The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-04-18

The Missing Man
copyright by Lee & Shepard
Thrilling Startling Phase q
Infu eandDo ub Personality

/ love me again if you try to recall your old
affection. Let US begin anew, be married
again, secretly, If you will, but throw on
the old bond and begin a new life with all
the shadow of past distrust and suffering
left behind VIII you, Constance, viii
you?"
His voice was low and pleading, his hand
still clasping hers. But she drew II away
You talk absurdy," she said. las II old
married people could not do better than TO
cover themselves with ridicule by a second
wedding Never mention the matter TO me
againi'
ut was for you 1 mentioned it. know
you better than you know yourself. aud I
say again that If you would consent to
marry me anew your olden love would re-
| turn to YOU"
Say no more. I distrust YOU feel that
there is something false about you. / have
| from the first
DO you doubt my love for your"
Not that, perhaps, she said faltering.
| for she could not doubt IT, looking into his
| face so full OF loves emotion: but do not
feel sloI at ., ease Sc in your presence What OF
about and facing him again.
Lenora, he ieebiy repeated
Yes, Lenora.'
There is no Lenora."
rs she dead?'
she may be, for aught know Con-
| stance, as heaven is my witness. she is
| nothing to me. Your hsuband has been true
| to YOU always in word. thought and deed.
| Look at yourself" pointing to the mirror
set between two panels, and reaching from
1 Il
| forget you for any other woman? Is there
any other half so beautiful good I'm the
wide world? If there is, L never her"
| III this passionate assertion moved Con-
stance In the least she did not eyince any
emotion. She put up her hand. merely as
n II, to stay further words; and said calmly:
| Il hear the children. They have finished
| their game, and it is time for Uncle Car
| ter. too
Clare and Perley entered flushed and
rosy from their game. which they had
| finished by the aid of the electric light.
| such fun" said Perley, as an echo to the
late game. unwilling to let the sport drop.
"Oh, yes; why didn't you come out.
papa?'
! Clare, said Mr. Hamilton, fondly stroking
| her curls.
She clasped his hand and held it, "You
| wear your ring all the time now. You used
| to only wear it occasionally" bringing out
| the long word with careful precision. ''You
| carried it i'm your pocketbook.
| Il know it. dear. 1t is almost my dearest
| possession, my mothers ring, and love 10
| wear it. 1t reminds that had a mother
| once who loved me as your mother loves
| you and Perley."
| She took his hand and kissed the ring
| with childish sympathy.
Il love you, too, papa, almost better than
| L used to-"
You are the only one who does. nv
| darling. Ii is really. truly. for myself?" he
asked her, as If yearning for some acknowl-
| edgment.
'Of course it is. But" she continued.
thoughtfully, you never hear me say
| my prayers now"
Would you like to have me? L thought
| 1t was to God you prayed"
Yes; but 1 want you to pray, too. in
your heart. you used to-
Very well. i will
| wait a moment" and slipping to her
| room, which adjoined the one they were
| I'm, she quickly slipped off her dress and put
! on her long, fair nightgown.
| Il am going to bed, l tired" she
said. simply, kneeling down by HIS s le,
clasping her hands alld closing her eyes
Tlx..ar - N
mamma, and Perley and me. and make
ali happy together we used TO be. And
forgive us all our sins. Amen
| And forgive us all our SINS" he repeated
| so low that only Clare heard him.
Perley was in his mothers arms. half
asleep, and Clare approached them and
Goodnight. my darling" said her moth
| err Get into bed, and | will come and
tuck you up after help Perley to undress
| lie Is too sleepy TO undress himself"
Mr.. Hamilton looked at the group with
| misty eyes and strange, yearning gaze.
Then putting on his hat he suddenly left
i the house, and walked down the street. en-
countering man who stopped TO speak TO
him. But Mr.. Hamilton brushed him one
side. unceremoniously. as he said:
| IF YOU must see me. come to my Office
Tomorrow. Not tonight"
Are you sick?" asked the man. peering
| into his face.
Yes, sick OF living"
| The man shrank back without replying.
and Hamilton STROBE until he met Mr..
|
| Nowhere. will walk back with you"
| That's right stayed down with Hem
derson to play whist Henderson thinks he
Is crack player, but L beat him ne
didn't know where he was" and Mr.. Carter
laughed and rubbed his hands. But. bless
! my soul, Nane, you sick2'
| why, no; do L look sick?'
| mo; but kind of queer and silent.
II am feeling little dull and blue"
That will never do. Vane. Cheer up"
Il can't. i was just wishing I had never
| been born. The world is all wrong for some
of its people. and | of them. L
never felt 1t till lately. Th--e is no justice
In the world. L almost feel at times that
| luck rules it,
That's bad state of mind. vane. but
1 think / understand you: Constance does
not treat you as she should. / see IL. but 1
don't understand ii. Women are strange
creatures But think the cause and cure
are In your own hands"
You treat her too tenderly. almost like
ca lover. Women like masterful men, they
say and you used to be like that You
never used 10 allow her MOODS and whims
to move you. What has changed YOU
Nothing. unless the fact that love her
better. She is dearer TO me now tnou-
sand times. l never half appreciated her
divine character"
Divine. Fiddlesticks. Constance Is
good woman. but there IL nothing divine
about her. Now get rid of that idea and
assert YOURSELF"
II can't II Constance does not love me.
she shall be left to herself Harkt what
dolefu music is THAR he asked suddenly,
stopping before the house OF Mrs. Fry,
from whence stole the strains OF mournful
music, solemn and sweet, as remembered
sin and forgiveness Who Is playing The
fellow has a wonderful gift"
Think so? That is Primus Edes. Mrs.
Fry's boarder and one OF our workmen."
answered Mr. Carter. looking askant at his
| companion TO whether the name
awakened any emotion. But IL did not.
evidently
| ..Prirnus Edes they say. Is strange
| man / must talk with him some time.
do; and tell me whether you think he
looks like yourself. Constance thinks he
| does.
Constance thinks that fellow looks like
| me- echoed Mr.. Hamilton I'm great sur
| prise.
"Yes: she does, or did
.Do you think SOL"
Not "A bit bless my soul, not a bit: sat
women take queer notions sometimes.
They had been sauntcrng homeward very
| slowly. arm In arm, and they We're nearly
| home now. but something I'm MIR. Carter .
tone appealed 10 his companions sensibili-
ties IA a strange way.
What do you mean. Uncle Carter7 What
/ queer notions has Constance taken up!"
4 -.