The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-08-16


suffered, do you not think he has also?
He did not abandon me. He saw what
was my plain duty and had the courage
TO show il TO me. /, in my selfishness,
would have left my father for him, but
he knew that il was my duty TO remain
at home, and therefore he went. That
is the simple truth / was almost
speechless, so great was my surprise at
her defense Of him, but made one more
effort.
But has he not forgotten you, is
he not about to marry again?'
Stop, John. You do not know
what you are saying. Do you think
that | believe for a moment what a
newspaper says when / know my hus-
band as | do? / should have little faith
indeed. John, must see him before he
goes away. If you viii not accompany
me, l must go alone.
81 was amazed, but what could do?
She was determined, and L could not
allow her to go alone So she easily
induced me to promise 60 go with her.
Preparations were rapidly arranged for
the journey TO New York, but all Of
our plans at the last minute were upset
by the sudden illness of the little girl.
Believing, as l do, in fate, looked up
on this as sign that we should aban-
don the idea OF seeking out the father.
1 could not, however, make my sister
see il so, and though the steamer bad
sailed long before Virgie was well
enough TO travel she insisted on join
ing her husband, even though it entail
ed the necessity Of crossing the ocean.
She anticipated happy reunion with
her husband and a future life of hap
piness and love. AS / saw her looking
brighter and brighter, day by day, even
i'll the anticipation, much as l detested
the man, could not find it in my heart
to thwart her. She was so sure Of the
Joyous welcome with which she would
be received that she had the child's
portrait painted and placed in locket.
In fact, she had two made, one for her.
self and one which she intended to send
to her husband on her arrival III Paris.
This last was the counterpart of the
other, save that she had his name or
rather his initials engraved On the gold
case.
"To shorten my narrative as much
as possible, that l may surely finish it
before l am discovered here in my re-
treat, will at once come TO our arrival
III Paris. 1t was with little difficulty
that learned of Marvel's whereabouts,
for his official duties made him a man
of some note. My sister wrote most
affectionate letter, telling him all that
had passed since he had left her and of
the birth of the child. With it she in
closed the locket and portrait. This was
forwarded, and she waited impatiently
for him to hasten to her side.
But the days passed and no word
came. She made every excuse for him,
urging that his new duties must detain
him and making other similar pleas in
his behalf. Meanwhile ! instinctively
knew that he was but a heartless viii
lain, and l never expected him to be-
have toward his wife as man should.
AT length even Matilda commenced to
doubt, until the thought entered her
brain that perhaps her letter bad never
reached him. Then she determined TO
seek him in person. endeavored to dis
suade her from tins project, but it was
impossible TO detain her. and so | went
with her to his hotel. We asked to see
him and were shown into private par
Tor connected with his suit. There we
were allowed to wait but few mo-
ments and then were joined by tall,
handsome woman, who inquired why
we had called. We said we wished to
see Marvel i'll person, to which she re-
piled:
" He is engaged at present, but am
his wife.
'Wbatp exclaimed my sister. His
wife? Woman, you are mad l am his
wife.
1.-The other did not so much as start,
but coolly replied:
"'Oh, see! You must be that little
rebel that he met down in Richmond. l
have heard all about that affair. He
told it to me before we were married.
(Here Mr. Barnes uttered particularly
loud grunt of satisfaction SO you
have come to claim him, now that he is
somebody of consequence. Quite ro-
mantle, declare, but it won't do, you
know. He never will acknowledge you.
"'You forget yourself, madam, said
!. BY your own words you have admit
ted my sisters claim as this man s wife
and therefore must see that you are not
his wife at all.
"'Oh, indeed! How pleasant of you
to come and tell mel But / tell you it
will not do. He will not be bound by
such marriage as your sister tricked
him into when he was prisoner.
II thought it best to take my sister
away, but she would not stir.
4 will not go, said she, until l
have seen himP
"'Oh! Very well, if you insist
Though it is useless, assure you. The
woman turned and left the ROOM A mo-
ment later Marvel entered.
Well, madam, he began, address
ing my sister, what can do for your
Walter
Excuse me, but you may spare
l have heard from my wife the