Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1895-05-23
CHAPTER XIII-Continued.

Il VIII, bulu DHence, anu '"hA'
from the room.
"That wife of yours is the very kindest
Of women, Rody; but hope she will not
overfatigue herself" remarked Bella,
politely, though making no effort to pre-
vent the fatigue She always had trick
of never doing for herself what another
was willing to do for her. And as she
sat in the armchair, her feet on the
fender, she looked the very picture OF
luxurious ease, except for the haggard,
restless look so sad to see.
II must leave YOU" Roderick said
"You know, Bella, am q working man
now, and get my own living"
Eyes, she told me. 1t must be very dis
agreeable"
"On the contrary, rather like it. Daily
bread, honestly earned, is far sweeter
than the old idleness. -.
'Ts it? Then l wish could earn NINE"
"You have no need, having your own
Independent fortune"
eyes; he can't get it, mercifully; NAM
ma tied it up too safe But neither can
unless she choose. She will do nothing
for me unless stay with my husband
like respectable woman as she says.
doubt if she will ever forgive my run
ming away-even to my own brother"
"Who, suppose, is not respectable"
said Roderick, bitterly. Nevertheless,
she must be told. Shall l telegraph to
her for you this morning?
! He spoke firmly, having already made
up his mind to this but he was not pre-
pared for the agony Of terror and misery
which came over the unfortunate wife.
"TSll her, and she'll tell my husband,
and he will come and fetch me. Not that
he cares for me--nOt a pin; but only for
the sake of appearances. Oh, Rody, don't
tell anybody. Keep me safe-hide me.
If you only knew what have suffered"
"My poor Bell, my Heather Bell" said
no, tendery, using the old pet name he
had invented for her in the days when
they played together among the broom"
At that she quite broke down.
ooh, | wish / were a girl again.
wish--I wish had never married. Some
body once said to me that a woman has
always future until she is married, then
she has none. Tied and bound-tied and
bound forever. And l am but seyen-and-
twenty"
That look, half appeal, half despair, 1t
went to Roderick's heart, for he knew 1t
was only too true. She was tied and
bound" with the chains she had herself
riveted. Even her own brother, however
he pitied her, was powerless to set her
free.
"Only even-and-twenty," she repeat
ed. "Such a long life before mellow
am to bear it? Till death do us part.
And 1 can't die. And he-he won't die;
these sort of people never do"
'Hush!' said Roderick, turning away
aghast. "You don't know what you are
saying"
81 do know it only too well. Many
time, when, after raving like madman,
he has sunk to a mere drunken dog, and
lain asleep on his bed like log of wood,
i have thought of Jael and Sisera, or
Judith and Holofernes, and others OF
those holy murderesses. If it would only
nlease God to take him, as our minister
Isaysl He would be much better in heav-
en-. He couldn't get any drink there"
This chastity mixture of the horrible
and ludicrous, added to what he knew Oh
the utter recklessness of Bellas nature
when reused, was almost too much for
Roderick to bear. He looked instructive
lv round for the one who was always at
hand helping him to bear everything;
Inf Silence was still absent upstairs.
Then, laying firm hand on the poor
violent woman, at once violent ana weak
If is so often thus-he placed her back
in the chair. 1.uo ,,
know YOU are; the most arrant nonsense
or worse. Don't be afraid; you have
brother still, who will do his best to take
care of YOU; but you must let me 90 II IN
tho ripht way. Nothing cowardly, nothing
rnderband. Your mother, at least must
he fold where you are. My wife says So
She and | were talking it over this morn
ing"
every kind"
"Tt was kind and wise, too" was the
grave reply. "Silence is the wisest woman
"And the most foolish! 1t looks like
r. Very well. Cast me off if you like.
Turn me out-of-doors. I'll take the child
and CO."
But it was only hysterical impulse
which ended in food of h: jterical tears.
Utterly bewildered and perplexed, Rod
erick went to the foot of the stairs and
called "Silence" in the sharpest tones he
had used since his marriage.
"Why do you leave me? You know l
can't do without you" he said Then add
ed. as she descended with the wailing
child in her arms, ''it is hard for you, too,
my wife. Our peaceful days are all
done"
"Not quite" she said, smiling-it was
wonderful the sweetness of her smile
whenever she had that baby in her arms
"I see," when she perceived Bella, and
heard her frantic sobbing. my friend"
the loving mon ami which she still used
you are of no use here.
Leave her to me-women understand
women. She will be all right Soon Take
your hat and go. Outside work is quite
hard enough for you. Good-by, my dear
:She lifted up her face to be kissed-the
pale, firm, peaceful face, such contrast
to the other one-opened the door, shut
It after him, and watched him safe away.
Then, with a great sigh of relief, she
went back to her unfortunate sister-in-
law.
CHAPTER XIV.
When Roderick came home at night,
rot without certain masculine apprehen-
Aivnnnss of domestic Worry nlninlv Writfan