The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-07-30
THE RETURN
BY NELLIE cRAvEY GILMORE.

drawing the dark veil closer about her
face.
There's hardly any need of discussing
it further the man was saving in a low
determined tone. Mrs Carrington's teeth
sank into her lip until the blood started as
she recognized. distinctly her husband
voice. And the woman-whO was she?
A fierce pang shot through her-the bit
terest she had ever known. After all,
then. she had been right; he had not only
ceased to care for her-but there was an
other woman.
In a moment they came into view and
both sat down one of the benches. Mrs
Darlington shrank closer behind the shell
tering shrubbery. observing. with a sigh of
Vulnerable relief, that the woman was
her husbands sister. who had brought him
up from knickerbockers
However she insisted. you must adj
nit, John. that she has given you precious
little attention since the boy died"
The man lifted his hand, enjoining ST.
lence.
Now. I never was much of a believer
in divorces, myself she kept -: but it
appears to me that's about the only thing
left for you now.
Darlington looked up quickly chal-
lenge III his eyes What do you mean
by that. Esther"
Mean" she retorted scornfully: lis
it possible. John Darlington. that you
are such fool as not to know the talk
your wife's been making around town
with that Etheridge person.?
The mans face flushed a slow red UNI
der its mask Of bronze. and the eyes he
turned to her We're terrible in their stern
ness.
THAT will do!'' he said. in a concentrat-
ed voice. After bit he went on more
calmly, little sadly: Maybe it's the
truth that she doesn't care for me any
longer; don't blame her for that. though.
No man. woman either can govern
these things; but, in Gods name, Esther.
don't tel me that woman like Winona
could deliberately put stain on her dead
baby'S memory.
The other gave little short. sneering
laugh. very we'll" she responded curt
ly. I've warned you-thats all. When
she has succeeded in dragging your name
through the mire you'll remember that
your sister tried to open your eyes in
time"
Darlington rose and moved away toward
| the grave. Leave me now" he said
coldly, land never attempt to reopen the
subject. Your advice is well meant, I
don't doubt that; but you have made a
very serious mistake in following me here
| with garbled tales; and let ME tell you
this much. whatever my wife does or has
done, she is the stainless mother of my
dead boy. have sworn to be her prOtec-
tor, and | intend to keep my oath. Good
by, Esther he finished quietly
minute paSsed-fYe. then ten. and
the man still knelt by the violet bloomed
mound.
Mrs. Darlington reused herself as from
dream: strange dizziness blinded her
and made her limbs pewerieSs to move
After what seemed an eternity, she rose,
shaking almost beyond her control as she
moved noiselessly through the deep grass
and stood on the opposite side of the
grave.
The man looked up at the sharp crack
ling of a twig, and two faint points Of
color sprang to his white cheeks.
''Nona!'
For an instant she stood erect. then tot
tered and flung herself on his bosom
Jack" she cried, with little broken
sob. "Jack-take me-take me home
with you!"