Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-06-22
,drrstand whyp I've been fool-aye.


worse than that!
IL don't understand. " she said. husk-
lily. rs . feeling of foreboding crept over
her heart
II can't explain it now. | conld not
face you and acknowledge my own viii
lainy."
just then others entered the room
and they parted without farther expla-
nation. When he came home
again he was more than ever
dssat SIZED with his W fe. and seri-
ously thought of committing suicide to
end his misery--never dreaming that
he was one of the most favored mortals
on whom the sun shone If he had only
been sens bic enough 20 realize il. He
considered that he owed Louise an ex-
PLANTATION. besdes he lOnged to write
to her and perhaps receive a reply. any
way; SO he wrote a long account of
his former courtship. his unhappy mar
riagc. present miserable state incrcas-
ed by his ardent affection for herself.
and ended be descr bing the obstacle to
their union as being utterly devoid
Of the finer sens bilitieS with soul
not aspiring beyond homework. He
was writing this epstle in his Office,
and just as he was about 10 close, who
should step in but his wife. He thrust
the letter hurriedly into book and
turned with very embarrassed coun-
tenance to greet her. Her suspicious
and curiosity were aroused at once,
and she invented an excuse for sending
II m out. possessed herself of the letter
and read il in his absence, then wrote
below his last line
mo need to send this. The objectional
'obstdcle' will he removed by first train 10
Malvern Crossing.
Lucy WINTHROP"
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 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 began to ebb She worked
of some of her excitement by walking
| home. as 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 lr de. packed
| them and her own aud her child's
clothing. called dra, and had them
removed to the depot, amt was on her
way to Malvern Crossing before her
/ husband had succeeded IN getting ID
Of two clients who had come in as
/ Lucy went out. so as to finish his letter.
! When at last he was alone again he
drew the missive forth feeling guilty rs
thief as he reniem uered how near
! hs wife had come to detecting him in
! his treacherv. But when he read her
comments AT the bottom of the page he
Was stunned. But be must stop her
! going. Shame, contrition. fear of
! scandal all working upon him ut once.
lent rather a hang dog appearance to
/ him as he entered his own house
Every thing was topsy-tnrvv for the
! first time since he was married. He
began to realize tao late NJ least one of
! his wife's virtues. Finding her gone
/ he took the next train 10 pursuit and
/ found her in her father 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,
scornfullv:
Not for worlds"
Not if YOU could ofrer her king.
dom should she return to YOU. : OH ras-
call" exclaimed her father. Amt
you pretty specimen of mankind.
leaving your wife at home and galvant-
ing round the country max NC mashes
on other women! L am abe and will
ing to support my daughter, and the
sooner you get out of NV house the
better. And mind you don't show
your face here again. 'amOose!
Here he emphasized W tn his cane,
in such "A manner. that his son-in-law
thought best to retire.
He waited 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 il
he ever came on his farm again. So
he troubled them no more.
Eight months later. Lucy gave birth
to girl. and; with the inconsistency
of woman. named it Louise. Two
years later. she was not fled of her
hus Stands application for divorce.
and a little later she read OF his mar
riage to Louise, eldest daughter Of
Senator Seely." Her father was dead
by tn 3 time. so she decided TO move
west. Not shing ever 10 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 homestead in wes-
tern Nebraska, as mentioned in the be-
CHING OF our story.
The hired man and girl who worked
for Mrs. Ashley. and were brother and
sister, had been called awav the morn
ing of the 10th to the s ck bed of their
mother; so only herself and the chill
dren were at homo. Julian studied his
lesson, and little Louise practiced her
mus while the mother crocheted.
The wind howled and the sleet came
against the windows with such force it
seemed it would break them. Sudden
ly In the midst of the roaring. there
came n sound Just outside the window