Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1888-02-23

traduce my husband, even thougn
every word were true?"
MRS. Denham, / know that have
offended you,' pleaded he. IL forgot
myself. Your lonely life, the indiffer-
ence of your husband, and your Pu-
preme loveliness-"
"Mr. Brandon" she sternly inter-
rupted, you are continuing the insult.
i misunderstood you ittle-you mis-
understood me q great deal more. 1
once respected you good deal-.now
do not respect you at oil. Nay, de-
spise you. am shocked, but hold my
self blameless, for never by thought,
word or act led you to suppose that
you could humilate me in this way. l
never complained to you about my hus-
band; never admitted to myself that
I had reason to complain. If my life
has been lonely one wasn't aware of
it. 1t certainly has not been q loveless
one. You say that you forgot your
self. A gentleman never forgets him
self. You shall never forget yourself
again in my presence. You must leave
this house at once, never to return to
it."
MRS. Denham@"
"You twitted me, sir, because I had
no protector. IL seems that need to
be protected from you. Go, traitorous
friendl"
Although his lips parted and there
was movement of the muscles of his
throat, he did not say word. He
stood abashed, disconnected, baffied,
self-condemned. He struggled for a
moment with his passion, then bowed
low, seized his hat and walked out of
the house.
Mrs. Denham sank into the nearest
chair and went off into q hysterical
spell of weeping. She keenly felt her
humiliation; she censured herself be-
cause she had been too unsuspectful /;
she mentally admitted that her life had
at times seemed desperately lonely to
her.
Lisle Denham was deeply stirred by
what he had heard and witnessed. The
strongest emotions were those result
ing from self-crimination and admira-
tion for the loyalty exhibited by his
wife.
II have been fool" he muttered to
himself; "a selfish, unappreciative
wretch. Yes, Maggie indeed has been
O neglected wife. It needed something
like this to show me how remiss have
BEEN"
He waited until her grief had largely
spent itself; then he noiselessly APP
preached her. He stood directly over
her. Her face was buried in her arms,
and her frame shook with sobs that
she could not entirely repress.
maggie, what is the matterp" he
softly, tenderly asked.
She sprang quickly to her feet. her
heart almost standing still, the delight
in her eyes blending with CONSERVATION.
"Oh, Lislel" she cried. Il am SO
glad you have come"
She flung herself into his arms and
kissed him wildly, her whole form quiv-
ering with excitement.
-Ha ratnrnad her caressea: he drew
her closer to him; he imprisoned her
hands; he spoke in the softest accents
of love.
"What happened, dearP" he asked.
"I-have = been = frightened" she
stammered."
"By some tramp, no doubt" Lisle
said. "Poor child You have been left
too much alone"
There was such hearty sympathy in
his tone that she lifted her sweet, tear.
stained face from his shoulder, and
looked at him with an intense yearnine
in her eyes.
"Lisle, she cried, in broken, wall.
ing voice, you love me, don't you,
Lisle?"
"Love you, darlingl" he exclaimed
"Why, what do you mean, child2 Dc
1 love you? No man could love his
wife with more devot' on. may not be
very demonstrative. but it is there"
"Oh, thanks, Lisle," she cried in
ecstasy, and clasping her hands. "Oh
I bless you for saying that. Don't fan
cy for moment that I doubted you
Only-Well, don't mind me; We
been frightened, and-am-dreadfull J
tired. 1 am silly, hysterical little
thing"
"On the contrary, darling, you are Q
brave, sensible, uncomplaining, true
hearted woman" he said, with grave
earnestness, his dark eyes shining into
hers.
She laughed in pleased, glad way