Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1899-01-04

/ NY O"n opinlOn nus always been that
you were inveigled away against your
better self and that you are heartily
sick OF the brute. I'm told that he
drinks and that he beats YOU I've
searched for you high and low. I've
even advertised for you. and meanwhile
I've always kept your place open. I've
told our friends (and some believe mel
that the acting fever had got into your
blood. you could not keep off the boards
and had accepted splendid engage
ment IN America, but that you were
coming back soon for certain. Think of
the children
I've no children l burst out in
dig1antly.
They are taught 10 expect your re-
turn, " he continued as if he had not
heard me. Polly is like you-she was
: on Thursday. Billy takes after me,
they say, and, as for Esmeralda. you
shall Judge for yourself All can say
Is that l forgive everything. Mary.
come homer'
AS he spoke be looked most terribly
In earnest, poor man. His voice shook
his face was ashen; great beads Of per
spiration stood upon his forehead. | de
clare l felt almost sorry for him.
Il regret. sir / said. that Won
have made complete stranger so con-
versant with your private affairs. My
husband Is tea broker. have no fam
lly. L have never been and never will
BE- inside theater III my life; much
less have ] acted or danced 80
"Oh Mary. why do you torture me
like this he exclaimed. Are you so
happy with him--a married man? How
can YOU consent to live in sin:'
Silence, sir"' I shrieked. nearly be
side myself
Il will not he silent!' ho stormed
Had ever any woman so forgiving
husband: Bnt then l love you-I love
you and here the miserable wretch
actually burst into tears and went sud
denly down and grovrled M my knees.
hlcing his bead and his heartrending
sobs in my gown. l was certain his
loud voice. lamentations and arguments
must have been heard by the Upping
hams What would they think:
Il am really sorry for you. sir. " /
said, drawing away my skirt. How
can l induce YOU To believe that am
not your abandoned wife: See here is
my handkerchief and nv initials. =
What are initials?" he scoffed
GU can change them as easily rs you
have changed your voice and the color
OF your hair. 1 see you'v dyed il the
new red but, all the same, my heart
recognizes my own Polly, Now that
I've found you l swear 1 shall never
let you 70; the children are always ask
ing when mother will be home. They
don I know the truth God forgive me
for the lies l have told them Z"
| shook my head impatiently. for it
was useless 20 attempt 10 speak
How can you be 80 false, " be cried,
so hard hearted: Look at yourself as
you were, and he suddenly opened a
locket and jerlSed it at me-
The painted photograph which was
thus compelled TO examine was that of
pretty woman who certainly did re-
semble me- There l saw my ewes. nv
nose, my mouth
1t was like you, the image Of you.
before you grew fat. You always had
dread of growing fat. These three
years have aged you terribly. You look
every day Of 40; you know You always
had horror OF being elderly.
i have a great horror of being taken
for another woman protested vigor-
ously
Mary, be said. suddenly turning
ON me and speaking il great excite
ment, 'after having treated me so
cruelty l wonder how you can be so
callous. l declare you are more like
some stony hearted monster than a wo-
man Of flesh and bloodr surveying
xxrfe . g
ever, you shall not escape me. For the
children's sake. / shall take you home.
know best what is for your good and
theirs, and nothing you can say or do
shall move me You remember my will
OF old.
Here the train began 20 slacken, and
L suddenly let down the window
what are you about?" he demanded
sharply.
L opened the door ere he discerned
my purpose. precipitated myself upon
the platform and called Tor the station
master
A burly official with a weather beaten
face came hurrying up.
"Oh, station master" l cried, II
throw myself on your protection This
person. pointing TO my companion,
who had hastily alighted, has annoy
ed me the whole way from London; he
has mistaken me for some one else and
prosecuted me most cruelty. Find me
another carriage and lock me in. ="
''She is my WIFE" roared the stran-
/ ger. IL can swear to her. She ran away
with French jockey three years ago
and left her home and children. I've
hunted for her everywhere. and bv
good luck she got into the same car
riage with me at Victoria. claim her.
do you hear?"
He is insane!' shrieked II never
saw him before -
l now noticed Mrs. Uppingham, her
sister and the young man all staring
ont of the window, watching the scene
with every symptom of the hveliest in
terest. Indeed every open window in
the train was full of heads. The porters
the cabmen, the very newsboys, had
gathered together and made a ring
round us.