Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-03-12

"Cne dag" said Elsie slowly, when
was beginning to love Clarence so
that my heart sang of him all the time.
l was walking on Broadway and had
stopped to look in at n jewelers. win.
dow And l glanced up, and Clarence
was coming down the street with that
doctorr'
"The one who attended you in Phil
adelphia?"
YES" said Elsie. "They were laugh
ing and talking together, and shranll
into doorway and died of shame as
they passed. Suppose they had seen
met"
II think no harm would have come of
it." said Brenda.
Suppose married Clarence and we
should meet him them"
But, my dear" exclaimed Brenda
take the widest possible supposition
Say that this doctor believed the worst
ana told 1t to Clarence and lived to
hqish the story, which unless he is
Samson reincarnated is not possible, it
would make no difference. Unless Clar-
ence can believe you absolutely against
every other voice in the world, you
don't want to marry him anyway"
You don't know men," said Elsie.
shaking her head. zone little doubt,
and there is misery for lifetime.
heard Clarence speak once of woman
who had gone wrong. 1t frightened my
bones until they turned to dust in my
body"
"But, Elsie, you haven't done any
wrong" pleaded Brenda. "You were
cruelty deceived
II no more than the Others" replied
Elsie. every woman who goes wrong
Is deceived, or there would be no wrong.
The point is, Brenda, that that is not
the way to get married. No really good
girl ever does such a thing. should
have had my mother and my friends to
see me make my VOW. That is the only
right way; your way, Brenda, the way
Of your world. And, besides, 1 haven't
told you all. am really his WIFE"
What do you mean"
Ellis wife from whom he was sepa-
rated was abroad at the time,h said
Elsie. "She died two days before my
marriage. That's why l called him
my husband all the way through the
story"
Brenda was speeches. for some sec
onds before the spectacle of this fatal
ity.
II don't see that that makes it any
WORSE" she said at last. Better, i
should say. Such a marriage can be
easily annulled. 1t does not even re-
quire divorce"
ut requires legal proceedings" said
Elsie. ut means publicity and brand
Ing. 1t means that Clarence Alden's
wife will be marked as woman with
past, with romantic scandal attach
ed to her name. 1t would be bad
enough, Brenda, for him to marry me
anyway, but an actress, with that
story fastened to her! Well, you know
what all the world would say. No;
would rather die. I would rather he
should never know. I'd lie to him,
Brenda, II necessary-I have lied to
him. as you are aware-rather than he
should think me the sort of girl who,
VI q haStJ acquaintance Will u I1lAu
about whom she knows nothing, would
run away to strange city, trusting to
luck to be married there"
Brenda kissed Elsie's hand again
very tenderly.
"I'll tell you what, my DEAR" said
she; "the fact is that you have brooded
ever this matter until you are not quite
sane about it really mean what /
say. Now, this is my advice to you:
Tell Mr.. Alden this story just as soon
as you're strong enough to do it and"-
Elsie gripped her hand hard.
II have told you this in confidence"
she said. GIVE me your solemn word
that you will never breathe one sylla-
BILE of it; that you will help me in ev-
cry way to conceal 1t! Promise!'
"The word and honor of one who
loves you, Elsie" Brenda answered.
"Whatever you wish will do"
you are SO good to mep said Elsie,
letting her head sink back into the pill
lows.
"There is one thing more" said Bren-
da. "Did he, your husband, strike this
blow?"
Don't ask me that" cried Elsie. "I
can never tell you how got this
wound. Think what a frightful bur
den that knowledge would be to you If
should die"