The herald., 1898-12-04
"Do You Wish to Know There Sufficient Ev den. Convict
Your
Your Wife :"

have to play a part when her faculties
so much needed repose in which to
formulate a plan for action.
But you said they would all oe
glad" he repeated.
Don't talk to me now she said per-
emptorily Il am tired to-death, and
and this treatment, as contemplate as
the people are, is hard to bear. They
all hate me- They have done so ever
since l came here because we had
money If you intend to stand by me,
YOU must do it now. If you desert me,
I'll despise you."
While she spoke he felt as if he had
grown old. He was not void of super
stition God, he thought, was inflict-
ing punishment on him for a sin COM
mitted Yes, he could see it now. The
fortune of his wife had perhaps tempt
ed him q little, and he had deliberately
driven out that other love-the love
which God must have planted in his
heart He had cast off a young girl
who had given him her first love, now
God was innicting just punishment.
She had taken his arm and they were
passing the grave in the churchyard.
What is the matter, darling?" she
asked, breathing more freely, when
they had gotten out of sight of the
graveyard.
1T was all so sudden-so unexpect-
ed" he returned, with husky note
in his voice. 81 had no idea they would
act So"
Neither did l." she answered, and
she spoke the truth, but they did, you
see, and we must make the best of it.
l am sure that it all comes from that
meddlesome Tabtha BogsWorth She
started the report about the will. If
1 can trace it to her. l shall sue her
for deliberate slander. I tell you. she
could prove nothing-absolutely moth
ing against me-"
The heart of the bridegroom suffered
another fall The cold, calculating
quality in his wife's voice was respon-
sible fer it.
Il don't like to hear you talk that
way" he said. "It is an awful thing
to think that anyone could accuse you,
! and that a whole body of people should
seem so much in accord as to act-as
| they did is too bad"
Mrs. Murray pressed his arm and
faced him. "If you are going to turn
against me I shall be the most help
less little woman in the world" she
| diplomatiZed. "If you doubt me, sc
and talk to Mr.. Bates about it. He in
vestgated the whole thing. He was
employed by Mrs. Sprigs and Hal to
look into it, to see if-if they could
gain anything by suit, and he advised
them to drop it,"
How do you know that?" he asked
"Mr. Bates told me so himself"
Did you go to see him about it?"
"YeS, once"
"Why?"
She squrmed under his sharp gaze
and when she replied, it was with 6
wavering glance in her eyes.
''To be frank. I thought maybe
might need a lawyers advice; they
were talking about taking it to court
and I did right to consult him."
"Ah!"
They had reached the gate to thei
home. Lawyer Bates lived with hi;
parents in the white cottage across tn,
street. The minister could see hin
standing on the porch looking towar,
them.
Mr.. Murray opened the gate and al
lowed her to enter ahead of him.
Aren't you coming in?" she asked
"Not now" he returned. "a wall
will do me good-it's hot-lll be bacl
soon. Don't sit up for me-
His words seemed to stun her.. H
saw her looking past him at Bates, wh'
had lighted q cigar and seated himsel
on the porch.
"You want to talk to him." she salt
tentatively, "am I not right?"
yes"
Bates had left his chair and wa
walking back and forth on the porci