The Delta independent., 1895-11-13

''1t is utter folly" cried Oliver.
"What can do? l have no influence
over your wife; hardly know her;
and the aunt will never permi. her to
return"
The old lady is strict; she is proud,
too; and n young woman who has been
through divorce trial seldom comes
out with good name-not without
reproach. Consider it well, and write
Miss Pattcn what say. Truly
think my wife has q great fancy for
you"
Oliver rose and opened the door.
''Mr. de Restaud, will write you my
decision. really must ask you not to
prolong this interview. There is
limit to my forbearance."
De Restaud bowed, mockinglys "f
shall look for your answer soon. Per-
haps the doctor also could influence
Mrs. de Restaud. l esteem the doctor;
he is IN honest man, and has been
good to my son."
With polite bow the Frenchman
disappeared, aud Oliver went back to
his desk. What should he do? What
conld he do? De Rcstaud would carry
out his threat, there was no doubt of
that. And. after all, would it not be
better for his wife to return? II the
family in France would care for her
and the child they would be safe, and
most women would look forward to
such n bright future. II she refused
to come, trial, the publicity of q
courtroom, the newspapers, lifelong
something to be whispered about her
by some one who had heard. How ex-
plain that daring ride across country?
Viewed in the cold light OF reason IL
was a foolish thing; and he, Craig Oil
yer, must go on the witncss-stand and
be questioned. A lawyer is poor wit
ness. and he would be. A man of his
age doing such romantic silly action.
Then that story TO the conductor. Tho
other side would find him. OF course.
and perhaps passenger who had seen
Minny's farewell. The whole thing
wns unexplainable. Then his own past
the life OF wifeless man OF the
world-how would the jury OF hard
working men view that? They had
families and no temptations, and he
was rich md had enemies. 1t was So
cial and political death to him, and he
knew it as he sat there, yet he did not
write.
A week later DR.. John came in.
There was no need Of telling him. lie
had met De Rcstaud. and had come to
see what Oliver would do.
II have not written her" said Oliver,
awliwardly, except little note
thanking her for her letter. shall
not write what he wanted"
II have, though" said DR.. John;
''both to Mrs. Minny and her aunt. The
Frenchman cannot trouble them long,
and utter year or SO Mrs. Minny will
be n Partisan. All I know Of Paris
and life there Is from novels. God. l
think IL they arc true Mrs. Minny will
be quite at home in Franco. She likes
things different, you know"
II should be coward to advise her
in this matter" cried Oliver. ~ shall
have nothing 10 do with it."
However, after an hours talk with
his sensible old friend he changed his
mind and wrote severely formal let
ter to Mrs. dc Rcstaud, advising her to
return to her husband. Her answer
was n pitcous appeal. What did lie
mean? After ull that had happened,
did he think she should trust herself
with q man who everyone said was
crazy. DIR. John read and shook his
head. "She won't come" he said;
"but you keep on writing, for the
Frenchman means what he says.
see him often Us he comes to my Office.
She need not sny three words TO him,
and her amt can be with her always
until she Is safe ut his fathers"
This was duly written, but the an
swers both from Miss Pattcn and her
niece were unsatisfactory until . few
days before the time set by dc Rcstaud.
Oliver, maddencd by her disregard Of
his warning, for he learned De
Restaud had his lawyer engaged and
the case would be presented, tele-
graphed her: Are you coming or not2
beg you will come at once. We can
not face the consequences" lie felt
like n coward, but what else could he
do? Fight with mndmnn In court.
room? II was horrible. The answer
came promptly from Mrs. dc Restaud;
she would start Mt once.
Oliver took the telegram and went V,
find DE Rcstnud. The suit for divorce
must be stopped. He Ind done his
part, and there was no need for further
anxiety. He drove TO DR.. Johns Of
fee, but the doctor was mp In the
mountains attending case. and would
not be back for dny OF two. lie knew
where Dc Restaud lived-s furnished
house he had hired for n few months
and he drove there. After some delay,
Annette. more corpulcnt than ever,
opened the door in response 10 his
ring. She seemed worried and timor-
Gus in her manner, and looked at him
Ii. IL H. s.x A..
monsieur was at home. Then Oliver
remembered. and tried in imperfect
French. She frightened up.
mo, monsieur" she said. eagerly:
"he Is seldom here; and Louis IL al
ways away. like the farm better. /
am alone always, always. Monsieur is