Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1901-11-09

to seek such separation, and after a little
comfortable chat. have been able to
persuade them that in cases of this kind
it is better. far better, to forgive I'D 10
forget"
Ensor shook his head.
Do not misunderstood me-" he said
quietly. There is little in my wife that
needs forgiveness, and doubtless she
would tell you the same thing regarding
me. Neither OF us has committed any
special wrong 1t is simply question Of
incompatability Of temper. The wrong
man married the wrong woman. That
is ALL"
Then nothing that say can bring
you to change your mind?" asked the
other man, gravely.
Nothing that you can say or do. Mr.
Oldborough, well-meaning and kind az
you always arc-can cause me or my
wife to abate our resolution one jot
Come. let us cease this purposelcss con-
versation. and come to business. l re-
quirc deed Of separation drawn I'D a.
once"
In that case" returned Mr.. Oldbor-
ough. sadly, there is no alternative lief,
inc but to accedc to your wishes"
He then drew sheet of paper to-
wards him. and took down the details OF
the document, all of which details Ensoi
dictated in firm voice.
When will the deed be ready for sig.
nature?" asked the latter. as he rose to
quit the Office.
Il will have it prepared this afternoon
and. if you choose, | will call at youi
house to obtain the signatures next Mon.
day morning"
Ensor bowed.
Good he said promptly. "On Mon.
day morning you will find my wife and
myscl. waiting to receive you."
A moment later he was passing rap.
idly down the grimy stairs of the Inn
whilst the lawyer stood regarding him
with a mournful expression.
His mind is made up" he pondcred
"and only Heaven itself can change him
now"
The week wore to its end. Sunday
came and went, and the fatcful Monday
dawned.
All was ready for Olives departure.
Her clothes, jewelry and other belong
ings had been packed, and quiet lodgings
had been found for her, pending more
permanent arrangements. Nothing re-
NAMED now but to sign the deed of
separation, and then-good-byc.
A hanson drew up at the gate, and
Mr.. Oldborough alighted, carrying a
small bag
He greeted the silent couple with SOL
emn kindness. Taking each one aside,
he asked whether, even at this late hour,
a reconciliation might not be contcm-
plated, but the answer which he received
from husband and wife convinced him
that his good-naturcd words had fallen
on barren soil. Controlling the sigh
which trembled on his breath. he OPEN
ed his bag and produced the deed which
was to separate "this man and this wo-
man." who, seven years before, had
stood at Gods altar and sworn to love
and cherish each other for better for
worse until death should intervene.
Death had not interviewed. but for all
that separation was at hand-a few more
minutes, and all would be done.
A pause cnsucd. There was a form
ality to be gone through before the sign
ing of the deed. The solicitor explained
it would be necessary that the marriage
certificate should be produced. and that
the date and number of registration
should be transferred from that ccrti-
ficatc to the present document
Fetch the deed, Olive, If you please" ;,
said Ensor to his wife. II think it Is
locked away in your drawer"
She obeyed During her absence no
word was spoken for few minutes.
Then Mr.. Oldborough said, more for the
sake OF breaking the awkward silence
than for any other reason:
"Mrs. Ensor is long time gone, is
she not?"
Perhaps she has had some difficulty
in opening the drawer" responded En-
sor mechanically. Il know that it has
nor been touched for years."
They waited in quiet patience, and
presently the door opened and Olive en-
tered. She carried in one hand the mar
riage certificate and in the other a small
woollen object.
What was it? It seemed to Mr.. Old.
borough that it was baby's shoe.
Olives face had changed. All the dull
resentment had gone out OF her eyes; q
light shone in them that had not shone
there for many, many weary months.
There were tears upon her checks as she
approached her husband, and said brok-
emily:
Jack. Do you remember this shoc"
Jack Ensor turned away to conceal
his emotion.
1T was Our child's Shoe" he replied
huskily.
"Yes. 1t lay in my drawer beside the
certificate"
For the man and woman who stood
close to each other in that supreme mo-
ment, the room faded, and memory took
each OF them back to a certain. gray
dawn, five years ago, when they had
stood at a certain bedside, ana over a
dead child's face and renewed tn. old,
old VOWS OF love and tenderness. That
child's face was before them now-those
baby lips were pleading in passionate
fervor, bidding husband and wife put
aside ancient bitterness, and clasp hands
in friendship once more.
Mr.. Oldborough, with wonderful tact
took in the situation at once. With a
quick movement he grasped the deed OF
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