The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-09-23

the train that evening he found the man
awaiting him. The two shook hands awk-
ence. 1t was only after they had gone quite
a distance that Hopson said: well, I'm
glad you got here. We've been having a
picnic up at the house. jules been having
the Mysteries. and MacD~onald-you never
knew Macdonald, did your"
Apologize listened politely. He had a
curious feeling that Julie and her Mysteries
were already very far away and unimpor-
tant to him, but he did not wish to be SO
brutal as TO show this.
when did Macdonald return and where
has he been"' he asked gravely.
He got here yesterday. He says he had
a shock or something in that accident-any-
and when he came to he didn't know who
he was nor anything about himself, and all
his papers and clothes had been burned. SO
there was nothing to show anybody who
he was. He could work and he was all
right most ways. Says he was that way till
tor got hold of him and did something to
his head that put him right. He has papers
from the doctor to show it's true His case
attracted lots of attention out there. OF
course. he wrote to Julie when he came 10
himself, but his letters came to our old adj
dress and she never got them; SO then he
started East TO see about 1t. He says he's
got into a good business and is going to do
We'll"
There was a long silence. Presently Hop
son began again awkwardly:
1 think Julie'd ought to go back to him."
Applegate's heart began to beat in curl
Gus. irregular throbs; he could feel the
pulsing of the arteries in his neck and there
was a singing in his ears.
"Of course. Julie agrees with your he
well. no, she don't. That's what she
wanted me to talk to you about. She can't
see ii any way but this: She says he died.
or. If he didn't. it was the same thing to
her. and she married you. She SAYS no.
body can have two husbands. and it's you
who are hers. 1 told her the law didn't look
at 1t that way; a and N sne says fn and she lei must
you. She says it's the only way to put her
right with the world. Macdonald says If
she brings suit on the ground of desertion,
he will fight. He says he can prove it
wasn't no willful desertion. But probably
he could be brought round If he saw she
wouldn't go back to him anyhow. MacDon-
aid wouldn't be spiteful. But he was pretty
fo.d of julie"
Apologize had stopped suddenly in the
middle of Hopson's speech. Now he went
forward rapidly, but he made no answer.
Hopson scrutinized his face a moment be-
fore he continued:
She says may be she was a little hasty in
what she said just before she came up here.
But you know jules way"
Yes" said Applegate, II know jules
way"
Hopson drew a breath of relief. He had
at least discharged himself of his interces-
sorry mission; -, -, =.
and go with Macdonald. The life would be
more the sort OF thing she likes. But her
heads set and she won't hear 10 anything
Henriette or I say You see. that's what
Julie holds by, what she thinks is respecta-
BILE. And it's about all she does hold by"
He hesitated. cropping blindly about in his
consciousness for words to express his feel
ing that this passionate, reckless nature
was only anchored to the better things Of
life by her fervent belief in the righteous
ness of the established order. ;
Julie thinks everything of what seems
TO her respectable he concluded. lamely.
lis it much further to your hoUse?" asked
Applegate. duly.
fright here" answered Hopson, DRAWN
his key from his pocket.
They entered a crude little parlor, whose
carpet was too gaudy and whose plush fur
niture was too obviously purchased at a
bargain, but its air was none the less heavy
with tragedy. A single gas jet fickered in
the center of the room. On one side a great.
broad-shouldered fellow sat doggedly, with
his elbows on his knees and his face buried
in his hands. There was resistance in every
line OF his figure On the sofa opposite was
julie in her crimson dress. AS she lifted her
face eagerly Apologize noticed traces of
tears upon it. Mrs. Hopson. who had been
moving about the room aimlessly, a pale
and ineffective figure between those two
vivid personalities. came to a standstill and
looked at Applegate breathlessly. For a
moraent no one spoke. Then Julie. bafied
by the eyes she could not read. sprang to
her feet and stretched out her hands with
a vehement gesture.
John Applegate. you'll put me right!
You will, / know you will, / can't go back
to him. How can L? 1t isn't respectable. Oh,
why should this come TO me?" Her hungry
eyes scrutinized his still inexpensive face.
Her voice had a despairing passion in it.
"Ycu won't refuse TO marry me IL / get
the divorce? Good Cod You can't be such
q dsvil! John! . John.'