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

ing at the doctor beside my bed, and
glancing up l saw that the doctor was
staring Mt him.
You! said the doctor, and he took
three strides out of the room, my hus-
band backing away as the other ad-
vanced.
"They whispered together; they
thought could not hear. But, Brenda,
would have heard them If they had
been in New York.
She says you were married this
afternoon said the doctor. How is
thatg
"'Who in the DEVILS name called you
inT demanded my husband. Where
did you come from?'
This Is state prison business
said the doctor, without Winding the
questions. You are living legally
separated from your wife, but you are
not divorced, and you never will be by
your own consent for her father is
paying you to behave yourself
There has been no marriage here
said my husband. Don't say any
thing. This is mere freak of mine.
I'll make 1t right with you If you'll
keep quiet
"'You lie,' said the doctor, and then,
Am too late to save herT
MY husband answered Yes Brenda,
how Is 1t possible for human being
to utter falsehood like that? was
no more to him than you are except
that 10 10 hn
lbs wife. And the doctor looked him
in the eyes moment and then struck
him across the face with the back of
his open hand and went out of the
room.
MY husband came to the curtains
and looked in; then he approached the
bed, and 1 groaned us loud rs could.
At that he seemed to lose his wits. He
ran around the room aimlessly and at
last snatched his hat from the floor
and rushed out. suppose he was 60
ing for another doctor.
when he was gone, invented an
errand and sent the woman away. Then
got up and dressed. I don't know
how 1t was possible for me to do II,
but seemed to be as light as feath-
er. got out Of the hotel easily enough
and took cab to the railroad station.
had not money enough for sleeper,
SO rode In day coach all the way to
New York, but my mind was in a
thousand places, and some of them
were beautiful, and was happy there,
and again was in terror and pain.
when left the train at Jersey City,
my head was bursting upon my Shout
ders and the air was fire. Honestly,
Brenda, when the ferryboat ran into
the slip on this side, thought it was
lhe mouth of the internal regions. 1t
looked like great cave full of flames
and 1t seemed that was being crushed
and thrust into 1t. Yet 1 must have
had some part Of my senses, for
found cab and gave the driver my
address. And SO came home from
my wedding journey, Brenda. let
myself in with my key, and the people
In the house never knew that had
been away that night. They found
me Ill and got doctor for me, and be-
fore the day was over l was nearly
well. The doctor said must have eat
en- some sort Of thing-what do they
call it, always think Of tomatoes"
'Ptomaines," said Brenda. "Oh, you
poor child; you poor, wretched, lucky
little Elsie! am SO glad, so glad"
"Would you believe" said Elsie,
"that that man tried to get my heart
back again, to plead his cause with me?
Well, he did, and, though had peace
for quite long time, of late 1 have
been much annoyed by him. You can
understand now why Clarence Alden's
love was torture to me. why = well,
why bought the picture of Tantalus
to look at. Brenda. Oh, love him, I
love him SO much! The feast Of the
heart that I can never have! He is
everything want, Brenda"
But why in the name of all martyr
dom should you hesitate to tell this sto-
ry to him" exclaimed Brenda. "What
bar can 1t be to your marriageT