Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-05-12

"llf w itN d'lliIit AtIih Shf ud'i SStu
news that part of the crew of the Ari
khama had been rescued2 Just now,
when Alan was showing signs of over
work and about to take holiday, it
would he cruel to deal him such blow.
A few weeks longer in her sunshine
would make no difference to anybody
but herself Alan would never know
Edward Conway need never know
that she mad been aware all along that
three men belonging to the Arikhama
had been rescued off an uninhabited
island in the Pacific ocean. Why should
she say anything. Why should she not
at least let Alan finish his book-the
greatest book he had ever done-take his
holiday. and, if the blow fell tben-why,
he would be the better prepared to
meet it. Il would be bad enough if Ed
ward Conway discovered her and the
secret could not be kept any longer.
Having thls made mp her mind to
keep the news which had reached her
to herself, she act ed Immediately She
destroyed the torn sheet of the paper
and thrust the part which remained
carelessly into the rack with the other
journals, trusting to her own wit to
keep Alan from wishing to look at it
during the day. 1t was an off day with
the y6ung lady who typed to her dicta
ton, 50 that she was free of any tie of
work. She set herself to do some nee
iiework in order that she might look &C.
cupiad when Alan made his appearance,
and she sat near the window stitching
ildustriously, while her mind went over
Ind over again such shreds of self
justification as she could find to salve
her conscience She told herself that it
was not as if she had gone into an IL
regular union with her eyes open.
She had truly and honestly believed
herself to be Edward Conway's widow,
and her marriage with Alan was her
real marriage What was it they said:
I require and charge you both, as We
will answer at the dreadful day of judg-
ment. when the secrets Of all hearts shall
be disclosed, if either of you know of
any impediment why We may not law
fully be Joined together in matrimony,
We do now confess it. Then came these
impressive words: Those whom God
hath joined together let no man put
asuDder " Surely, surely, God had join
ed them; surely, surely. it had been by
the permission of God that suc!i a blaze
uf pure and innocent Joy and glory had
come into her life; surely she would bs
doing right TO continue such union.
The most fanatical and bigoted lover of
conventiopalism could never wish that
she should 90 back to live the life of
shame and degradation which had been
hers during those few months after her
first marriage ge-after that barbarous sale
of herself into which she had been driven
by circumstances absolutely beyond her
control
Alan Stacey came down presently,
and when Mary noticed how haggard
and i'll he was looking she thanked
heaven that she had kept the news of
Edward Conways survival to herself.
she exerted herself in every possible
way to please him, coa2ing him to eat
when lunchrime came and being seem
ingly in the gayest and brightest of
spirits But nothing served to rouse him
from the dull depression which seemed
to have taken possession of him.
''INbelieve you ought TO have staid
in bed - she said at last as he sat mop
ing ard shivering over the fire.
..No; I'm better up he answered.
The book is weighing ON Your mind,
dearest.
Horribly, he replied, horribly
feel as if l should never finish it,.
''Oh, don't say that You've been
burning the candle at both ends You
cannot do this work and 90 to fancy
dress balls at the same time. Why not
let us slip away and finish it quietly
somewhere1 Surprising that we pack
mp and go to scme quiet little place
where we can work i'll peace and com
fort, and after that we will go off on
our long holiday.
He caught at the suggestion eagerly
That's a good idea, Mary, he re-
piled; that's very good idea. You'll
take little Miss Wilmington down with
you?'
"Oh, yes, because theIes good lot
TO do yet Oh yes we would lave'her
dOwa there with rs. But the change,
the fresh air, ne sea, the restfulness.
would all be .Nry good for you and
%uald help you TO finish il vita half
;he effort it would he if we staid mt
home. Shall we go off at oncet"
AS soon rs ever you like, he re
piled. Where shall we go2 Let us try
an.nr part of Cornwall.
well, dear. there's that little place