The morning call., 1893-03-25

toward the distant dawn we walked and
talked of past years and years to be. Ever
and anon our thoughts reverted to the
woman watching by tie dying man In the
house whence we had just come.
My wife had many question for me-
not the questions of idle curiosity. but of
interest and necessity. She wanted to
know what view to take when she should
come face TO face with her old friend, what
position to lake In order TO avoid giving
pain.
do you think she loves him now2" she
asked.
was silent for moment.
GOD knows" | said. "I do not think
she hates him. Her eyes are too beautiful
for hate. II they blaze it is but with ex-
citement--feyer. She has been trying to
save his life."
"She would do that even If she hated him,
wouldn't she?" said my wife. softly.
"Ah. yesw
And again we spoke of other things and
people. The air was still; there was no
piercing wind abroad. and we were warmly
wrapped. We walked about the square to
and fro, up and down, through and across,
for perhaps an hour.
Suddenly my wife spoke:
Il think that we should 60 there now.
Something seems to call me-"
And we went.
The man was dead. The other doctor,
who had let US in, was writing by the table.
DR.. Marion was leaning back in an arm
chair, pale and fearless. Ny vile went up
and kissed her in silence.
"He-he came back to die-you see" said
the woman, with little tremor in her voice,
but no great burst of anguish.
George Humphrey" whispered my wife
YES. You knew that l was married
secretly married 10 him?"
II guessed it," said my wife.
And then-she eame-and l thought that
| should ii lP. DFaVpd n hut
not"
And when you recovered you went away
West," said my wife gently.
The other woman nodded. Thine passed.
cot over the nrst anguish. / knew l must
occupy myself with something | studied
medicine. My uncle died. had never LET
him know of the marriage-the shame was
too great, felt. l knew nothing of what
had become of-ot George Humphrey"
Her voice was hardly more than whisper,
could not tell whether that other woman's
claim Has-rght, or not. l could not tell If
were married or sin gle-if my name were
Arnold or-Humphrey. l was sick of the
misery Of IL all, and | determined to be
neither wife nor betrayed woman in name
to be only myself, Hester Marion-DOctor
d. Marion. My life was all new, all new
and without shame, all clear and bright. Other
interests, other hopes entered into it. An
other man loved me-loves me-" She paused.
Happiness seemed at hand. Then dark
shadow came tormenting me- Was l free
was l bound? How to know without
greater shame than that Of the past? How
to know?" She paused again. Il caught
myself wishing he was dead-God forgive
me And then the torment grew stronger
To-night-last night | was suffering so. =
And now" she broke off and began to
tremble.
Pour child" said my wife. 'Yeu are
overwrought. Time rights all wrongs. II
is dark now, but dawn is coming. Come
home with me'
The other shook her head. Tears came
tears Of relief.
II Will stay here" she murmured
Dawn is coming. God make US all humble
and forgive u.s."
Her eyes wandered involuntarlly back 10
the Still form on the sofa
GOO give him peace" she said. and went
softly.-CeciI Charles.