Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-04-10
BY THOMAS
p. MONTFORT

crucihxiOn. She realized that to make
marriage sacred and happy there must
be mutual love. and she knew that on
her part there was none, and she felt
that the time would never come when
there would be.
Sitting alone in her room that night,
she folded her arms on the table and,
pillowing her head on them, wept as
though her heart would break. She
had known many unhappy hours, but
never any SO thoroughly miserable as
that.
She felt toward her husband as she
had never felt before. Often and often
she had experienced feeling of dis
like for some trait of his character,
but 1t was not until now that she felt
that she hated the man himself. There
had been many times when his abb
sence was relief to her, but 1t was
never until this night that she had
wished with all her heart that she
might never see him again.
That James Melvin had much to do
with her feelings she could not help
but admit. although the admission
caused her face to burn with shame.
The knowledge that another man. and
that man at that, could be the means
Of making her despise her husband was
bitterly humiliating. and she wished
with all her heart that she could dispise
Melvin as well; but, alas, that was
something she could not do.
While she sat there Sim came into
the room. 1t was late, and he had
walked two miles out into the country
and back. He was restless and uneasy
and far more unhappy than he had
ever been in all his life.
Mrs. Mann's prophecy, coupled with
the words Louisa had spoken, had
made much deeper impression on him
than he would have admitted to any
living soul, than he even liked to admit
to himself
That there was something lacking in
his married life he knew only too well,
and he had known 1t from his wedding
day, but never until now had 1t oc-
Cured to him how serious that lacking
might be. That Louisa did not love
him as a wife should he had been long
assured, but the possibility Of her low
ing another man was something that
had never crossed his mind until this
day, and the bare thought Of such
thing fell on him with crushing blow.
Great GodW he cried aloud as he
tramped the lonely country road. such
thing cannot, must not, shall not be!
It would kill me. o God, 1t would kill
mew
When he entered the room, Louisa
did not look up, and when be spoke
her name she paid no attention to him.
He waited moment, then asked her
what was the matter.
Nothing" she replied between her
sobs.
'Then what are you cryin for!s he
asked.
Nothing" she answered again.
us 1t anything I've done2" he gees
toned.
"No."
"Is it what Mary Mann said7"
@No."
'"Then what ia it1'
"Nothing."
"But it is somethin. Loueesy. You
know 1t Ia. Won't you tell me what?"
She shook her head.
"Did you hear what Mary Mann said
this evenin down there ON the streetW
he asked.
She shook her head again.
"She said you didn't love me an that
II ever you got to know that stranger
you'd love his little finger better than
you love my whole body. Do you
know what told herY'
"No."
"Well, l give her settler, guess,
for once. said, Miss Mann. you are
allyn when you say any SIGH thing
as that, an IL you was man I'D whup
you till your hide wouldn't hold
shucks.' Them's the very words said
to her, an meant 'em too"
He paused as IL expecting his wife. to
speak, but she remained silent. He
hoped that she would be pleased with
him for speaking SO strongly In her de.
tense, and he felt hurt when she took
no notice of his words. Presently he
went on. saying:
"Them was hard things you said
about me down there today, Loueesy,
an I'd never "a thought you'd a. done
1t. guess, though, you didn't mean 1t,
did your
she osked IN turn
"No Of course notn
.sThen you'd better No, sk such onoa.
+,ona" $50
"You did mean II +hanw
She hesitated n moment then said.
ar hadn't meant n womidn,t
have said Il. Now hone you're sat.
isfied."
Sim was thouchtfullv silent for al.
most minute. Then he said slowlv.'
, Know !. was coWalaly Tor me 70
as.+,a ~. 49, 1e.. u I'LL. .'om 'nell
: ~ 49,. ~. u ns..; now wa. ..
INV 'nS w1s s".. S.eau VI