The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1896-01-16

need rootstep coming tnrougn the open
door, and started violently when hand
was laid on his arm and Lilian's voice
said
Whatever are you scowling at SO fe.
rociously2'
"Oh, nothing of any consequences
stupid letter." he said confusedly, try
ing to crumple 1t mp; but his wife put
her finger ON it.
"Are you SO anxious shouldn't see
itr' she said reproachfully.
"It isn't what you think at all, Lii, !"
he said, guessing her suspicious. IT'S
not letter from woman-at least-I
mean it's Of no importance. "
Let me see it, then, she persisted
gently, trying to draw it away.
"Oh, don't read it, dear. It's an
abominable, shameful letter Iwouldn't
have you pollute your eyes by reading
it" he said, taken off his guard. II en-
treat you not to read it IL"
why, you must think am some
thing more than woman torefrain aft
or that, said Mrs. Stanhope, smiling as
she drew it from his reluctant fingers.
She was very lovely woman, slender
and fair, with pathetic gray eyes and q
serenely sad mouth, and the smile gave
just the last touch her beauty wanted.
Don't think heed it for an instant |
/ know well enough who's done it, :"
said Charlie nobly, but she held up her
hand for silence, as she quickly read the
sheet. He could see her eyes travelling
from line to line; could see flush
quickly roe to her forehead, and as
swiftly change to whiteness.
All, Lii. my darling knew you
could not stand 1t; oughtn't to have
let you read it" he said, catching al
her as she swayed slightly, but she freed
herself and stood facing him, with part
ed lips.
Then you don't believe it?' she saio
slowly.
Believe it'll My God, what a ques-
tion from you to me- My queen, my
saint As If I'd believe all the world.
against you - he broke out, passionate
ly. "I've been a bad lot myself, but do
you think don't know good woman
when find one 2"
you'd believe me against all the
world" she echoed, "but if joined the
world against myself what would you
believe then?"
81 don't know what you mean. Don't
Jest ON such a subject and, trust me,
I'll make the woman who wrote those
lies smart for it. "
But they are not lies" said Lillian
stanhope slowly. ut is the simple
truth. T"
He looked at her in utter bewilder.
ment. What did she mean? What was
she talking of? Was she out of her mind
"You don't seem to understand" she
said quietly. EVERY word in that let
ter is true.
He did not answer, but still stood
gazing at her, She had crossed over to
the mantelpiece and stood with one ei-
bow resting on it, her face turned to-
ward him. The sleeve of her morning
wrapper had slipped down, and he could
see the curve Of her round, white arm.
Perhaps he woald still have believed her
if she had not suddenly smiled such a
smile as he had never dreamt Of ON her
face.
He did not know what he said-per-
haps he only made some inarticulate
cry-but he sank into chair and hid his
face in his hands from that look.
Neither Of them spoke. 1t seemed to
him that minutes were merging into
eternity. The ticking of the clock on the
mantelpiece was like the strokes Of q
hammer ON his brain. His heart seemed
shrinking under the touch of redhot
iron.
Lillian vile! Oh, it was incredible,
impossible, some hideous dream
He raised his head again to look at
her. Surely lifetime had passed since
that smile and yet the clock had only
marked three minutes.
81 am glad you know" said his wife.
81 was so tired of pretending to be
good. And she stretched her arms as
one laying down a heavy burden. 81
wonder you have never guessed it be.
fore. "
"Guessed it IL reverenced you toe
much to insult you by thought -
"You mean virtue was my role, and
it was for you to play sinner. Oh, you
were too egotistical. You wanted always
to play lead" 2"
"Oh, what did it matter how much ]
sinned? l was never good. But you
You have been saint in heaven to me. u
"No woman is ever a saint, and, re.
member, l have been your wife five
years was good once, but your love
has been liberal education for me-"
L. 1hola hearing seemed altered.