Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-12-02
ThomE S MS Honeymoon

1T is very unfortunate. | really
don't care how it happened. Nos. ~
and % are both engaged. If you would
step into the drawing-room moment
I will inquire"
The manager of the Cirque Ports
hotel rubbed his hands together and
smiled overwhelmingly at the couple pc
| fore him: Mr.. Thompson, stout,
prosperous, anG middle-aged; Annie,
slender, blonde, and lovely, with
bride" written large all over her at
tire, from the picture hat, the fawn
travelling cloak lined with white satin,
and the watch bracelet in turquoises,
down to her patent leather shoes.
! will you go upstairs and wait, my
dear?" he said, turning to her.
20, no, this will do she said, m
differently; ard pushing open the
! door of the writing-room she walked
! in.
Away from her husbands eyes she
, drew her breath hard, her gray eyes
| had the look of child rudely awak-
ened, she clasped her hands together
! with a gesture of nervous dread. "A
man, the solitary occupant of the room,
turred his head at the soft rustic OF
her silk-Iined skirts, and as their eyes
met they both uttered cry.
Charlie! You here!"
! Anne! My God, is it you! I'm not
too late!-say I'm mott" he cried.
Il was married this morning. We
we are on our honeymoon; but what
has that to do with your said she,
almost tiercely. "You-you broke our
engagement. | would have been true
to you in spite of every one"
Then there has been foul play! |
was sure of it. Look, Anne, | had
such faith in you that, when there
was no answer to my letters, | knew
they must be tampering with you.
And then came the news OF your en-
gagement-my sister wrote me, she al
ways was jealous of you-and | got
leave somehow. 1t was the Colonel who
managed it for me, and I have trav-
eled day and night to be in time. L
! left the boat at Marseilles and | came
straight on here through Paris. l
/ haven't eaten or slept since; and l
meet you here, married
He was close to her now, his hand
some, sunburnt face flushed and
quivering, his strong hands clenched
! in a masculine Impotence of suffering.
Anne shrank away from him, white
and trembling. She could hear her
husbands voice speaking to a waiter
outside
Anne, haven't you word for me-?
Tell me why you have done this hid
eous thing. Was it his money!" he
! demanded.
His money? No, no; 1 never heard
from you. 1 was so lonely and mis-
erable,' she faltered. 90! Charlie.
Charlie! What shall we do?'
She held out her hands to him with
not take them He was beginning to
see that it had been better for them
both if they had never met again.
What could he do but harm to Mr..
Thompson's wife?
4 don't know-God help u.s." he
said brokenly. ITO meet you like
this! Is he-does your husband
The door swung open-Mr. Thomp-
son was entering.
80, yes, that will do quite as well!'
said Mr. Thompson, coming briskly in,
and speaking over his shoulder to a
waiter. Anne, my dear, it is all
right now. We have three rooms on
the first floor; they are taking UP our
things. Why, my dear, what is the
matter?''
L have made mistake" said Anne,
hardly knowing what she said. "This
this is Charlie Dacre.'
Mr. Thompson had heard a sketchy
outline of his wife's previous love af-
fair from Mrs. Carruthers boy and
girl affair Mere fancy''-"Quite I'M
worthy young man"-the phrases
seemed to ring in his brain now. A
dull flush rose slowly to his face; he
laid his hand on Anne's arm.
L have heard of Mr. Dacre," he said,
coldly. Il think you had better come
with me-
/ You have stolen her from mel You
know best yourself by what means!"
said the younger man, savagely.
The situation was insupportable. a
primitive emotion was out of place in
the commonplace room with its writ
ing tables Uttered up with Bradshaws,
directories, and hotel stationery.
L gained my wife by no means OF
which | need be ashamed said Mr..