News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1902-10-01
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:: A Woman OF - - =
By WILL
N. H A r B E N
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outside. Mrs. Murray then became the
cynosure of all eyes. Her face had tax
en- on a logged, defiant look, and she
sneered and tossed her head as the
back of her husband turned on her
She rose before any one else and
started out of the church. Her steI
had never been so firm, her carriage
never more erect.
AS she approached Jason Bates, who
sat alone on the end of a bench some
what removed from any of the others,
she said in an undertone:
81 want to talk to you. l need adj
vice"
mot here" he said, the tender light
of pity softening his expression.
Eyes, here" she repeated firmly and
yet pettishly "Tell me quickly, must
l confess?"
He rose and led her toward the door
to avoid the moving crowd.
''It seems to me you have already
confessed" ne said, with a sneer 81
did not think you could be so foolish"
81 thought you too good a lawyer to
reproach a client for what was already
done, and done in passion" she re-
! torted.
He bit his lip 81 forget to be bust
nesslike where you are concerned, and
you know why"
She shrugged her shoulder impatient
ly and cast a side glance at the nearest
Of the approaching congregation.
"Will they believe Mrs. Wittekind"
she asked.
"They certainly Will" he replied.
"What do you think my husband will
do?" she questioned, laying her hand
on his arm in her eagerness to catch
his reply.
"That depends on the hold you have
on him." And the sheer returned to
the face of the lawyer. IF the bonds
were of perfect trust in you, then he
may break them. He looks like a weak
man."
She looked out of the door and saw
the preacher standing alone under the
trees, Mrs. Wittekind having left him
and gone homeward.
"He is waiting for me-" Mrs. Muir
ray said. 81 must 60"
Bates detained her. His eyes were
searchlights of admiration which were
diving into the despairful depths Of
her own.
Tell me one thing" he pleaded
tell me why you married him. You
knew that wanted you; that | would
have taken sou at moments notice"
You knew my bad side" she said,
with a slrug Il wanted to forget it,
get away from it. | wanted to be
loved ideally, il a higher way. But
but"-her voice sank lOWer-"I have
longed for you thousand times since
married him and since | began this
awful fight and found him only "a
child. Instead Of having a husband |
gould lean On and empty my heart to,
have had to deceive him also. had
to act a part awake and asleep. My
God, l could not bear it! 1t was kill
ing me!'
Poor girl" said Bates to himself as
he saw her walk out and join her hus-
band. She is Il wonderful woman-
wonderful"'
On the way home Tabitha overlook
her sister.
What did he have to sayW she
asked eagerly.
He said" replied Mrs. Wittekind,
that since his marriage his life has
been one Of constant turmoil. The poor
boy is as wishy washy as a kitten. She
has tried to influence him to say spite
full things about certain folks in his
sermons an tried to make him think
the whole world was as bad as she is.
It's awful"
The next morning Mrs. Murray left
her home by a gate in the rear of her
garden and made her way through an
unfrequented street to the Office of
Lawyer Bates. He was alone and rose
as she came to the door.
81 want to see you," she said.
"Sit down." he said, removing his
broad brimmed hat and bowling.
For a moment she regarded him ST.
lently and then said suddenly:
'He has gone"
The lawyer smiled grimly.
81 knew it. l heard he had slept at
the hotel last night, and l thought the
first train would take him away. He
has little strength of character
81 should think not to desert me So"
Bates became analytical "a man of
his stamp" he said, will do that ev-
cry time in an emergency. We tried
them during the war. When he mar
ried you, he thought it would be
smooth sailing, but he has met with
squalls"
The woman Strengthened in her chair.
81 came to ask your legal advice"
she said tartly.
"All right. Go ahead. 1 am at your
service"
81 want to know if have grounds
for divorce"
THAT depends on his treatment of
you. What did he say on your return
home yesterdayW
absolutely nothing, and an hour
later | caught him in his study crying.
Think of that-a man cry"-
"a boyw corrected Bates. Manhood
is never under thirty"
The woman shrugged her shoulders,