The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-08-29
a SILENT WITNESS.


Jim. we've been friends for good
many years. haven't We, old boy. and
you know I have your best interest at
Sure, Tom, sure. You and Dick Wal
/ ford have been two such friends as
man is seldom blest Without why this
! outburst?v
Yes, we used to think Dick was about
/ 1t in the old college days. but hang it.
man. he's been gone for the last ten
\ OF twelve years. and 1 tell YOU fellow
| has time 10 change in that length of
| time
What are you driving at. Tom; don't
you think Dick IS just square?'
Promise you won't knock me down,
jim, and I viii tell you what mean"
For heavens sake. speak, and
/ don t.
wei. jim, it's just this: You know
! as well as I what a deucedIy sweet
woman your wife is. and-you know
| Dick had q pretty free run of your
home since your return-and-you know
your time is so taken up with business
that you don't have much time TO spend
with your wife, and you are older than
ne and not so much given TO the lar-da-da
act as he is. and the best of women like
20 be paid attention-fact is, I've heard
one or two things at the club, and it
hurt, old boy; hurt as much as If il had
with me for speaking. are you, Jim2"
God bless you, Tom, of course I'm
not; but all this is stun-why, I'd wager
my life on my wifes faithfulness, and
Dick-why Dick is just like younger
brother, and dOtes on music as much as
club fellows are jealous OF hlm?"
But although Jim Payson tried again
and again TO put the whole affair from
his mind, nevertheless ii would persist in
returning, until he found himself think
ing what if"
BY Jove. I'll find out how things are
he said to himself at last, and that
night when he went home he carried a
mysterious package under his arm. which
he deposited for the time in the stable.
That evening he watched his friend and
his wife from under his haIf-clOsed eye
lids. ard was il his imagination that
Dick was over attentive to his wife, and
once when he handed her book he saw
his fingers close over hers for an in
slant. and saw that the act brought the
blood to her face, also a frown.
When all had retired that night and
the lower part Of the house was deserted
and silent. he crept down and brought in
to the house the package he had brought
home with him. lie undid the wrap
pings and carefully concealed the box
and contents under the draped couch in
q
These IS hours of misery, from the time
he placed the box there till the time he
silently drew It forth and carried it 10 his
Office again, he never forgot.
He sent for his friend, and when he
entered the office exclaimed: For God's
sake, Tom, help me through with this
set that machine going and let me learn
the worst
His friend comprehended at a glance
what it all meant as soon as he saw
the photograph, and with trembling
fingers the talking machine was set in
motion, and then the two men sat side
by side with white faces and listened.
First came the tinl1ling notes of piano
and then the silvery tones of a wOman's
voice, his wife's, fioated out sweet and
clear. 1t was a love song. and when the
refrain was reached a rich tenor voice
they both recognized Joined the woman.
What a silly song" the womans voice
remarked as the song was ended.
No, not So" they heard Dick Wal
ford's voice reply, for it might. have
been the expression of the poets heart !
even as they are in mIne-Mrs. Payson-
Edith can keep silent no longer; the
love I have for you must find express
sion, even as you must have seen il in |
every glance-in my every action. Come !
to me, my darling; leave him who is too
busy to value the priceless treasure he |
possesses, and come to me, who viii al !
Ways
"SilenceT
Could that be the voice of the gentle /
woman Jim Payson knew his wife to 4
be that now rang out INTO the room from /
the mouth of the photograph,
Stand back, you miserable, black /
hearted coward. Are you mad that you
dare TO utter such words and such lies {
to me- 1 know that my husband does (
love me- and his little finger is more TO I
me than your whole miserable body,
What kind Of a thing can you be to Z
take such cowardly advantages of his
kindness to YOU.
But. Edith-listen-'
Hush, and never dare let my name
rest upon your lips again. Now go, go.
go, and never let my eyes look upon your
jetestable face again!"
That was all, and there were tears
In the eyes Of both men as they sprang 10
their feet and clasped hands and muir
INJURED, Thank GOdi'
That night when Jim Payson went
home he had two tickets for the opera
and dozen American Beauty roses for
his wife.-BOston Post.