The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-08-22
THE SECOND WIFE.

- Married again ~ echoed Miss Clarissa
tipping over her basket of Berlin woods in
her CONSERVATION, greatly to the delight
of the kitten.
cat his age!'' cried Miss Phemy. "TWo
and fifty, if he's a day"
Paul Thorpe's sisters were struck dumb
with amaZenent when, after IS years of
widowerhood, he arrived at Thorpe home
stead with his bride, and they were pre-
sented to blue eyed, timid looking child
of IL. The Misses Thorpe presided frigid-
1y at the tea table. In vain did the little
bride endeavor to make conversation and
establish some sort of a social footing
'Paul,' - she whispered when at last she
had her husband to herself, am afraid of
theml 1 don't think they like mel"
Nonsense, my dear, - said Mr.. Thorpe,
stroking down the golden curls of his
didly together when you're a little better
acquainted. -
fEuphemia, said Miss CIarissa as she
sat before the glass rolling her scanty hair
up in paper, what do you think Of Mrs.
Paul ThorpeF"
81 hate her"
Paul Thorpe had not been married quite
a year to his little wife when Miss Eu-
phemia came to him one day.
"Can speak to you alone, PaulP"
t'Of course you can, Phemy; but what
is all the mystery about?'' he answered
gayly:
answered primly, when you have read
the letter
'What letter. Who wrote it9'
"One of your wifes admirers probably.
found it in the pocket of the white dress
she sent to the wash this morning"
InvOluntarily Paul Thorpe glanced at
the letter, whose signature had been torn
away-a letter written in a bold, mascu-
line chirography;
MY OWN DARLING MARIAN-Your letter of
yesterday convinced me more and more that
your love is still mine, even though
''StopP' he cried aloud between his
firmly set teeth. '1Who dares to call my
wife his darlingP Who dares''-
''Euphemia, - he said huskily, ST thank
you for opening my eyes. I was a mad
fool for thinking thet a child of II could
ever care for me-"
He turned away, with face like ashes.
''Paulr' his sister called after him.
''Paull''
But the door had already closed behind
his retreating footsteps.
Paul Thorpe returned no more. A brief,
cold letter to his wife announced that
business of Importance would necessitate
a few years residence in Europe.
'But why didn't he come himself2''
walled Maria, wringing her little white
hands. "Have I offended him2 Have
done wrong il any unconscious way?"
Miss Euphernia made no reply. The
letter she herself had received by the same
mail contained these words:
can never see her again. While she lives
am an exile from my home. I leave her to
your care. Be kind to her, for perhaps she is
the creature of untOwRrd circumstances. I
will remit all necessary funds regularly.
Yours truly, P. T.
Miss Phemy sat staring at the fire with
the letter in her hand. She had parted
man and wife. She had made them both
wretched, for in her heart she believed
that Marian loved Paul Thorpe.
Il dare not tell the truth now" she
thought. II dare not confess that I tore
the signature from the letter, and that it
was written by that brother of hers in ui-
nois that she never speaks of because he
forged a check once and had to flee the
state.
But even the callous heart of Miss
Phemy reproached her for her craft when
she saw the roses fading away from poor
Marian's cheeks, the elasticity DESERVING
her light, graceful figure as day by day
crept by and no word or message came
from the absent husband.
But one day Miss Clarissa came home
from district visiting pale, 1anguid and
heavy eyed, and within day or two the
disease declared itself definitely-smallpO
of the most virulent type.
Servants fed the house, neighbors dis
covered that they needed change of air,
friends and acquaintance cOntented them
selves by sending cards of inquiry through
the mails, and even a professional nurse
could not be obtained.
Tim sure don't know what we are to
do, - said DR.. Kenward when it was dis
covered that Miss Euphemia, too, was
stricken down by the baleful disease.
81 will take care of them, doctor" said
Marian. 81 have had the disease and
don't fear it. They are my husbands sis
ters. 1t is all can do for him now"
And through long days and nights of
anguish and delirium she remained con-
slant to her charge until the balance turn
ed and they recovered.
''You would both of you have been in
your graves under six feet of earth if it
hadn't been for this girl, - said blunt DR..
Kenward. under God, you owe your
lives to her"
Miss Clarissa silently leaned forward to
kiss Marian blanched countenance. Eu-
phemia only drew a sort Of short, quick
sob and asked for her writing desk.
81 would not try to write just yet,
said Marian gently.
only one letter. mustP' said Miss
Phemy, and Marian let her have her way.
DEAR BRorHER-I have deceived you about
Marian, though swear before Heavens tri-
bunal didn't know at the time how much
mischief working. She is as pure and
good an angel, and through doing good to
them that despitefully used her she has
wrought out her own salvation. I inclose the
signature myself tore OH that fatal letter
which has estrangsd You both-the signature
of Marian's own brother. Guy Russell. Do not
reproach me. I have suffered enough already
for my crime Yours repentantly,
EUPHEMIA THORPE.
Directed to the care of his lawyer, the
letter reached Paul Thorpe at Boston,
whittier he had just arrived from London,
and three days afterward he stood upon
his own threshold. Marian herself CHANGED
to open the door to him.
PAUL Oh, PAUL Ny husbandr' she