The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1890-07-31
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-a very
sweet peal of laughter, indeed.
Il believe"-her fine eyebrows went
up little-"I really bolieve-yes-tha
you are in love with your husband! You,
Beatrice Howland!'
The younger woman flushed, then
smiled, perhaps little bitterly.
''Is it so very extraordinary if I amp
"Very"
Mrs. Estes got up with rustic of soft
silk. She was 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
plain lively, 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-
ficently 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!''
Bea trice Haslitt flushed again.
''Oh, my dear, We both did that, 1
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 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 ad
vanced toward her husband. His bach
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.
ARTHUR
With little laugh (she thought il
was JEST she caught the lapels of hi
coat in her ieweled hands and SHOOT
him plavfully. Then for the first tim,
Arthur Haslitt moved. She saw his face
and she staggered back.
"Arthur!"-sharply this time.
mo more comedies please" he said
The woman gave one glance into hi
eyes and understood. 1t had come: he
past was about to face her. Without re
moving her eyes from his, she sunk int,
chair. If he would only not be 8,
calm! She shivered.
1--WE will mako this scene as brief a.
possible" said Arthur Haslitt. cit i.
not necessary for me to remark that
am perfectly aware that men are mar
ried every day for their money. 1t Il
not thought u crime. happen to fee
differently. For years sought WON
an who could not be bought You liet
so successfully that thought my su
preme ideal had been found in you. 1
letter written before our marriage ant
sent me to-day opened my eyes to tn
truth. The anonymous hand who deal
the blow l despise. The proof OF m,
own humiliation can not refuse to be
,lieve. The letter was apparently writ
ten to some foolish lad who loved you
whom you perhaps loved in return, bu
to whom you preferred Arthur Haslit
because he had thousands and yo
were tired of poverty. You doubles
remember the letter. My lawyer will
inform you in the course of a few day
of the monetary arrangements made il
your behalf. l think you will find Their
ample. shall myself have left with
half an hour"
Beatrice had not stirred muscle.
She sat there still after he had gone
carriages over the stones of the stree
came to her ear. The nearer stillnes
was unbroken. Suddenly the cathedra
chimes gave one deep, bell-like note
The half hour!
Frantically she started to her feet an
touched the bell.
The servant appeared.
''Mr. Haslitt-tell him-I wish to Sc
him immediatelyr'
Tho impassive face before her did no
move.
''Mr. Haslitt has been gone a few min
utes, madam"
Conc. r.
A narrow lane, a wooden porch wit
the paint Clipped off, little chilly sit
ting room, where woman sat embroid
ering by the failing light ...-r
This was the picture Mrs. Estes car
ried away with her when she went BAG
to town. "
She was woman whose nerves wer
iron. Had they been less, they nigh
have quivered a little now. As |
was. Laura Estes thought only: "Wha
o foolp' g..E .r.r
What a fool had Beatrice Haslitt bee
to give up every thing to which sh
was entitled as Arthur Haslitt's wife
OF course, it had been done to show he
husband that money was as naught I
her, after all. But it was Laura Este.
opinion that she might as we'll hav
spared herself such self-sacriice.