The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1904-10-20
ton in commonplace tones, Have you

relief he threw his arms round her
and drew her to him for q moment.
Then she seated herself opposite him
in low chair, where the freight fell
on her face, bringing out all its charm.
In the magnetism Of her presence
her husband became almost happy
once more-until the memory Of that
letter came back to sting him.
Suddenly he asked her:
"Adele. were you ever in DorkinC"
She opened wide her eyes and an
swered:
mo. dear: why do you ask"
"Just curiosity" Then. after a
pause, he added: "Did you ever know
a man named Tom Spencer"
She laughed softly. and, folding her
dainty hands. replied:
Now am In ned on the rack. Why
torture my inoccnt soul with the curl
osi.y to know the reason for placing
me In the witness box:
At her irrelevant answer his doubts
rose again and he rather sternly re-
peated his question. with a request for
a direct reply.
"Tom Spencer-Tom Spencer-where
have seen or heard tina. name" she
querIed softly. as IL to herself. Il
certainly don't know any Tom Spen.
Ger, but / believe l have heard that
name somewhere"
"And now, you dear. cross ogre. are
there any observation-disclosures 'forErne !?
Because. il you have finished. will
so and dress for dinner .,,,,
He laughed and watched her disap-
pear throgh the door.
A month'passed. and during this time
Robert Malcolm tried to detect flaw
In his wife.s devotion to justify him
in the doubt which would creep in
whenever he thought Of the letter. Bat
it was in vain that he sought an ex-
planation in her manner. There was
nothing about her to suggest that
wealth had palled upon her, or that
without poverty and Tom Spencer her
life was blank. She was as ever air.
lily affectionate. daint.ly tyrannical.
fiippant and serious in Ole breai n.
with that Infinite variety" which WAS
her greatest charm. One night wh'n
they had returned from canoe. he
decided to make Il full confession to
her and to ask her for an explanation.
She had thrown herself into an easy
chair and looked even fairer tEan US
ual.
Making fnal effort. lie began. ard
rapidly he told her all-ail about tie
letter. his doubts and desnair and tie
unhappiness he f,lt wh"n.ver he
thought of the matter. While he WIS
talkirg she was looking Gown and
twisting the rings on Ler slanGer in
gers. When he finished she looked rD
at him with slow. amused smile
creeping over her face.
"Now l understand those questions
you asked me- about Tom Spencer.
Yes, that was the name-and know
why the name seemed familiar to me-
"Well, what of Tom Spencer? Who
is hc?"
"He is a creature Of my own imag.
nation, aid once havirE created
Thomas, I straightway forgot him.
When you asked me that day I
wondered where l hal heard the
name"
"What do you mcan?" lie demanded.
"On,y this. Bob-but first you must
promise not to laugh a. me-" Sc
stopped. looked at lin anIiously. lie
nodded impatiertly, and she went Oh.
"Some time ago l conceived Of brig
literary. thought out story and DE-
cided that I would depart from tie
usual routine ard have it toll in 4
series Of letters. You got hold Of the
beginning of the story. was called
awcy that cay. and never thought
again Of my literary venture
He drew h"r up to him and thc1,
with his arms around her. lie asked III
q husky whisper:
adele, will you forgive me?"
For answer she put Eer arms round
his neck and then replied softly:
"If you'll promise never 10 doubt me
again"
The promise AMI the forgiveness
were consunmated In rome long Kiss.
A week later, in local PAPER Robert
Malcolm happened on the following:
"Dorking. Anril cc3.-Mr. William
Spencer, an old and respected citizen
Of this city. died yesterday afternoon.
The deceased had long been sufferer
from paralysis. but his death was un-
expected. He leaves one son. Mr..
Thomas Spencer. with whom he lived,
to mourn bis loss" :.