Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1901-09-26

~What was II? Oh, yes--hospitals
and tanitariums. / suppose IL is
right, but II seems cruel, heartless-
when man is not to blame. IL is
not like wlllful neglect"
81 know-but If the ease were I.op-
eriy presented to him would he not
see 1t as you do?"
"He does already-he suggested IL
himself"
Harmon Hale could scarcely repress
an exclamation Of Joy. but he con-
trolled himself and proceeded quietly:
"Then your duty seems plain"
But / cannot be so sure of my
ability to furnish Alberta those priv
heges which alone would justify the
step. My earnings are small, even II
she had them all
There was moments silence,
broken only by the sharp clatter OF
hoofs on the graveled road. Then
Harmon Hale boldly played his trump
card.
AS coon as you are free, all that
have is yours-yours and Alberts's
no, do not answer yet-hear me
through"
And she heard him-sitting as one
In dream while vision after vision
OF ease and splendor foated before
her bewildered senses. With consum-
mate skill he played upon her NOR
bid deSotion to her child's worldly
advancement. He spoke not OF love,
only OF respect and duty-far higher
than loye-of sacrifice, the highest
form OF love. On his own part the
desire to have his fortune accomplish
the highest good, the development OF
human souls to their utmos. capacity.
and he could think OF no worthier
subjects than herself and the beauti-
full Alberta. And AL could be easily
arranged. They could go quietly AWAY
"a good sanitarium selected-a life
term paid In advance. The divorce
courts Of distant city and no ques-
tions asked, The husband and father
must be happy in the thought Of his
sublime sacrihce-his years could be
few at best-but In the meantime to
child every year counted much.
"Do not answer me tonight" ne
said, as they drew up Mt the door OF
the mean little cottage where the
light from single cheap oil lamp
burned dimly; tomorrow at four
o'clock | shall be near the south en-
trance OF the park; II you are pass
Ing ] will join you there. and you may
answer me-"
She murmured faint assent, and
Harmon Hale drove away feeling sure
that he had won.
: The house was 40 still when she
entered that she could almost hear
the beating Of her own heart. With
a strange foreboding sht entered the
bedroom. Her husband lay upon his
back, hands prone on the coverlet and
a horrible pRllor on his face. His
half open eyes were uuseeing. She
sprang forward, calling his name
sharply, but he did not stir. She
placed her ear to his lips, her fingers
upon his pulse, There was a faint
signing breath, feeble futter OF the
heart Searching for stlmulant, her
eyes fell upon the morphine bottle.
II was empty In an instant the
hasty words she had flung him q
parting REQUIRED TO her. and she
knew what he had done. II he died
she was no better than murderer.
She forced n stimulant down his
throat, then ran 90 her nearest neigh
hor, reused him and sent for the doc
tor, She made strong coffee, poured
II between the lips, chnfod his hands,
put hot cloths upon his heart, and all
the while prayed desperately; "Oh
Godl bring Linn back 10 me II only
for a moment Just long enough for
me to tell him how | love himl"
For In the moment OF that awful
discovery she had become clothed and
In her right mind She know that he
was her first, her last, her best her
only love e-"tor better, for worse, In
sickness and health, till 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 thia
deed, After what seemed to her an
age ot suffering the doctor came, and
together they fought for that pre-
cious life and won,
At quarter Of four the next after.
noon Mrs. Reid said to her husband;
"The sunshine will do you good; let
MS take little walk In the park, 1t
is not far-you can lean on me, and
we will rest there II you are tired.
Come, Alberta"
A. they approached the south en-
trance they saw Harmon Hale loung.
ing ON bench close to the walk.
Mrs, Reid drew ner husband closer 10
her side and raised her voice lust
trine A. they passed him, but did not
look his way.
81 shall never leave you alone
again, Oscar As FOR the club, | have
done with H. The members are
set ot iserahlc sophists, who wou.l
trample every holy sentiment OF the
heart under foot In the name ~
progrcsSl"
Hush dear, is not that Mr. Hale
lie will hear you. lie is a member OF
t,7 club, rs he uot9"
Harmon Hale had heard and was
answered As for Oscar Reid, he never
knew OF that memorable drive from
the club,
Mistaken Identity,