Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1901-11-02


in him far greater than the ordinary in
terest bestowed by solicitor upon his
client Surprised beyond all measure,
he calculated slowly:
"A deed of separation! My dear sir,
you cannot be speaking seriously
Il wish to Heaven | was speaking in
Jest Look at me and tell me if seem
as one who jokes
His face was drawn, white and hag-
gard. 1t did not require the experienced
eye of the man of law, grown learned in
the devious ways of humanity, to per-
ceive that his client was on the border
line of despair, and he therefore said, in
a kind and encouraging tone:
Perhaps the facts are not as bad as
they appear to you. | have known many
persons come to me as you have come
to seek such separation, and after little
comfortable chat, | have been able to
persuade them that in cases of this kind
it is better, far better, to forgive and 10
forget
Ensor shook his head
Do not misunderstood me-" he said
quietly There is little in my wife that
needs forgiveness, and doubtless she
would tell you the same thing regarding
me. Neither OF us has committed any
special wrong. 1t is simply question of
incompatability of temper. The wrong
man married the wrong woman. That
is all"
Then nothing that | say can bring
you to change your mind?' asked the
other man, gravely.
Nothing that you can say or do, Mr..
Oldborough, well-meaning and kind as
you always are-can cause me or my
wife TO abate our resolution one jot.
Come, let us cease this purposeless con-
versation and come to business. | re-
quire a deed of separation drawn up at
once"
in that case" returned Mr. Oldbor-
ough, sadly, there is no alternative left
me but to accede to your wishes"
He then drew sheet of paper to-
wards him, and took down the details of
the document, all of which details Ensor
dictated in firm voice.
When will the deed be ready for sig
naturc?' asked the latter, as he rose to
quit the Office.
Il will have it prepared this afternoon,
and, if you choose, / will call at your
house to obtain the signatures next Mon
day morning
Ensor bowed.
Good" he said promptly con Mon
day morning you will find my wife and
myself waiting to receive you"
A moment later he was passing rap
idly down the grimy stairs of the Inn,
whilst the lawyer stood regarding him
with a mournful expression.
His mind is made up" he pondered,
"and only Heaven itself can change him
now"
The week wore to its end Sunday
came and went, and the fateful Monday
dawned.
All was ready for Olives departure.
Her clothes, jewclry and other belong
ings had been packed, and quiet lodgings
had been found for her, pending more
permanent arrangements. Nothing re-
NAMED now but to sign the deed of
separation, and then-good- bye
A hanson drew up at the gate, and
Mr.. Oldborough alighted, carrying
small bag.
He greeted the silent couple with sol
emn kindness. Taking each one aside,
he asked whether, even at this late hour:
a reconciliation might not be contem-
plated but the answer which he received
from husband and wife convinced him
that his good-naturcd words had fallen
on barren soil Controlling the sigh
which trembIed on his breath, he open
ed his bag and produced the deed which
was to separate this man and this wo-
man." who, seven years before, had
stood at Gods altar and sworn to love
and cherish each other for better for
worse until death should intervene.
Death had rot interviewed, but for all
that separation was at hand-a few more
minutes, and all would be done.
A pause ensued There was form
atty to be gone through before the sign
ing of the deed. The solicitor explained
it would be necessary that the marriage
certificate should be produced, and that
the date and number of registration
should be transferred from that certi-
ficate to the present document.
Fetch the deed, Olive, if you please"
said Ensor to his wife. Il think it is
locked away in your drawer"
She obeyed. During her absence no
word was spoken for few minutes.
Then Mr.. Oldborough said, more for the
sake of breaking the awkward silence
than for any other reason:
"Mrs. Ensor is long time gone, is
she not?"
perhaps she has had some. difficulty
in opening the drawer" responded En-
sor mechanically. Il know that it has
not been touched for years"
They waited in quiet patience, and
presently the door opened and Olive en-
tered. She carried in one hand the mar
riage certificate and in the other small
wooIlen object.
What was it? 1t seemed to Mr.. Old
borough that it was baby's shoe.
Olives face had changed. All the dull