Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1901-05-30

promise 10 wait. and, In time, when
| there shall bc no disgrace attached,
marry hcr2 I'll leave her good settle
mcnts and give you "A clear ficld-any-
thing To avoid the elopcment you sug-
gosted last night"
Your generosity merits more
worthy subject" said Harrington.
flushing. 81 am afraid you don't I'M
derstand that"
"Im not doing II for YOU" inter
posed the merchant, "but for her. How
man who processes to love n woman
can seek 10 bring shame. and, conse-
quently, unhappincss. upon her sur
passes my understanding. I'd like to
kill you-but where would be the
gain2 The mischief Is done, and am
not the man to hold wife whose
heart Is given 90 another. IA said,
shall go away and leave you the
Geld"
There was a minutes silence, lIar-
rington haughtily watching the elder
man, who continued earnestly! Tf
only knew you would be kind TO her.
| Harrington, and make her happy
Helen is good and true-I'd stake
everything ON her honor-aud she isn't
10 blame because | am not attractive
enough 10 hold her love. How could
she be expected to keep ON caring for
me, when fascinating. unprinciplcd
men Of leisure. like you, have the in
side track? She's not 20 blame, say,
because she doesn't love me ass she
used 90 do" And the merchant voice
grew soft as his eyes took on a far
away look.
"Shc was only eighteen when we
were married" he resumed: "only
eighteen and ! was nearly forty. but
we were very happy am sure she
would tell you We were happy. Such
dear little home keeper as she was
not the woman Of fashion and society
, that she IL now. and her husband
meant more TO her In those days.
There's nothing like financial success
to make n failure OF home life. II we
had remained poor, affairs might have
been different" And "A dry sob rose In
the merchants throat.
1T would have been different. too, n
the babies had lived he went on.
How happy We were over the first one
such wonderful little fellow. We
thought himl Even now / seem 90 feel
her tears upon my cheek and the
touch OF her soft face against mine as
she crcpt into my arms for comfort
when he was taken from "a. Some
times. when she can't help IL, she will
think Of the lost little ones and of
I their father. When she does, Harring-
ton, hope YOU will comfort her"
, IL was Harrington now who was
. drumming on the window. As ne
made no reply the merchant contin-
. ucd rcminiNccntly; How brayely she
: nursed me through the fcyer-'twns
r her care. the doctors said. that saved
. me and how delighted she was When
I sat 10y the window for the first time
Perhaps II | had worked less 20 pro
! vide her with Injuries and more a.
. keep her affection she might have
#. cared for me still"
-Havc YOU informed your wife oi
4 your decision 90 nbscond and give her
r freedom" asked Harrington. without
. turning. docs the plan meet heI
r APPROVAL"
4. 1.-THE fact h., shc doesn't know II
. or that / have any suspicion OF las
nights dcuuucment. To tell you th'
b. truth / hnycu't--I'd rather not hear
her confess that have become MOTH
b.. ing TO her. Even though l know sh'
D.. loves YOU I'd rather not hear her say
; so. take the $3.50 tonight and shall
4 leave without seeing her again.
I, trust YOU will carry out my wishes
I'M regard 60 the marriage and comfort
=. my wife in the hour OF her descrtion.
and the merchant laughed harshly.
n Evidently" said Harrington, turn
r ing toward him. you did not hear al
p Of last evenings denoucmcnt as yo'
a call H. You must have retired from
the scene before the finale
4 yes" answered the merchant. ="
p Glanced upon you accidentally and
rs man OF honor. heard and saw n'
more than was inevitable before
could escape You were planning !
trip te-was Il Venice when | with
drew"
"No- planninr-it takes two 70
that" explained Harrington, land 70
! your sake | am glad 10 say that las
Al nights unfortunate crisis was entire
IN IA onc-sidcd. love your wifc-you
z loving her. too, can perhaps under
stand why-and last night as yo'
know. | rashly proclaimed my devo
Il ton. / took her unawares, SURPRISED
\ her with my avowal. and forced m
n kisses upon her. alone was responS'
n ble for the scene OF which you wer
= u witness"
z "And Helen" demanded the meI
chant, hoarscly. isn't she-doesn'
y she care"
"Not for me-" answered Harrington
81 leave tonight for the west and
may he scoundrel as you say, bu
yonr wife is n true woman and-lovc
- YOU. Let me leave you this ms proc
- Of her devotion" and handing tn
!. merchant n note Harrington hastil
Iaft the room.