The Republican journal., 1892-03-03

each other" Perhaps l had said that but
| certainly did not remember it.
"Oh put down your paper, and tell me
all about it. Is she to blame? Are you
not awfully sorry, Jack?''
protested deep sorrow, but refused to
give up the paper, as getting news out of
an English paper l found much like get
ting blood from stone-a long and tedi-
Gus process and usually improbable.
When l left my wife to attend to some
business affairs, she was still thoughtful.
l told her not to worry over williamson S
matrimonial difficulties as he no doubt
would come out all right. However, she
said she really could not help thinking of
him. being so happily married herself and
| always having admired him so much.
When returned to dinner it was to find
Grace in tears and hysterical.
sob Jack he has been here she ex-
claimed ''and think it has driven him
| crazy
''He has been hereo' | said
"Yes, Jack, poor Mr.. Williamson
| dropped into a chair in horrible sus-
pense. Had Williamson materialized at
ter all these years? Great Jove, it has
come. What in the deuce was the name
OF the fellow who created an ina Ginary
monster that came to life? Well. my SYM
pathies were with him.
Did he say he'd call again? How did
he happen to call anyway?''
| must get to the bottom of this matter
well. you Won be cross. Jack?'
NO. indeed.
1t then TRANSFERRED amid many tears
and much needless detail that Grace had
amused herself looking Williamson up.
Strangest of all strange fatalities. she had
found in London directory. where no one
before found that for which they searched,
a Williamson who correspondent in every
particular to my friend. He even had a
club. and such one as Grace fancied my
friend would inhabit. To it. as delight
full surprise to me, she sent a note invit-
ING him to dine with us that night as we
left next day for Paris.
HE seemed very strange. Jack, almost
insane.
Il could not talk to him, and | sup
posed it was his trouble made him so. |
felt that, being so happy myself, must
do something for your old friend. l said,
1 trust you'll pardon me, but do you
think she is entirely to blame? Dom you
think it might be explained?' And Jack.
he got up and ragged around the room and
swore at me, and raved and said horrible
things.''
The deuce he did.
''1es, he told me all about it. He has
got the divorce all right, dearie, but it
seems she has the custody of the children
You never said that they had any. And
he feels terribly. OH
She shuddered at the thought of his
grief. 1t had indeed been terrible |
judged. We left that night for Paris. and
yet Grace did not forget williamson |
dared not suggest strong drink. Even
now that we are at home again she asks
occasionally if l have heard. / wonder
to myself if my creation really material
lied, OF was it a mere coincidence But
it is all over, for | have committed the
deed.
BosToN, Oct. 3, 1891
My Dear Gr0ce-I trust that YOU are enjoy
ing yourself thoroughly, and that LenoX is
as lovely as ever l fulfilled your commits
sions and had them expressed. Business
still detains me here. BY the by. poor Will
Hanson is dead. 1t appears that his wife
and family died with some sort of fever
He is better off. Died suddenly of heart
disease. With much love, your atfectonate
husband. j. VAN B.