The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-10
MARRIED FOR MONEY.
The Two Letters and What They
Revealed.

The Two Letters and What They
Revealed.
Mrs. Estes looked at her friend Mrs.
Haslitt moment and laughed very
sweet peal of laughter, indeed.
Il believe"-her fine eyebrows went
up little-'I really believe-yes-that
you are in love with your husband! You,
Beatrice Howlandi"
The younger woman flushed, then
smiled, perhaps little bitterly.
SIS it so very extraordinary If amp"
"Very."
Mrs. Estes got up with q rustic of soft
silk. She was a very pretty woman;
one who still looked very young. In her
"set' what woman ever ceased to look
young until she was quite, quite old?
She was Divorce. The fact obliged
her, as she herself said, somewhat
plaintively, to be very careful
Standing near the heavy hangings Of
the drawing-room door, she glanced
back. Yes, Beatrice was handsomer
than she had ever been. 1t was not the
marvellous tea-gown alone. The sur
roundings of, probably, the most magni-
fcently beautiful drawing-room in town
did not produce the illusion, either,
though these things were potent.
Yes. you are in love with your hus.
band" Laura repeated softly, evenly.
''You, who married for money-just for
money. Think of it!''
Beatrice Haslitt flushed again.
'Oh, my dear, we both did that,
think" she replied, coolly. 'Only your
marriage was not quite so successful as
mine"
Would the woman never leave her
alone? Her visits, though they were
not frequent, threw Arthur Haslitt's
wife into a nervous agitation that would
last, carefully repressed as it was, for
hours. All, bah! What did it signify,
after all? Laura was disappointed
woman. Laura-poor Laura-had been
little envious always. Why should
she, Beatrice Haslitt, mind what the
other might say? Arthur Haslitt's wife
could afford to be generous She had
every thing-every thing.
A little cathedral clock in farther
room tolled the hour. and at the mo-
ment the hangings of the doors were
pushed aside. The color deepened
in her cheek. Daintily, with the
coquetry of happy woman, she adj
vanced toward her husband. His back
was turned toward the light. She did
not see his face. Close upon him she
paused and raised her own, all the glory
of its beauty, all the flush of her love
upon it.
'Arthurp
With little laugh (she thought it
was JEST she caught the lapels of his
coat in her ieweled hands and shook
him playfully. Then for the first time
Arthur Haslitt moved. She saw his face,
and she staggered back.
Arthur!'-sharply this time.
mo more comedies. please" ne said.
The woman gave one glance into his
past was about to face her. Without re-
moving her eyes from his, she sunk into
a chair. If he would only not be so
calm! She shivered.
1--WE will make this scene as brief as
possible" said Arthur Haslitt. ''It is
not necessary for me to remark that I
am perfectly aware that men are mar
ried every day for their money. 1t is
not thought crime. I happen to feel
differently. For years l sought wom-
an who could not be bought. You lied
SO successfully that I thought my SUI
preme ideal had been found in you. A
letter written before our marriage and
sent me to-day opened my eyes to the
truth. The anonymous hand who dealt
the blow I despise. The proof of my
own humiliation can not refuse to be-
ieve. The letter was apparently writ
ten to some foolish lad who loved you,
whom you perhaps loved in return, but
to whom you preferred Arthur Haslitt
because he had thousands and you
were tired of poverty. You doubtless
remember the letter. My lawyer will
inform you in the course of few days
of the monetary arrangements made in
your behalf. think you will find them
ample. shall myself have left within
half an hour"
Beatrice had not stirred a muscle.
NoAO SdO tAOIO SUtlA o. VOL no LOU kOu0S
perfectly motionless. The rumble of
carriages lover the stones of the street
came to her ear. The nearer stiffness
was unbroken. Suddenly the cathedral
chimes gave one deep. bell-like note.
The half hour!
Frantically she started to her feet and
touched the bell
The servant appeared.
''Mr. Haslitt-tell him-I wish to sec
him immediatelyg'
The mpassive face before her did not
move.
''Mr. Haslitt has been gone few min
ntes, madam"
Gone!
A narrow lane, wooden porch with
the paint chipped of, little chilly sit
ting room, where woman sat embroid-
ering by the failing light
This was the picture Mrs Estes car
ried away with her when she went back
to town.
She was q woman whose nerves ware
iron. Had they been less. they might
~