Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1897-06-03

George. ana. IN short. / wrote . very
silly letter. full Of nonsense did not
half mean. because just about then
had begun TO feel that might learn to
love George In time"
Jacks face was ashen; his mouth
was firmly set and his hands clenched.
Madame Devoune came into my
room as was writing, and, afraid lest
the letter should be seen, thrust II
into my plotting book. Then Molly
called up that George was waiting for
me downstairs: I ran down. and then
he gave me that lovely pearl necklace.
and he seemed to lose his shy manner
and told me how he loved me, and he
was so nice and-somehow what he
said gave me a new, odd sort Of feel
ing toward him, and ! knew for the
first time since our engagement that.
well, that / cared for him.
Jack walked to the fireplace and
knocked on his cigarette ash. and Vio-
let went on:
II forgot the letter till late, and then
l thought what an idiot had nearly
made of myself, and knew that it was
only nervous sort of sentimentality
that had prompted me to write, and I
grew cold with fright lest someone
shauld read 1t. hunted through the
plotting book to burn it. and could not
find it, 90 / thrust the book into a
drawer and locked it-everything was
in such a hurry at the last, you know
Well, then we married and went to
Paris and had lovely time. He was
wonderfully good to me, and learned
to love him so dearly that l could not
imagine having ever thought l cared
for anyone else"
Jack gave a curious sort of cough,
half like a choke, and his hand went
up to his collar, and he drew it aside
from his neck. =.
And then we came home here, and
George had been so thoughtful and
kind in all his arrangements for me
that / was more than ever touched by
his goodness, and grew SO fond of
him that l was never happy when he
was away from me. But now every
thing is changed. He does not seem
to care for me any more" and sob
choked her utterance. HE never goes
anywhere with me. He hardly ever
speaks, and when ! limited that had
an awful lot Of bills. and l didn't
know how l should pay them. he said,
in a stern voice, that l had ample al
lowance, and must make it do"
But, surely, VII" Jack said, in a
husky voice, "a thousand year is more
than enough for you TO dress upon"
"Of course it is"
Then why that pile of bills?"
Nov we come to the point. That
old wretch Madame Devonne had
found my letter, and one morning when
George was out she called and asked to
see me. You know / never liked her.
but was so happy that felt in char
ity with everybody. She began by be-
ing very pleasant, admiring everything,
and saying how well l looked and all
that sort of fiatJery, and then she pro-
duced the letter from her pocket. oh,
I'm so glad you have brought it to
met l exclaimed, and held out my
hand for it; but why did you take it?'
l asked.
"I am very poor, Violet she an
swered, and | am getting old work
no more-I will repose myself
II said something civil and asked
again for my letter Then she showed
her hand and told me that unless |
paid her we'll she would at once send
that letter to my husband"
Jack started to his feet with flu
rious exclamation.
In vain / pleaded, then l grew an
cry, but it was all of no use. l knew
to read such letter would break
Georges heart-he would never believe
in me again for it would put me in
such wicked-though, thank God.
his love forever At last l gave in and
promised her anything IL she would
only give me back the letter. This she
refused to do, but said as long as l
paid her we'll she would not send 1t TO
George. / have given her hundreds,
that had no more to give"
Gould you not have told George the
whole TRUTH"
IL often longed to tell him, but 1t is
all so difficult to explain, and II he
ever saw the letter, he would find me
judged by my own handwriting"
Poor little vi! I'm so glad you told
me. Now l must be OFF"
Before luncheon? Oh, Jack, and /
thought you would try and help me-"
II am going straight to Madame De-
vonne, and If / kill her, she will give
up that letter."
'Oh, Jack! Can you really do this?
Oh, how thankful / shall be-"
Give me the woman's address"
Violet eagerly wrote 1t down with
trembling fingers, and then grasped
his hand in hers. You have always
been so good to me, Jack, and l wish
George liked you-somehow l fancy
he doesn't; he will when he knows you
better, but now"
Now think he's fool to be rough
on the sweetest wife man ever had!
l say, vi, did you ever get letter from
me little before your-your mar
riage? You never answered it."
mo, I'm quite certain l didn't. Was
it anything of Importance"
"Oh, no, it didn't matter. Well, /
must be of"
What's that? it sounded like