The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1900-12-21

discussion. I will not hear another
word against her even from you," said
Harvey, haughtily.
Gladys lips Quivered.
"You must admit that she is your
adviser-a wise one, perhaps, from her
point Of view," she said gently. But
you are both reasoning in the dark.
Harvey, you have no legal claim on
my property"
mo claim on my own fathers
money!"
1T was not his money. He was a
poor man. My father was very angry
when he married one of his daugh-
ters." Gladys spoke in short sentences,
carefully, as IL fearing she might say
too much. ut was a runaway match,
and papa would not forgive it,
"Why did you never tell me this be-
fore?" asked Harvey, sharply.
Il wished to spare you pain, dear.
What need for you to know, since all
had was practically yours? l speak
now because / must If you had only
been content with things as they were!
1t was to keep you out of your fathers
way that l cam. here, where no one
knew me, after papa died. For he was
a bad mana drunkard, gambler and
criminal. He married your poor little
mother-he was very handsome, and
she romantic boarding school girl
for her money, and when it was gone,
left her and her baby to starve, as they
might have done but for Phebe Tom
linson."
Gladys was very pale, and shivered
once or twice as she talked. But Har-
vey felt no compassion for her; his
sympathy was for himself He remem-
bered that Mrs. Anterior had never
talked of his father, and answered his
childish inquiries concerning him
vaguely, diverting his thoughts to
other subjects; but he had not dreamed
of this, and the knowledge was bitter.
"This man, your husband, is he liv-
ing?"
mo; he died in prison a year ago."
"In prison!"' Harvey drew a sob
bling breath. "My God, what an end
to my boyish dreams! But l don't I'M
derstand even yet. If he spent all your
money, how does it happen that you
are still rich?"
When papa died had my full share
Of the estate" she answered after
a scarcely perceptible pause. at was
fhQn phnha ond 7
"And my grandfather left me moth
ing?"
Nothing. He hated you, poor little
orphan that you were, because you
were your fathers child. That is why
I devoted my life to you, DEAR"
There was infinite tenderness in
Gladys tone, but Harvey, hurt and hui
inflated by what he~had learned, was
not moved by it.
THAT was the least you could do"
he said coldly," since it is to you I
am indebted for my heritage Of shame.
We little know what people really
are, do we? All my life you have
seemed to me the one perfect woman,
and now"
Harvey.
The startled cry brought the young
man to his senses. He looked at her
almost wildly.
81 am a brute, Madam Gladys, but
remember, am hard hit. There, dear,
don't cry" he said kindly, bending
over the covering figure and stroking
the soft hair. 81 shall get over this
in time-with my wife's help"
Harvey, you surely will not tell
Helen the secret have given years Of
my life to hide?" cried Gladys. ut Is
not wholly your own"
"Helen is my wife; have you forgot
ten? She has my complete confidence.
And it will be necessary to explain to
her why our reasoning was at fault"
he coldly returned. And as If to
avoid discussion, he left the room.
Ito be continued.)