The Bossier banner., 1901-06-13

share-the remarkable beliefs of the
Sons and Daughters of Progress"
DO you know, DEAR" he said, as
she was dressing lor the club one
evening, "that you would be quite
justified in suing for divorce?"
Mrs. Reid started. Divorce was the
subject for discussion that night.
Yes he continued, "as the laws
are now, you could get one easily
enough-nonsupport, you know-and
unhampered by me you could give
Alberta the privileges which should
be her birthright. l have thought
often that I ought-to take-myself
away-but I am too cowardly-Pm
too sick to be brave-and II love
you and Alberta So"
'But not we'll enough to die for us
-hark! there is my car. Be sure AL
berta keeps covered, but don't sit up
for me. Good-Dy!'
Mrs. Reid's words were lightly
spoken. She meant them as Jest,
but they entered her husbands soul
like red-hc.., iron.
At the club they took the same
view of divorce suggested by Mr..
Reid. If for any cause man failed
to support and properly educate l.
children and the mother could do this
better alone, she was amply justified
in severing the marriage tie. In fact,
it was her plain duty to do so.
But if the husband was sick and
helpless?" ventured Mrs. Reid, tim
idly.
Harmon Hale shot her keen in
terrogating glance, which so discon-
certed her that she but half needed
the answer to her ques ton.
''There are hospitals and sanitari-
ums. A right-minded man would
rather himself become public charge
than risk the future of his children"
Harmon Hale was bachelor mil
lionaire who made no secret of his
admiration for Mrs. Reid, although
he never gave her offensive atten-
tions. After the club he offered to
drive her home in his trap and she
accepted. He had daring scheme to
unfold, and he began cautiously:
There was no answer.
"Will you pardon me, Mrs. Reid, if
I say that I read the thought behind
your question tonight? l know your
case is a hard one. but did you not
apprcv, of the answer?"
what was it? Oh, yes-hospitals
and sanitariums. l suppose il is
| right, but it seems cruel, heartless-
when man is not to blame. 1t is
not like willful neglect"
II know-but if the case were r1op-
erly presented to him would he not
see it as you do?"
HE does already-ne suggested it
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
ileges which alone would justify the
step. My earnings are small, even if
she had them all.
There was a moments silence,
broken only by the sharp clatter of
| hoofs on the graveled road. Then
Harmon Hale boldly played his trump
card.
"As soon as you are free, all that
I have is yours-yours and Alberta's
no, do not answer yet-hear me
through"
And she heard him-sitting as one
in a dream while vision after vision
of ease and splendor floated before
her bewildered senses. With consum-
mate skill he played upon her NOR
bid devotion to her child's worldly
advancement. He spoke not of love,
only of respect ana duty-far higher
than love-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 utmost capacity,
and he could think of no worthier
subjects than herself and the beauti-
| full Alberta. And all could be easily
arranged. They could go quietly away
Ia good sanitarium selected-a life
term paid in advance. The divorce
courts of distant city and no ques-
| tioIS dShSu. HC anu thCl
must be happy in the thought of his
sublime sacrifice-his years could be
few at best-but in the meantime to
a child every year counted much.
"Do not answer me tonight" he
said, as they drew up at the door of
the mean little cottage where the
light from a single cheap oil lamp
burned dimly; tomorrow at four
O'Clock I shall be near the south en-
trance of the park; if you are pass
ing I will join you there, and you may
answer me-"
She murmured Iaint assent, and
Harmon Hale drove away feeling sure
that he had won.
The house was so still when she
entered that she could almost hear
the beating of her own heart. With
a strange foreboding She entered the
bedroom. Her husband lay upon his
back, hands prone on the coverlet and
horrible pallor on his face. His
half open eyes were unseeing. She
sprang forward, calling his name
| charply buf he did not Stir She