Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1890-01-07
because 1 have seen you"


| perfectly. She was dressed in faultless taste
Her face had magnetism and loneliness She
| was older, more stylish, more womanly and
more self-posscssed than when Edward had
last seen her. He arose to greet her with his
old time cordiality. She gave him a charm
| ing smile Of welcome, but suddenly she saw
her husband. The smile partly faded away;
| she trembled little, but in an instant her
social training had asserted It's power, and
| she was herself again. Mr.. Doncaster had
arisen with the unmlstakable purpose of find
ing an excuse which would get him out of the
room. Walton saw it, and arose fully to the
situation. He quietly but deliberately closed
| the door.
Now, sit right down, both of you" he
said, as if he were the host and they the Wis
| itors, land let US have good old time chat f"
He looked at each, saw Margaret gazing
| sideways at the window, saw Henry study
ing the carpet. He took a chair near the
| door and between the husband and wife, but
far enough back TO get a view OF them
ats positive pleasure to see you again.
he said, with cordially. Ever since / was
best man at the wedding have felt as If I
were member of the family, and when l
look around your beautiful home and think
of NY hotel life, feel like putting my house
! d
| 81 thought you were out west" said Mrs.
Doncaster.
80 l was. You remember that after 1
left college, and few months after your
marriage, father died Ny share Of the
property was some $4,000. I took it and
went to western city to fill long felt want
/ flatter myself that filed it. poured all
the $25, 900 into it, and then used the rest OF
| for ho no
sheriff oficiated, and various creditors acted
as mourners."
| Nv hen did you come casts"
about a month ago. l fully intended to
cali, but you know l had been away five
years, and had outgrown my society habits
| Then it was necessary that l should bend all
my energies to work, for while some of those
creditors cheated me most abominabiy, l
can't rest contented until all owe is paid
"What are you doingf' asked Doncaster.
II am reporter on The Comet. And that
Is why called this evening"
This aroused Doncaster, who until now had
been politely indifferent. He quit studying
the carpet, glanced rapidly at Walston and
seemed to suspect the cause of the visit
Margaret took a quick view at her cousin,
but he was as matter of fact looking as if he
had merely made remark on the state of
the weather.
Explain yourself said Doncaster, not
without little uneasiness.
Certainly. A report reached our Office
tonight that you two were going to figure in
divorce sensation. The idea was preposter-
Gus, but to save you from being bothered by
q stranger came myself to get your denials.
The runor is false, of courses"
~ have nothing to say" said Doncaster,
after pause.
Walston turned to the wife.
Margaret, tell me, is this truel'
II prefer to say nothing"
''Then it is true"
A pause and a sigh.
"Who would have thought of itl What q
world this is, and what changed creatures we
arei To think that you two-the best and
most devoted lovers in the world-should
take such STEP The horror of it reconciles
me to my bachelorhood, but it makes me
shudder in spite of myself"
II think" said Doncaster, with dignity,
shat it would be in better taste not to dis
cuss the matter here"
Henry, l don't agree with you. We grew
up together. I've known you both, and been
friend to each of you since childhood. I
expect to be the same now. Such-I may say
almost everytning-depends upon how this
case is present ted to the public. In journalism
first impression is worth dozen supplement
tary reports. l want you both to talk this
matter over with me. Margaret, you have
retained Smootes, haven't your
She had been gazing with unbroken steadi-
ness at the window, but this sudden question
was little too much for her cemposure. She
turned to Walston, began to speak, closed
her lips again, blushed enthusiastically. and
finally stammered, Not yet, but may"
"a capital selection. He is SO unscru-
pulous, yet so ingenious. In one sentence he
will prove you paragon Of sweetness and
light; in the next he will picture you as an
abused, degraded wife"
She moves again, but the bushes did not
increase. A fiTmness of the lips sho wed that
she was conquering her feelings. The color
left her cheeks and she looked at Walston
full face, and raised her eyebrows as if in
doubtful surprise. Henry resumed his study
in carpets.
1T viii be very cheerful scene," pursued
Walston. ''You will be the heroine II is
always so in divorce case. Sympathy goes
with the wife. Sac can sit dumbly, and the |
spectators will swear that she is an angel |
The jurymen feed on her smiles and her
signs, softening with pity and glowing with
admiration. Yes, Margaret, the city viii |
talk about you; your portrait Will adorn |
sensational papers, and you VIII be able to |
Join in the great work CT elevating the stage. |
But Henry! All Henry, old fellow, you are |
in for it sure enough In q divorce case Q |
husband is always guilty until proven limo |
cent. The guilt chngs no matter how you |
act. If you smile, the people will call you q |
hardened villain If you frown, they viii /
pronounce you dangerous brute. If you /
preserve an air OF gentlemanly indifference, |
they will consider you cold souled scoun-
drel Every change Of countenance will be |
a witness against you. Every shift Of atti- |
tude will be an added dannation to your
cause. The husband in divorce suit Is the
same old story Of the western horse tnief-he
acts guilty, even II ne is innocent, and be
ought 10 be hung anyhow. Old fellow, pity
you; do, indeedi"
Thank you" said Doncsster, cooIly. But
must protest against discussing this affair
here
And ! must insist"
II it was Walston's intention TO make his
friends miseraple, Ee could not have better
succeeded. Henry seemed to stand 1t stolidly
enough, but Margaret was evidently Tn
easy. Botd devoutly wished that WATSON
had remained out west But be was obdu-
rate.
Please remember be went On. that
more interests than yours are at stake. Yo1
bosh come Of god riliss-femilies that /
have lived honorap!T ard proudly Tor years
without tie faint Of SCANDAL This tbing 70
them vii De blow OF unspeakab.s anguish,
and i Is cur duty 70 MAKE thai blow as soft
as we can. Much viii depend. as ! said, upon
the frs: statement Of the Gaze and upon the