Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1901-10-31
CHAPTER XIV.
HuInpy Jacks Discovery.

Shirley Austin's first step was to go
directly to the office of his friend. DR..
Bethune. 1t had, inieed, been his in
tention to do SO on the previous night,
but the bitterness of his disappointment
in being refused an interview with
Clarice had put 1t out of his thoughts.
lie was shown at once into the doc
tors private office, where he found his
friend, but not-as he at first thought
alone.
A lady was seated at a little distance,
but her face was turned away so that
he failed to recognize Ter.
At the first sound of his voice, how
ever, she started, rose quickly and came
toward him. Her face was very pale
and she was visibly agitated, but he
recognized her instantly. and he re-
coiled as If from the advance of a dead
ly reptile.
Forgive me-forgive mel cried
Adele Lingard. you must forgive me.
l have come all the way from Australia
to beg your forgiveness and his'-turn-
ing toward DIR. Bethune. Frank hasn't
refused me, though I fear he loves me
no more, and / injured him even worse
than / did you. oh, Mr.. Austin, have
pity on mel See--I am kneeling at
your feet. Forgive mel"
DIR. Bethupe was at her side, and had
raised her from the floor, and now sup
ported her with his arm, even while she
spoke.
you will forgive my wife, Shirley"
he said, in a low tone, while Adele, 500
hing convulsively, hid her face on his
shoulder.
.Your wife?' repeated Shirley, in
| credulously.
Yes; we were married this morn
ing" continued DR.. Bethune. "When i
returned yesterday / found Adele and
her father awaiting me. They both
wished ii. i car say no more. You
know she is the only woman / have
ever loved. or ever could love, and you
may remember my conviction that she
would yet come to me, and my theory
that such love as hers for you was but
a temporary insanity. and to be borne
with patiently, like other forms of ma
MIA. j will not say that my love for
Adele Is quite what II was, but / be-
lieve her when h a. that she really
loves me now. And we are going TO try
to make each other happy"
Adele looked up with a grateful smile,
while a deep blush overspread her face
when her eyes first met those of Shir-
ley.
She put her hand up with a shy, gen.
tie caress to her husbands cheek, and
then dropped her head again upon his
shoulder.
Shirley turned away with an almost
contemptuous shrug. He was inclined
to be disgusted with his friend, and did
not u to inquire how he he would
have behaved under similar circum-
stances. Such a thought would have
seemed absurd, since Clarice could do
no wrong. and, therefore. could never
require forgiveness.
You won't refuse to forgive my
wife?' DR.. Bethune repeated, reproach-
fully.
But his friend had made no answer
TO that question.
II my life TO you. Frank. You
know I can refuse you nothing Shir-
ley answered, with considerable feeling
II do forgive this laGy-at least / viii
do so when I nave forgotten my own
suffering; and I nope soon to be happy
enough, TO forget past misery. But I
came to consult you alone and ask your
advice"
DR. Bethune lei his wife To the door
and gently babe her leave them for a
while.
As soon as the door had closed after
her he turned to Shirley.
1T suppose you despise me. old fel.
low" he said. gaily. but / am too hap,
by to care even for that. True love is
wholly unselfish. and is above caring
for what others think"
IT despise no man for owing truly.
however mistakenly" returned Shirley.