The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1903-12-17
MINIAT RE



The Reverend Houghton flung down
his pen and threw himself back In his
chair utterly weary and despondent-
Its all Of no use, he said. aloud. Il
can deceive myself no longer; have
neither hearl nor inclination for the
work"
Outside he could just see the girlish
figure Of his wife, half hidden in the
folds OF a large hammock il which
she was reclining; then, as II she had
heard him. the words Of a hymn she
was singing fell in apt reproof upon
his ear
The sweet voice died away. and in
expression OF sadness came over the
bright up.urned face. he had listened
breathlessiy while she sang. for he
loved her with a depth OF feeling
amounting almost to idolatry; and yet.
although she was his wife. she was as
a stranger to him. She had opposed
their marriage till the very day on
which K had been solemnized, but he
had not known IL until the ceremony
was over-then. with burning cheeks
and dark defiant eyes. she had told
him plainly that she hated him.
The revelation made. Cecel had
swept scornfully out Of the room. and
left her husband with his bright
dream OF love and happiness shat
tered. Six months had passed, and
during all tat time. they had lived
together az mere strangers, treating
each other with rigid politeness when
the demands OF social life or church
work required them to be present to-
gether at some entertainment OF meet.
ing.
As he sat looking az her now and
noted the sad expression on her face
he longed 10 go to her, but he dared
not. Then Strengthening himself. he
took up hls pen again, and resolved
that for her sake he would persevere.
Before he began again he glanced once
more at her, and started to his feet,
tor large tears were standing in her
eyes, and she was trying to look
through their binding brightness at a
miniature which she held in her hand.
He wondered vaguely whose it was.
and a spasm OF Jealousy smote him
as be saw her press Il psssionateiy to
Lcr lips and then place Il Ia her bosom.
He turned away-the pen fell unheed-
ed from his hand. and his resolve was
completely forgotten In an agony OF
dispair he threw himself on a couch.
worn out as he was. from loEs Of sleep
and long nervous strain, his eyes
gradually closed. and his troubles were
drowned In oblivion. II was evening
when he awoke. He tried to recollect
how he came 70 be sleeping there at
such an hour. when a suppressed sob
at the foot Of the couch caused him to
look IN that direction. There. crouch
ed upon the floor. was Cecel. instant.
ly the events OF the morning came
crowding 10 his mind: but instead Of
scorn OF anger. he felt only pity fof
his wife. He determined that some
how. IA some way. she should be free;
he despised those who sought divorces,
and never before had he been able 10
imagine any case which might be con
sidered pardonable; but 1t was differ
ent in their case; she was his lawful
wife to be sure. but more than that
sne was not. and she must be free-cs
free as before her marriage-he would
tell her--teli her now--but, o heaven.
what q sacrifice!
''Cecel"
She started 10 her feet with a cry.
20 Nell, are you awake at last?a Her
face was flushed with crying and
tears stood in her eyes and dampened
her cheeks. She had never called him