West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1902-06-26

I
en- She burst out into wild sob
bling. II couldn't. But he was angry.
Oh. he made II hard for me to do my
duty to her! ] almost went mad my
SELL l gave up everything. and there
was so much work. could not have
/ even one servant. could not bear that
any one should know. She was nv
mother, my dear. faithful mother! MY
heart has bled night and day, but
have done my duty by her. He has
made IL hard for me. but II has been
hard for him too. He does not see Il In
the right light. He loves me SO tender
~ that he feels my duty Is to him only.
There has been trouble between us be-
cause OF 1t. Have you not seen that he
looks ill.,
I'VE have seen that" interrupted
Mrs. Hostetter deliberately. "He looks
mighty Ill. Most men would-to get
anonymous letters a-tcllin 'em that
their wife hung out birdcages on the
right side OF doors aud that then men
come a-sneakin there
"Oh, surely" said Mrs. Mayhew.
gazing at her with wide, fascinating
eyes. mo one would be so cruel! Why,
he knew all about II. He is In the
house now. And, then, to hurt him
with such n letter. TO let him know
that l was suspected! And he never
told me! lie bore that, too, for my
sake, In silencew
"Oh, he's I'm the house now, Is hep,
cried Mrs. Dean In her shrIll staccato.
You'd like us TO believe that, would
you? You'd like to make us believe he
knows all about the man you've got
hid som'crs here now''
Nothing would make us believe
your husband is I'm this house now but
seein him In the flesh and blood" said
Mrs. Hostettcr solemnly. "May the
Lord have mercy on You for sinful
woman! Your only hope OF salvation
is to make full confession OF your
sins. Bring out the partner OF your
guilt? she exhorted I'm n lond voice.
Bring him out and let him suffer the
, awful effects OF his secret sin! Moth
In can save either OF you but bein
purged with fire. Mebbe you think IL
was pleasant fer us TO come here and
be insultcd? We've done our duty like
Christian women. and we're ready to
leave IL all TO the Lord. Bring out tho
T, partner OF your guilt''-
| Her voice faltered. The door of an
inner room had opened. A young man
came slowly toward them.
Not greatly like triumphant lover
looked he. He was pale and haggard.
The three women started and grasped
hold OF one another convulsively. He
faced them with an aIr of desperation.
You want TO know who I amp he
said. shed die or lose her reputation
forever before she'd tell you, but I'll
tell yon. I'm her brother, the son of
her mother. live In n hut up I'm the
forest. and l don't dare TO show my
wretched face TO man. I'm an escaped
convict from the penitentiary. where
went for forgery. was guilty too. 1t
is my fault that my old mother sits
there In bed gibbering idiot. II is my
fault that this awful burden is on my
sister. Yet twice n week for months
she has been letting me come here be-
cause my mother knows me and Is
calmed by my presence. Only an angel
would have chung to such an abandon.
ed wretch as am and tried to make a
man OF him. She has never once re-
i Will yet be n man. Her husband,
modest ladies. knows all about my
coming. The birdcage was not hung
out to Inform me that he was not mt
home. but that none OF her kindly In
terested neighbors was making an aft
ernoon visit. Since you have known OF
my visits for six months | am almost
stunned with wonder that you did not
drop In before. marvel, In fact, that
you did not take up your bed and board
In this unhappy home. Your delicate
self repression fills me with admira-
ton"
He paused for second, In absolute
need OF breath. When he spoke again.
a glance Mt his sisters face. which
showed signs OF deep suffering, bad
changed his look and tone. We'll" lie
said deliberately. you have invaded
the sacredDcss OF my sisters home
YOU have wormed out her sorrowful
secrets. You have tried TO estrange
her husband from her. You have
bounded down guilty, repentant
wretch who had nothing left but to he
near his mother and sister, whose lives
he bad ruined and who must now start
out again on his lonely wandering with
no place in which to lay his head. You
belong 10 the church. You cnll your
selves Christians. Are these the things
Christ taught you TO do? Are these
Hey. hey" cried the old creature on
the bed Whats all this fuss aboutY'
She pccred at them with dreadful eyes.
The pupils were like little blue black
bullets. why don't you give 'em a
cheer7 They don't look like ladies. but
| give 'em cheer anyhow"
And now" concluded the young
nan. walking TO the door OF the inner
room and throwing II open. my sis
ter's husband will say few words TO
you. and then we will regretfulIy per
nit you to depart"
| When the three women became con
vinced that Il was really Mr.. Mayhew
who was entering, their faces were
things TO behold and remember Mrs.
Frazer confessed afterward that she
had "giddy feelin, as II she'd let all
holts CO." The very carpet itself went
up and down IN waves under her Mrs.
Dean shrank back against the wall for
support. Mrs. Hostetter's fine fighting
feathers dropped. but she stood her
ground braveiy.
Mr.. Mayhem advanced and stood be-
side his wife. He was pale and worn
looking He spoke In quiet. even tones.
II have heard oil that my wife said,
' n offhourh oho .fff ,.nt ...,.... r.. -. a.