Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1894-03-17


as could he desired
One bright spring day. by one of
those incidents" which are wholly
design, he met Mrs. Van Glider i'm Col
den Gate park, summing herself against
background of brilliant colorinw. the
faircst thing in the great garden about
her. She glanced up from her book,
in surprise. but with Il pleased smile,
and Melton seated himself beside her.
seemed never to have eXhalcd such
fragrance. They chatted with Il free
dom of feeling they had never known
in the Ietherington parlors or over
the shining glass and silver of the
lcthcrington dining room, where
walls had ears to every square inch of
space. and eyes were omnfprcscnt.
lie picked up Ben-lIur, which had
slipped unnoticcd to the grass.
You find great enjoyment in boolsa
do you not?" he said, turning the
leaves to Tirzah's love song, and read
ing the lines with = charm of inter-
probation that had held many II pretty
listener spellbound. 1t was his gol
den opportunity and he meant to i'm
prove it.
YES" she said, answering his ques-
tion Us he closed the volume. when
I am alone | read almost incessantly.
Alone" he repeated, tone Of pro-
tecting tenderness creeping into his
voice. Mrs. Van Gildcr-Eleanor-
If only were blessed with the right
to be always near You. would not
neglect you as Your husband"
She turned toward him with a ges-
ture that stopped the words upon his
lips.
II know what you would say" abe
interrupted. her voice trembling, "but
have too much respect for my hus-
band to listen. IL he finds his bust
ness more engrossing than you find
yours, he at least is not guilty of pre-
suming upon the friendship of r
woman. Ienjoy your conversational
powers. Mr.. Melton, but your love-
making is beneath my contempt"
She had risen and turned toward
tho nearest of the park entrances, but
her companion caught her wrist and
held it while he poured fourth a tor
rent Of words expressive of his infat-
uation. His hearer was far more an
noyed with herself than with the man
whom she had deemed worthy of more
honor. The appearance of party of
strollers interrupted them and to her
great relief she succeeded in boarding
cable car home without her admir-
er's assistance.
That evening Mrs. Van Glider sur
prised her husband by suggesting that
they go to housekeeping.
A few weeks later Mr.. Van Glider
was called out of town on business.
His wife, who was alone in the house,
was about to retire to her boudoi +,
when she was startled by n slight
noise within.
The gas burned dimly in the pretty
perfumed apartment, but not too
family to enable her to see the figure
of n man sitting ut his ease in the
rocker near her dainty dressing table.
He rose and came toward her with Il
triumphant and diabolical smile upon
his face. The figure of the intruder
was that of Howard Melton.
"Sit down, my dear" he said. coolly
II have a great deal to say to you. II
you had not treated me with such dra
matte scorn n month ago, you nigh,
have spared yourself the inconveni.
ence of this unexpected call. 1t was
an easy matter getting here-a boil
or two are mere bagatelles when a
man is in love. / know your devoted
husband is out of town; I've taken care
! to keep myself informed about the
Van Gilders. you see. You are too
sensible o woman to make any disturb
ance, for. OF course, To betray my pres
ence in your bed chamber at this hou
is to blast your reputation forever
. You had better come over here and 81
on my lap, my dear Eleanor, as Nv,
taken the precaution to lock the door.
Mrs. Van Glider, who had sunk Inc
chanically to the cushions Of IL chair
rose suddenly. and before her visitor
could intercept her. had slipped hel
hand beneath the pillow of the bet
and covered him with a neat little re
NOlNcT. hcT RithCC was hS Cooi dh'
daring as his own.
II am an excellent shot" she said
calmly, land if you make the leas
move toward me ] will prove what
say. If | kill you the world will llno,
was done in sclf-defcnse. l woul
advise You, Mr.. Melton, to leave IN
house"
They stood for n full minute i
which no word was spoken. Then h
turned the key in the lock, made hi
way along the hallway, down tn
stairs and through the front door
Mrs. Van Glider followed him wit
steady aim. When he had turned tn
corner of the street she locked tn
door, placed the pistol under the pi
low. and tainted quietly away upo
the bed. She was brought back t
consciousness by her husband. who's
arms encirclcd her with tenderness
of which she had not thought hil
capable. and whose kisses were rainc
with Il lovers warmth upon her fac