The Saint Paul globe., 1899-03-26

to call and see dying woman The post
mark was Paris and the letter was signed
'Nita~'
Il hurried off to the address given, ant
found that it was in one of the most poverty
stricken slums, where, in a garrett devoid O
any but the scantiest furniture, 1 found m!
poor wife,
His voice faltered for moment then grew
steady again.
She had piteous tale to tell me, and i
required only glance to see that her illness
was not Ielgned. 1t seems that she and ST
Harry were old acquaintances long before
came upon the scene.
When they met at the Carnival after ou
marriage, she appealed privately to him no
TO enllghten me as to her questionable ante
cedents saying that now she found herself il
a respectable position, she wished to acqui
herself Worthily of it.
He promised readily enough, but from tn
very hrst day of their reunion, he pressed hi
attentions upon her, first declaring his owl
passionate affection for her. and the1
rdiculing her boy -husband-myself
1T seems that once upon a time she hat
loved Sir Harry very dearly, but now sh
made a brave fight between love and duty
What between his VOWS of eternal constanc.
and his threats of telling me all, Of cours
the woman gave way.
Sir Harry forged that telegram KNOWN;
that L should fall into the trap, then hurried
back to Venice to avail himself of my alb
sence Tor a final effort to persuade her t.
leave me.
together,
Nemesis was on their track. Their train me
with an accident, was thrown off the line
and several carriages smashed.
Inc one they were in was utterly wrecked
and poor Nita was seriously injured. Anothe
train carried them on to Paris Whereupon
the doctors universally agreeing that sh
could never recover, Sir Harry basely de
serted her, leaving only just sufficient none.
behind for immediate necessities
The money dwindled away like waite
thrown upon the ground Then she tried t.
raise more by the sale of her jeweIry anc
clothes. You can, perhaps, imagine how thos
rogues of French lodging house keepers woult
rob helpless woman.
AT last, when on the brink of starvation
convinced that death was near at hand, sh
sent for me.
Il found that her spine was frightfully in
jured and that her limbs were paraIyzed-
that all the doctors agreed her death wa.
only matter of time as she could not pos
sibly recover.
What could I do? Of course, I could hav,
sued for divorce, but humanity forbade i
the look in her poor, clouded eyes haunt
me even now-so 1 had her carefully removed
to bright, cheerful apartments 1 engaged
maid and hospital nurse to attend her
| agreed to pay all charges, and to make he
an allowance, and awaited Gods own time fo
my release
That is seven years ago, and she still
fingers on in her dreadful helpessness.
of course, see now that 1 ought to hav
/
her L could have provided for her equal.
well, but pity for her and pride for the homo
of my own name prevented me.
L thought her death was question O.
weeks or months-it has proved to be years
Until L met you, Barbara, 1 scarcely felt tn,
iron chain that bound me-
wandered about, from one country t.
another, leading an aimless life, until I re
turned to England about six months ago
when found myself suddenly plunged agai1
into the vortex Of society. My marriage wa,
a secret from the world. Can you wonde1
that preserved it as such and hurried If i,
my own heart?
Il let it be generally understood that 7 wa,
not marrying man, and steered clear from
all entanglements
linen met you, and I knew that I hat
grew, until my whole soul was yonrs'
might have found courage and strength tC
have torn myself away had it been any
other man but Sir Harry Grasmore who was
persecut1ng you with his attentions; but
though l could not win you myself. 1 was
determined to prevent his doing So
Il had never sen him since he sent me or
fools errand in Venice until we met, in
your presence, that night at the opera Fol
his own sake | thought he would preserve m,
secret, whilst l-well, you see, my hands were
tied; L had fastened the cord myself
Since L had elected, at twenty-years o1
age, TO keep my disgrace secret, how coulc
[ call him to account for it at thirty? Yet
you can picture what gall and wormWood il
has been to me to see him received as a mar
OF honor and a gentleman by my friends
Ask yourself Barbara-was justified in re-
naming in London after L discovered my
danger?-in seeking your presence when
knew 1 loved you?''
You were justified I say, in a low voice
"Ah! but not for breaking down nv guard
not for letting you know I loved you.'' he
cries, wildly. Those theatricals that dance
oh, my darling, it was cowardly to steal
your priceless love, to cause you tears and
pain. Then tried to fly when the mischief
was done. I arranged to join that expedition