The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-03-01

/ IS I AN sorry. Mr.. BRETON. but l can
never be your wife" said Mrs.
/ Dalling. the schoolmistress
OF Broken Ridge schools At thIr,
ty-two she was considered By Tar the
prettiest woman in that rough mining
town
rs it's it because-you like some
one better?" asked John Breton. awk-
wardly
NO. it is not that" said the woman.
rather sadly. Il like you. l liked
you from the first day I saw you. DO
you remember When you took my pho
tograph."
/ John Breton flushed with professional
pride. He was the local photographer.
/ the only one in the district and he
was fast making a comfortable fortune
! by taking portraits OF the miners Of
Broken Ridge on all and every occasion.
/ for a miner. when he is earning good
wages. spends his money freely. ana
with all his rough ways he has a con-
( siderable amount Of personal vanity.
1T was the prettiest picture I ever
took" burst out John. enthusiastically
But there. you couldn't help making
pretty picture" he added. as his eyes
/ rested on her fine figure and pretty face.
slightly flushed with the compliment he
had just paid her.
rs il because you don't like giving Up
the school, he asked presently. as his
eyes Travelled around the dainty sitting
room CT the sehooIhouse.
No. no. That is not the reason schc
said, with a little shake in her voice
1T IS not that. because l have received
notice to leave IN month. am dis
missed from the school"
Dismissed from the SCHOOL," cried
John Breton. in surprise.
Yes. l am dismissed" replied MIS-
DaIIinger. sadly They-they have heard
methiug-something detrimental to
me. and they do not think I am At per
son now to teach their children"
you mean they have heard that your
husband"
They have heard that my husband
committed murderl' cried Mrs. DaIliu
ger. bitterly. And Tor his crime tho
woman whom he deserted ten years ago
Is to be punished. She is u be branded
as unfit to meet me- soiiow- creatures.
and she is to be thrown in the gutter L.
starve."
THE cowardly ours" said John Bret,
ton. angrily. Not fit TO teach their
children. indeed Why. you're miles too
good. You're an angel from heaven to
them. and there is not one of the little
mites that would not lay down her life
for love of you. All. / know who has
done this. ] know who has raked up
that miserable story. This is piece of
Venner's work. He always hated you"
Il don't think Mr.. Venner hates me,
said Mrs. DaIlinger. smiling sadly at
Johns impetuous wrath. why. once he
even honored me by asking me 10 be-
come his wife"
Coroner Yenner asked you to become
his wife? % cried John. in amaZement.
Coroner Venner and John Breton
have both done me that honor" said
Mrs. Dallinger demurely But why are
you so surprised"
"Oh, nothing, nothing, answered Bret
ton. hurriedly. Il will tell you toInor-
row"
For a few moments he stood thinking
Then he rose and crossed the room and
Mrs. Dallingcr." he said quietly. i
want you to do something. 1 know it will
be painful 10 you. but ! want you 10 tell
me what you know Of the murder your
husband committed"
Il can tell you little" said the wo-
man. slowly. AT the time / was i'll and
/ was not told anything about it till
months had passed. ! married Mark
)allingcr thirteen years ago-whcn / was
ineteen.. But Marks love was not near
so true as mine. and he soon tired Of
and began TO treat me with cruelty.
&c he weAt little too far and the
yhbors began TO talk, and the story
he'd the ears of my poor old dad
as alive then-and, old man as he
he publicly horsewhipacd my hus-
and took me away. The next thing
ard OF Mark he was known as
York. About a year after he
a penitent letter saying ne had
oney at the mines and sent me