The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1901-07-26

when a man Is not to blame. IL "
not like willful neglect"
81 know-but II the case were rrop-
erly presented to him would he NOS
see II as you dog"
"He does a~lready-ne suggested T"
himself"
Harmon Hale could scarcely repress
an exclamation of joy, but ne con-
trolled himself and proceeded quictly'
"Then your duty seems plain.
"But I cannot he so sure of my
ability 20 furnish Alberta those Priv
i,cges which alone would justify The
step. My earnings are small, even II
she had them ail.
There was n moments silence,
broken only by the sharp %clatter OF
hoofs on the grayeled road. Then
Harmon Hale boldly played mis- trump
card.
AS soon as you are free. all that
| have Is yours-yours md Albcrta's
no. do not answer yet-hear me
through"
And she heard him-sitting rs n
In q dream while VISION after vision
Of Ease and splendor fioatcd before
her bcwildcrcd senses. With consum-
mate skill he played vpon her NOR
bid devotion to her child's worldly
Advancement. lie spoke not OF love,
only 81 respect and duty far higher
than love-of sacrifice. the highest
form of love. On his own part tho
desire To have his fortune accomplish
I1a ht.F1A.N asAaI tlhs I.N.lnt.4tan All
human souls to their utmoS. capacity.
and he could think Of no worthicr
subjects than herself and the bcauti-
fui Alberta. And MI could he easily
arranged. They could go quietly away
a good snnitarium sclected--n life
term paid In advance. The divorce
courts OF n distant city md no qucs-
tions asked. The husband and father
must be happy In the thought Of his
sublime sncrifcc-nis years could bc
few at bcst-but In the meantime to
u child every year counted much.
$40 not answer me tonight" 10
said. ns they drew mp ut the door ~
the mean little cottage where tho
light from n single cheap oil lamp
hur1rd dlmly: "to.morrow at four
o'clock ! shall he near the south en-
trance of the park: " q are pass
ing ! will 'nin YOU there, and you may
answer me-"
She murmurcd n inint assent. aud
Harmon Hale drove away feeling sure
that he had u
The house was ~ Still when shs
uttered that she could almost hear
'hc heating Of her own heart. With
n strange forehoding SHE entered tho
BEDROOM. Her husband lay upon his
'ack. hands prone on the coyrrlct aud
n horrible pnllor on his face. lIis
hnlf open eyes were unsccing. Sho
snrnrg forward. calling his nama
.hr My. hut he did not stir. Shs
placed her ear To his lips. her fingers
upon lis pulse. There was n faint
signing breath. n feeble fnttcr OF tho
heart. Searching for u stimulnnt. her
eyes fell upon the morphine bottle.
II was empty! In nm instant tho
hnsty words she had flung him q
pnrting REQUIRED to her. and she
knew what he had done. ~ he died
she was no better than n murderer.
She forced n stlmulnnt down his
throat. then ran to her nearest ncigh-
hor. reused him and sent for the doe
tor. She made strong coffee. poured
n between the lips. chnfed his hands.
put hot cloths upon his heart. and all
the while prayed desperately; ooh.
God! bring Linn back to me II only
for n moment Just long enough for
me to tell him how ! love hint"
For In the moment Of that awful
discovery she had become clothed and
was her first, her last, her best. her
only love--"for better. for worse. in
sickness and health. tin death do us
part" Alberta stirred In her sleep
and spoke her name. For an instant
she almost hated the sound OF her
voice. II had been her insane vanity
for her child that had done thiI
deed. After what seemed TO her an
age OF suffering the doctor came. and
together they fought for that pre-
clous life and won.
At n quarter OF four the next after
noon Mrs. Reid said to her husband;
"Thc sunshine will do you good: let
MS take n little walk In the park. II
Is not fnr-you can lean on me. aud
we will rest there II you are tired.
Come, Alberta"
As they approached the south n
trance they saw Harmon Hale loung-
ing on n bench close to the walk.
Mrs. Reid drew ner husband closer to
her side and raised her voice lust n
trife "a they passed him. but did not
look his way.
~ shall never leave you alone
again, Oscar. As for the club. I have
done with II. The members nre a
set OF ! iserable sophists. who wou,d
trnmple every holy sentiment Of tho
heart under foot in the name Of
progress!"
Hush, dear, is not that Mr.. Hale?
Tie will hear you. lie Is n member Of
the club. is he not?"
Harmon Hale had heard and was