Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-10-22
Secret 81
the Desk


The story ended, Mrs. Cameron laid
aside her book and assumed a position
Of careless repose. A smile played
about the corners Of her mouth and the
whole expression of her face showed
that she was a truly happy and con-
tented wife. The merry crackle of the
logs in the fireplace was fitting ac-
compartment to her day dreams. This
harmony, however, was soon interrupt
y ed by a sound as Of loOsening boards.
Quickly turning on the light and fol-
lowing with her eye the direction of
the noise, she discovered that her hus-
bands writing desk. which stood near
the fireplace, was becoming disjointed.
Fully understanding in this incident the
philosophy of heat, she was not sur
!, prised when @ moment later the side Of
the desk nearest the fire fell to the floor.
One article only dropped from the
desk-a photograph. Picking 1t up.
much to her surprise she recognized the
features of her old school chum. Nellie
Vincent, an orphan living with her aunt
in distant state.
How came Nellies photograph in my
husbands possession" she thought.
Can there be a secret attachment be-
tween them" She glanced into the
merry eyes of the girl in the photo,
then shifted her gaze to the mirror OPP
posite. $50 this is my rival" she went
on, with hard little laugh as the beau
tiful brown eyes shot a look of mingled
scorn and regret at the face of the wo-
man she could never more call friend.
IFS this the way she repays me for my
Kindness in inviting her here last sum-
mer after her bereavement? And he
has deceived me! Oh. Richard, 1
thought I was all the world to you!
But now l can recall several times late
ly when you have acted indifferently-
yes, even coldly.'
Just then well-knoWn steps were
heard in the hall and the troubled wo-
man had only time to put the photo
graph back into the desk and smooth
her ruffied hair when her husband en-
tered the room.
40 Mr.. Cameron bestowed his usual
kiss upon his wife she almost allowed
herself to imagine that the caress be-
tokened heart still fond and true. But
the photograph? No, he had assumed
an unusual kindness of late because he
pitied her and wished as long as posi-
bic to hide from her the hideous truth
Il have an appointment downtown
this evening"" he presently said. Il am
aorry. dear, but we shall have tomor-
row evening together
Very well, Richard. I will tell Jen-
=. nie..to prepare supper Immediately"
said Mrs. Cameron as she left the room.
Mr.. Cameron, alone in the library.
soon discovered his broken desk and at
once set about repairing the damage
His maneuvers caused the photograph
Ito drop from it's position, and. glancing
4 It It, his face flushed with annoyance.
"Nellies picture! What IL Isabel has
seen it?'
r. Just then his wife's footsteps were
/ heard and he hastily slipped the photo
graph into his pocket.
a Isabel Cameron carried her burden
continually. sometimes patiently, some
times rebeliiously. She watched, with
eyes sharpened by jealousy. every act.
@every word. of her husband. He
, seemed trifie more tender than Of old
but this made her only the more relent-
less. He pitied her. and was trying to
make the best Of the inevitable. she
said over and over again in her bitter
\ moments. The love Of his heart he had
s1aiyen to another, and for her. his chos-
Ell sWl1c, he udu OIlly ply. ny AAo"
RESPECTABLE to the injured heart Is pity.
!. "A month later she had fully decided
stupon a course of action, and at the ia
BILE. one evening. she disclosed her plans
( TO her husband.
you see. Richard, I have not seen
my sister Kate since just before we
were married. That was two years
nago. and should like very much to WIS.,
q 1t her. Do you think might go-well,
say about the first of next week."
Certainly. go by all means. dear.
Hswill do both you and Kate a world
of good to see each other again. Plan
30 tart Monday. This is Thursday, so
3 p1iss will have two or three days In
(which to make ready"
%The next moment she wished to re-
call her request but no. he had given
his permission unhesitatingly, almost
eaferly, she thought He was willing
he. was DESTROYS that she should leave
him. Then she would leave him-leave
Mn 10 dream as long as he wished of
Me eyes and golden tresses. How the
thought tortured her. But never. new
er would she relinquish her just rights.
she had been to him true and faith
ful wife and the vow he had made, ''un-
ystH death do us par" was not to be cas-
M c4st aside.
i The day Of Isabers departure arrived
and as Richard walked by her side she
cast one entreating look into his face;
,b1ltsit was evidently unnoticed. for his
handsome features betrayed no trace of
) feeling and she again assumed the in
4 different manner which of late had be-
come usual with her.
sas 1Ioon reaching the station they found
nstthere were only few moments be-
FORE the train left and Richard sat down
| IN: the bench beside his wife.
u s4Iow. Isabel, dear, Of course shall