The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1892-11-12

| Z
| Left when only Is by the death
of her father, half-pav naval officer,
| alone and friendiess, she had fled 10
| that refuge of the penniless, educated
/ gentle woman, q governcss agency.
| Then she obtained situation as govern
! ess in the family Of a Mrs. Redmond.
| She was engaged TO take charge of the
| only child 4 little girl of d. Mr.. Red
mond was the secretary 10 wealthy
| benevolent institution, and his vile
| bad a good income OF her own, bat I'M
| fortunately bad developed habit oil
secret drinking, which caused her hus-
! hand great annoyance and made the
home an unhappy one. Soon after May
| Summers had accepted the position
| offered to her, she found out the state
of affairs. She would have resigned at
| once, but she conceived a great attach
ment to the child, Il !ovabie, gentle little
creature, who, neglected by her
mother. and treated with but scant
affection by her father, chung to the new
governess with all child eagerness
for sympathy and love.
MAY Summers had not been long in
the house before she discovered from
the servants and from her mistress
maudiin condolences what was the o:iSl-
nal cause of the unhapplucss OF the
home. John Redmond was a selfish
and unpripcipled man ofpieasure. Ills
Young wife had discovered, soon after
her marriage, that her Income auC not
herself was the cause Of his WoCing.
One day the bitter truth was forced
upon her that the evenings her husband
spent from home, AID which he eX-
planned were occupied with business"
were really devoted 10 his own amuse-
ments, aud that he was regular patron
of those places which are the resort of
fast men and "fast" women.
The unhapDiness at home reached its
height when the unfortunate wife &C.
quired convincing proof that her hus-
band had made the acquaintance OF Il
woman named Belle Fullerton, Il motor
ious demi-mondaine, and that he had
made her several costly presents Of
iewelry. From that moment the un-
fortunate vile. loving her husband 100
well to leave HIM, too Neak-mInded TO
strive by force Of character 10 win him
back, took 10 drowning her sorrow IN
drink.
May Summers, then barely %, was
horrified and shocked when tins
new phase Of life was opened up 10 her.
She pi.ied the neglected wife and tried
all she could to save her, but her efforts
were in vain. But the woman chung TO
her, trusted her. loved her, and i'm
plored her not to leave her. So ior the
sake of the mother and the child the
young girl stayed on.
It was after she had been with the
Redmonds about TWO years that Robert
Howell became visitor at the house.
It was evident that he and Mr.. Red
mond had some business connection by
the way they conversed. Gradually
Mr.. Redmond began to be more at
home of an evening, and then Robert
Howell would come to dinner and
STAY.
1t was about this tine that Robert
Howell one day asked May Summers to
be his wife. They had seen a good
deal of each other, ana when Howell
came to stay with the hGdmonds they
were constantly in each others COM
pany. Howell was cood-lookiH@. agree
able feiiow-an educated man 0. the
worid-and always showed the greatest
consideration fer the poor goyerness'
feelings. On many au occasion size felt
grateful TO him for little delicate acts Of
forethought and kindness, and seeing
no one else, it was but natural that she
should come III time to be thankful for
the young mans society.
Her position at the time Was a pain
ful one. Mrs. Redmond had gone from
bad to worse, and her husband talked
sometimes OIL putting her into Il private
asylum for GlpEOmanl&Cs, In the event
OF his being able 10 DO this, lie sad the
little girl would be sent to q boarding
school. When, therefore, one after
noon, when they were alone III the long
gardan-tEe child having gone INTO the
house-ltobert Howell urged lbs suit
passionately begged the friendiess girl
10 be his wife, and painted their future
in glowing cOlors-was it any wonder,
with only the prospect Of a lifelong
drudgery before her, that she con-
scented?
From that day they were an engaged
couple. one thing only Robert stiru-
lated-that the engagement should be
kept secret from Mr.. Redmond for Euai-
ness reason. The girl was quite agree
able to this. She felt that anything else
would make her position awkward in
the house, and she wished 10 stay as
long as she could with her little pupil.
Two months after they bad been en-
gagged, Robert proposed a secret mar
riage. He urged that at any moment
he might have TO start at 81 couple OF
days notice for the colonies. The
scheme which WAS to make his fortune
was nearly ripc-only a little more
capital had 10 be found, and then lie
would have to 90 abroad at once. There
might not be time then for the tormaIi-
ties for the marriage. Why should he
not give notice to the registrar now
They would only have to go out for a
walk one morning, step into a little
room and be married. and come back
again, and nobody would be any wiser.
He would not claim her until they sailed
for the new world.
To this, after little demur, May sum
mers agreed. Robert urged bis wish
in SO plausible a manner, his reasons
We're SO goOd-at any rate they pre-
yailed-and one fine morning an old
gentleman at 81 desk mumbied few
words in the presence OF two witnesses,
hired at two ehil!ings ana siXpence q
head, and Robert Howell and May
Summers took each other for man and
wife. and he went on 10 the city, and
she back to Pembroke Square Just as if
nothing had happened.
They saw good deal of each other,
of course, for Robert now lived with the
Redmonds, but never by look or word
did they hetray their secret.
A week after she had become Robert
Iiowell's wife, May Summers accident
ally overheard a conversation between
her husband and employer. The house
hold had retired to rest. The men
were alone IL the library. Mag had
occasion TO GO down stairs to The din
ing-room 10 fetch the keys which her
mistress lad left there.
As she passed the door she heard
worlds which glued her to the spot.
She didn't wish to listen, but she WAS
g3eli-bound.
''stop that woman doing what she
threatens" exclaimed Redmond, cor it
will be the worse TOR both OF US"
'tShe will not keep her threat" re-
piled Robert Howell
"She will She i she-GeviI, She