Smyrna times., 1901-07-03
A DEED OF
SEPARATION.

orouSh-well- and kind
as you always are-can cause or nv
wife to abate our resolution one lot.
Come, let us cease this purposeless con-
versation, and come to business. I
require deed of separation drawn up
at once"
I'm that case," returned Mr.. Old
borough sadly, there is no alternative
left me but to accede to your wishes"
He then drew sheet of paper toward
him, and took down the details of the
document, all of which details Ensor
dictated in firm tone.
"When will the deed be ready for
signature?" asked the latter, as herose
to quit the office.
II will have it prepared this after
noon, and, if you choose, will call at
your house to obtain the signatures
next Monday morning"
Ensor bowed.
Good" he said promptly. "On
Monday morning you will find my wife
and myself waiting to receive YOU"
A moment later he was passing rap
idly down the grimly stairs of the Inn,
whilst the lawyer stood regarding him
with mournful expression.
'His mind is made up" he pom
dered, "and only heaven itself can
change HIM now"
The week wore to an end. Sunday
came and went, and the fatefnI Mon
day dawned.
A hanson drew up at the gate, and
Mr.. Oldborough alighted, carrying a
small bag.
He greeted the silent couple with
solnmn kindness. Taking each one
aside, he asked whether, even at this
late hour, a reconciliation might not
be completed. but the answer he re-
ceived from husband and wife con-
vinced him that his good-natured
words had fallen on barren soil.
There was formality to be gone
through before the signing of the
, deed. The solicitor explained it would
be necessary that the marriage certif.
cate should be produced, and the date
and number of registration should be
transferred from that certificate to the
} present document.
"Fetch the deed, Olive, if you please,
said Ensor to his wife. 81 think it i.
locked away in your drawer"
: She obeyed. During her absence ne
word was spoken for few minutes
Then NJ. OIdborough said, more foi
the sake of breaking the awkward
1 silence than for any other reason:
Mrs. Ensor is long time gone, i.
she not?"
9 perhaps she has had some difficult,
in opening the drawer" responde,
b Ensor mechanically. 81 know it ha
not been touched for years"
They waited in quiet patience, an
=" presently the door opened and Oliv
n entered. She carried In one hand tn
IL marriage certificate and in the other
u small wooden object.
st What was it? 1t seemed to Nj
It Oldborough that it was a baby's shoe
n Olives face had changed. All th
g dull resentment had gone out of he
eyes; light shone in them that ha
J. not shone there for many, many wear
months. There were many tears upo
le her cheeks as she approached her hui
IS band and said brokenly:
IS Jack. Do yon remember tn
I'd shoe?"
ge Jack Ensor turned away to conce
his emotion.
E. cit was our child's shoe," he r
piled huskily.
IL Eyes. 1t lay in my drawer besiC
re the certificate.
For the man and woman who stoC
close to each other in that supreme m
h ment, the room faded, and memO
in took each of them back to certa
al gray dawn, five years ago, when th'
IN had stood at a certain beside, and ov
a dead child's face had renewed t
a. old, old vows of love and Tenderness
- That child's face was before them nc
Mt those baby lips were pleading in pa
he sionate fervor. bidding husband al
wife to put aside ancient bitternt
;aI and clasp hands in friendship on
nd more.
ne Mr.. Oldborough, with wonderf
nd tact, took in the situation at once. Wi
10. quick movement he grasped the de
no of separation and vanished from t
room, whilst smile of deep gratifi'
tion lit his benevolent face.
\" And when, some ten minutes lat
gal he glided gently into the apartme
Iv. Olive was in her husbands arms.
4 i