The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1896-05-21

pains me to discuss the question Of your
past marriage with you. for IT always
seems an insult to even mention man
such as Vernon III your presence; but
have you ever spoken with him since
the case?"
"Oh! yes" said Lydia, frankly, and
rising to her feet as she spoke. Ms
"You've seen him-alone" cried Mey-
nell, his voice strained and harsh with
an anxiety he strove to hide. %#
Lydia wrinkled her delicate brows In
AN effort of memory. 3s@4
"Yes-dear-twice. Our talk was ab-
solutely on business matters, and awe
were naturally alone. Dick-why Dick,
what is the matter? What have I
done?" #f'
Her face blanched as white al the
soft fur about her throat, and her voice
rang out with piteous fear, as with
great groan Dick Meynell rose from his
chair and caught her in his arms.
''My sweetheart, my poor wronged
love-I fear that you have ruined both
our lives.' 80
Even as he spoke the door shut sharp
~ to behind them, and heavy, slow
tread advanced into the room.
Every pretty, upon my word-a sweet
picture, indeed" rasped voice from
the other side of the table. s
With a cry Lydia Vernon, still in the
arms of the man she loved, turned tc
find her husband smiling at her. ...'*S's
He was small man, neatly groomed
we'll dressed and not Unlocking at the
first glance, but whole world of malice
CLEANED in his close-set eyes as he
stared at the pair before him. :.
"Umph!" and he shrugged his Shout
ders and grinned a little wider. "You
are nice woman to set up as an In
jured wife, aren't you? Such pretty
tale as you told all the world about
me! Heavens! you painted me as black
as the incarnate, and all the while you'd
lover dangling at your skirts" Il
The red blood flashed across Lydia's
white face and a protest leaped to her
innocent lips. But her husband waved
his hand at her and laughed q little
more than ever. =
"Oh, you needn't be afraid, my dear!
I'm going to set you an example Of
magnanilnity. I'm not going to drag
your precious name through the .di.
vorce court. No such luck for you
my dear, d'you hear?" '~
As his laugh ended in the well-re-
membered snarl. Lydia sprang forward,
leaving Meynell, dumb and sick with
the foreboding of the real truth, be-.
hind her.
'What do you mean by talking to me
of the divorce court?" she cried. "You
are not my husband. You have no fur
Their right over me or my actions. lob
tanned decree nisi against you six
months ago." -:
(Which was not made absolute to-
day." retorted Vernon. '"Those two pri-
vate interviews on business upset your
little arrangements, my dear" 81.
"Then am still" she gasped. ~
my wife? Why, certainly-and,by
heavens, you shall remain so as long as
both of us are above ground!" cried
Mr.. Vernon, triumphantly. ..
Then he turned on Meynell, whose
wide eyes could see nothing but the
wreck Of his shattered dreams.
"And now, Mr.. Lover, I'll thank you
to leave my wife's apartment at once
and not show yourself here again. And
perhaps, as you 60, you'd better thank
your stars that I've let you off without q
horsewhipping." =.
For a moment Meynell only saw red.
and the cry: kill him! Kill him.
thundered in his ears. But light
touch, a low voice OVERRIDE the storm
of passion.
"Go, my love; farewell forever. I
shall not be with him for long"
He turned as he reached the door and
took one last look at her. There were
no tears in her eyes or CONFUSION OF
grief upon her face, only she was gray
with the grayness of approaching
death, and in the bright light she
looked very worn and SAD.
AS he closed the door brighter flame
flared and died on the hearth. Lydia
had thrown the slip Of paper whereon
was planned her honeymoon tour into
the heart Of the glowing coals.-Picl>-
Me-Up. i
oUlcKLUNcHES MAKE FAT MEN.
Curious Result of tho Habit Of Eating
Food in . Hurry. j