The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1895-08-02

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spite of what people say have wife
who loves me devotedly, and who would
no more accept money from you than
she would accept aims. 1 would as soon
strike knife in her tender little heart
as I would insult her with such an
offer. She knows nothing of my love
for Mildred, and trust never will. She
may not be an ideal wife for me, but
have married her, and with Gods help
l mean to make her as happy as can
under the unfortunate circumstances. 1"
'"Then you will let the woman you
love die rather than free yourself from
a wife you only endure" interposed the
lady petulantly. 81 tell you Mildred is
certainly going to die unless we can
save her in this way. Divorces are not
pleasant things, I know, but they are
obtained every day.
Madam. do you know that divorce
is obtainable only ON statutory grounds
in New York?' cried Philip in white
heat of anger. "And do you suppose that
l would drag my name or my wife's
name through mire of that kind even
were it possible to bribe witnesses to lie
for me? You are talking like a maniac,
Mrs. Montrose, and l must beg you to
draw this conversation to close. 1t is
very painful to me-"
Suzanne heard the lady rise and 60,
heard the hall door Close Then she
slipped from her hiding place and made
her exit to her own room. Philip went
down to the street soon afterward and
walked for all hour before returning
to his apartments. When he did return,
he found Suzanne had retired with a
binding headache. She was very pale
the next day, and there were dark hol.
lows under her eyes.
'We shall have to get out of town If
you continue to feel so badly" he said,
"but have rich patron who is COM
ing back from Europe the middle of
him. think he will take two or three
paintings for me-"
81 shall be all right in a few days, !"
Suzanne said. ''This first spring wealth
er taxes my strength. But Philip, de-
spite his preoccupied mind, noted her
continued pallor and lassitude as days
went by and felt anxious to get away
from the city. At the same time, SO
long as Mildred Montrose was in town,
he felt as if chains of burning gold
bound him there. Oh, the hunger and
thirst for the sight of her face again
And when he least expected it they met.
He had gone out with Suzanne for q
promenade. She looked so pale and i'll
that he urged her to walk in the open
air with him. On their return she had
complained of thirst, and they entered
pharmacy to obtain an iced lemonade.
Standing before the counter was Mildred
and her aunt. Mrs Montrose was the
first to speak, and Suzanne bit her Lip
till the blood came to restrain cry OF
terror and surprise at the sound of the
voice which had spoken such terrible
words only week previous.
mildred and have been shopping,
and she grew faint, and we came in here
for some refreshing drink" Mrs. Mont.
rose said as Philip lifted his hat, and
then he turned and looked in Mildred'i
eyes for one second before he presented
Suzanne. In that one second Suzanne
saw such TRANSPORTATION of her hus
bands face that she scarcely recognized
him. The brooding eyes grew luminous,
the stern mouth tender, the jaded, worr
expression gave place to one in which
love unspeakable. joy, hope and peace
We're all mingled.