Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-11-10

lie would have given all those mil
lions, and all that he had beside, to see
that little woman free. How he pitied
her and despised himself as they stood
alone, man and wife together, in the
ferry waiting-roo1n!
This is case where can congrat-
ulate you, too" she said, "and then
! must go at once. 1t is much later than
thought it would be-"
"Go?" Stanton muttcred. eco where?
Didn't you hear him? Whom God hath
joined together'?'
"You are overweight tonight" she
replied, gently. ut will be different in
the morning. You will remember, then,
that 1t was only plain business bar
gain, clearly understood and fairly car
ried out. A wise end has been accom-
: plished, and am perfectly satisfied"
II do not want to remember that it
was bargain" Stanton exclaimed,
, struggling to rouse himself. ut was
the meanest of self-interest in me, and
simply unheard-of generosity in you.
Forgive me. Come with NE now and lie
my real wife. am not worthy Of you,
but will do my best to"
"Why, sir, not half an hour ago you
! said you trusted me. If was worthy
of your confidence, surely shall not be
false to our compact, for your sake,
any more than for my own. Here is the
card of a banking house in New York.
If there are any papers requiring my
signature, send them addressed to Es-
ther Thorndike, in their care, and they
will be forwarded to me at once. If no
harm will result from it, think shall
/, go abroad, with friends who are to leave
a week from to-day. wish that you
/, Florida, or California. You don't know
how many uncomfortable things will
come up for you to face If you remain
here. Promise me that you will 60"
! why, certainly, If" The incongru-
ity of following instinct and saying IF
you wish it" checked him. lie waited Il
moment, and added, falteringly: Il
should like to go with YOU twas not
necessary to see her face to know that
q decided negative was coming, and be-
fore she could speak, he added; ''At
least you will let me send you the money
for your trip?"
Certainly not, sir. That was not the
bargain which we made" she en-
claimed. "You forget that, except for
this legal matter which you have to
settle, we are each of us precisely what
we We're an hour ago. We neither of
us wished to marry anyone, and, to ac-
complish wise end, we went through
aceremony the only result of which upon
ourselvesis thatwe, privately and secret
| ly, know that now we cannot marry.
That is all, and it was no sacrifice to
either of us. know well enough that
we shall each OF us respect the others
position, and that unless one of us
should change and wish that we might
marry, there will never be a sacrifice.
| assure you, have great deal more
money than l can ever begin to use, III
all my life
eat least. madam, there was to be d
condition, and you have not named it,
Stanton muttered.
~ do not need to- now" she replied
turning to go.
''It was not that way in the bargain,
Stanton said, and the tips of his teeth
showed under his mustache. This time
it was more like the smile of a boy
who had been already flogged, and
smarts, and still is doing his best not
to cry.
For moment she hestated. then,
turning with a quick motion, as if to
have it soon over with, she said:
1T was only that you promise me
that, except where this business de.
mands it, you will never. in any way
in public or private, admit to me or te
anyone that you ever saw or heard Of
me-"
"Why, madame"
"That was a part of the bargain
"Not speak to you or write to your
"Never. l should never respond il
you did. Wasn't that the wife yo}
wanted and the wife 7 promised to be
Gomez"
MADAM, I was detestablc fellow t.
suggest it. God grant that some da,
you may come to think better and for
give me-"
Don't put it So" she said 81 an
bound to do my part and you are bound
to do yours. Such a condition will hell
us both. How could possibly have
anything to forgive? With all m,
heart I am glad that was able to he'll
you in thwarting one who would hav,
wropged you, You have done NOR,
than that, and avenged wrong he die
you long ago. Listen. am going t,
trust you with secret which would
place me helplessly at your mercy i
: you chose to take advantage of it t,
discover me-" She stepped nearer
took his hand in hers, and, leaning for
ward, added, in low tone: You hap
married the affiapced bride Of Richar,
Raymond The engagement wa
broken this afternoon"
Before he realized that she was go
ing, Stanton stood alone. Hundred
were passing, but he was alone. Late
the waiting-room was almost deserted
but he was no less or more alone. TIL
night Waterman stopped before lir
: again and again, and at last, assuring
himself that at least the man was no
drunk, he shook him gently and aske
; If he was ill.
, Stanton looked up, thought for
, moment, and answered.. NO" The
he looked up at the clock. It was afte
. two. With a start he turned away an
, went back to New York and to his O,
flee.
1t was a relief to the night man t
/ have him out OF the waiting-room. ]
| WAS a relief to Stanton to be in thn