. called II draw and had them
removed to the depot, and was on her
way to Malvern Crossing before her
husband had succeeded in getting rid
| of two clients who had come in as
Lucy went out, so as TO finish his letter.
When at last lie was alone again he
drew the missive forth feeling guilty rs
a thief. as lac remembered how near
his wife had come to detecting him in
his treachery. But when he read her
comments at the bottom of the page he
was stunned But he must stop her
going. Shame, ,contrition. fear of
scandal all working upon him at nee.
lent rather a hang.dog appearance to
him as lac entered his WI house.
Every thing was topsy-turvy for the
first time since he was married. he
began to realize tao late ut least one of
his wife's virtues. Finding her gone
he took the next train in pursuit and
found her ia her fathers parlor. and
there made his confession and apology
and promises to never do so again
without avail however. After hearing
him through and listening to his petit
ton that she return to him, she said,
scornfully:
''Not for worlds!'
Not if you could offer her a king.
dom should she return To you, sou ras-
cal!' exclaimed her father. Amt
you n pretty specimen of mankind.
leaving your wife at home and galvant-
ing round the country making mashes
on other womeRi l am able and will
ing to support my daughter, and the
sooner you get out of my house the
better. And mind YOU don't show
your face here again. Vamoose!"
Here he emphasized with his cane,
i'm such Il manner. thas his son-in-law
thought best to retire.
He waited IL week. expecting their
anger to cool. then went back again.
His father-in-law met him at the gate
and threatened to have him arrested If
he ever came on his farm again. So
he troubled them no more.
Eight months later, Lucy gave birth
to a girl, and; with the inconsistency
of a woman. named it Louise. Two
years later. she was mot fed of her
husbands application for II divorce,
and a little later she read of his mar
riage to Louise, eldest daughter of
Senator Seely." Her father was dead
by this time, SO she decided to move
west. Not wishing ever to know or TO
be known by any former acquaint-
ances. she changed her own and chill
drens name 10 Ashley, aud under this
cognomen we find them. several years
later. located on II homestead in wes-
tern Nebraska, as mentioned in the be-
ginng OF our story.
The hired man and girl WHO worked
for Mrs. Ashley. and were brother and
sister, had been called away the morn
ing of the 10th to the s;ck-bed of their
mother; so only herself and the chill
dren were at home. Julian studied his
lesson, and little Louise practiced her
music while the mother crocheted.
The wind howled and the sleet came
against the windows with such force ii
seemed it would break them. Sudden
ly In the rtidst of the roaring. there
came a sound just outside the window
like the neighing of II horse. They
"