The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1893-09-02
MY WIFE'S son.


seemed made for each other l know |
that this is a common declaration among |
lovers, but some others beside myself
cooler, dispassionate onlookers-who
said the same thing. Our tastes were
singularly congenial. We loved books,
about which we only differed enough to
save our discussions from monotony.
We both-while for various reasons I'M
able to indulge greatly in it-were fond
of travel.
Constance Werner seemed literally
incapable of small or petty actions
she seemed to live far above the gossip,
the malice, the little meaness of our
common human nature.
1t was thiswhich, after the first des-
perate failing in love- bound me to
her by the added ties Of respect and
honor. And yet, after saying this, a
day came of which even now | cannot
bear to think. We had a terrible mis-
understanding; everything seemed to
conspire to help it on. A large part
of the everything" was Constance's
parents, who. from the first, had not
favored our courtship. They sent her
away Immediately TO visit gay young
aunt of hers in San Francisco, who had
always been the young girls admiration.
The next thing l heard-a year or so
tater-was Constanee's marriage with
prominent business and society man
of San Francisco, Henry L. Starr.
never knew, until saw the notice
Of that marriage, how much hope l had
cherished-now that the dream of my
life was over.
Instead of travelling as the wealthy
do in sorrow, was obliged to worA
hard. 1t proved a tolerable panacea
for heartache, and as years went on
accumulated a small fortune. Some
years later l heard of Harry Starr;
death. Two years from that time
met Constance at our old home, which
1 had long since left. She and her only
child were visiting her parents, and
my venerable great aunt had NJ
nearer relatives.
We met, and in time the old trouble
was explained and found to be after all
a trihe exaggerated by others. | toll
her how l always loved her. Neve
mind what she told me. She wa
loyal TO her husband but l was quit,
satisfied with her feelings towards me
And we were actually to be married
after ALI
lean see her now-this woman VIII
was so much to meas she came t
meet me across the room.
Constance" l said, as l drew he
towards me, 'can you trust me wit
so much?"
Her steadfast eyes net mine with
look which thrills me even yet to re
member. "Ishan never doubt you again
Christian" she said II shall love an
trust you till death parts US"
We left soon after for lenghthy wed
ding trip, which to me ar least was
series of pleasant days and fresh an
unexpected discoveries into the wealt
of my wife's nature.
After our return my wife and I SET
tied down in a pretty home in the larg
town where 1 was in business. Cor
stances taste was such that sh
made those bare rooms a dream o
beauty and reality of cozy comfort
But in the realization of this Their
was one drawback. If 1 have salt
nothing of Constance's son beyond tn
the merest mention of his existence,
is not because he was unimportant t
me. He was tall fine looking boy o
about IS There seemed a barrier, in
visible, yet real always between us.
tried to forget Donald when we wer
on our triple stayed with his grand
parents-but as soon as we were sci
tied he was sent for. l tried to be kin
and just to the boy. l thought was
but could not like him and he wa
quick to feel it.
If Constance suspected the state Q
feeling between US she had neve
limited at it. She was very fond @
Donald-surely l was not jealous Q
that young fellow, her own son! Blu
confess l did not enjoy seeing he
caress him. 1t was after his gradus
tion that 1 proposed to Constance t
send him to college at my own expense
The result OF the conference betwee