New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-01

that for?"
Because I loved your wife. as You say.
though she was not your wife then
"Wen?"
Il thought knew what kind of man you
were. but wanted TO make SURE"
"why?"
Il thought. If I right there was probably
unhappiness ahead for her and loved her, and
should have liked to have saved her from IT,"
1t would have been a id sight better for all
OF US If you had married her instead OF me"
Il never should have married her"
You would have If you could"
No"
You asked her once. you know. Doat lie.
Father; leave that to me"
Yes. asked her. But knew my case was
hopeless; if had not known that 1 shouldn't
have asked her"
Bradford frOwned. You talk riddles. Don't
make me lose my faith in you. too"
The rector laid his pipe upon the table Ths
| amber mOuthpiece was half bitten through
Your faith In me?''
You married me; you buried my baby
You're my minister. by the conventions Let ne
ask you question. DO you believe in God?"
Charges nodded.
"A heaven, OF course?"
Yes"
And a heu?''
Here said Charges. inaudibly. and the Jet
Christ quivered on his breast
Complete outfit Of terms" laughed Bradford.
disagreeabIy. Well minister that God OF
yours has scored of me"
Look here" repeated Charges. watching him
narrowly. don't you know you're not well?"
Il shall be well enough by tomorrow minis
| ter"
Charges went 10 a drawer and fetched flask
and glass. Drink this"
Il never touch it, minister. Don't you know
1 have no vices?'
Suddenly Charges crossed TO him. and put his
| hand his shoulder. Poor Iad,' he said,
| softly. oh poor lad!" Bradford laid his head
upon his arms. and dry. fearless sob escaped
| him.
she doesn't think 1 love her. Father he said.
| ptifully. she doesn't believe 1 love her!''
| The rectors lips worked curiousIy he stood
looking down. lie licked them with his tongue.
like man afraid. Bradford and he had never
| liked each other and he did not like Bradford
( now. but he sorry for him. Bradford knew
that. and he was little comforted- Strong men
/ despise pity; weak men only profess to. and
/ crave it when the strain comes.
! Frank" said the rector you have just said
| that by the conventions 1 your minister.
| You know, too. that once l tried to tell your
| wife before she was your wife, what thought
about you. May 1 go and tell her what think
| MOVE"
You believe that 1 love her.
God help YOU! Yes, l believe you do"
| She doesn't
May I talk to her? You said you had faith
| in me-"
What good will it do? You don't think
! came here this morning for that?'
No. And 1 may do good But
Speak to her if you want. When shall you
see here"
s-T,%i,
Bradford hesitsted. Then he drew letter
from his breast pocket. When you've said all
| you can, give her this. I've always tried to
keep it out OF her sight: but now 1t can't do me
| any harm. at least. Give it TO her. and tell her
TO burn it; I sha'n't need II any longer. Good
| by. Charges. 1 must go to the Office. have
! my work To do. you know. L was on my
! way when l thought OF you and just decid-
ed to try my new honesty. Come and see me ut
three. 1 will wait till then. But YOU will fall
He went away. nevertheless. with a little flicker
| of hope in his heart-the hope of the drowning
man when he sees the straw.
Charges left alone, did not return 10 his
mon. but walked up and down. thinking over
| what he had heard, and what he meant to say
| TO Amy. He had doubt that bradford was In
| earnest His last scrap OF hesitation vanished
just before he put his hand on BTadfOrds shOUl-
der and offered TO speak to his wife. He Won
II
| to him. He thought she wOuld-though she had
once ordered him never to speak to her again.
4 To disobey her now was only another penanCs
= that ne inflicted on himself: he was always In
fiicting them. of one sort and another But To
plead for her husband he needed his brain clear.
so he rang for Norah and ordered a luncheon.
She was puzzled since 1t was fast day; but
she was used to the vagaries OF Father Charges
and would cheerfulIv have cut off her little nose
and served it TO him on Good Friday had she
fancied he wanted II. Servants. children and
dogs adored Charges; shopmen and his curates
disiked him. Both feelings were certificates OF
good character.
He saw Amy, in the afternoon, at the same
little table where he had seen her months be-
fore and found out certainly that she dislikcd
him. AS az the former time she was reading.
but he did not take the book from her hand nor
did she give him cause to- She had the sans
steady. empty look upon her face that she had
borne at the baby's funeral-a look which ANS
! careless person might have translated mean
ing that she did not care: there "a been plenty
/ to give just that Interpretation. r. must bs
confessed that Amy was not popular. The look
/ had hitherto baffied Charges. bu; he though, he
/ held the key now to her heart well as her
/ character and SO he understood H.
/ He blessed the good fortune which made pre-
! liminaries unnecessary with Amy. and began at
/ once to tell her OF his mornings interview with
/ her husband. He to- II very calmly. but very
earnestly. speaking more rapidly than she had
! ever heard him speak before.
/ Frank is in very desperate condition. Mrs.
I Bradford" he said He Is -ssed OF the idea
/ that he cannot make you believe he loves you.
ba "a o,,ite homeless OF proving II 70 YOU and