The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1904-09-23
nAnOnymOusFOe

b. T. a. ..

And he did tax her. His wrath
overwhelmed her.
did you marry me simply to get
a home for your boy: Was our wed
ding a loyelcss marriage on your part:
Was your vow lie and fraud? Were
you faithless in heart, If not In factT'
Out rushed the questions, leaving
the poor woman speechless, pOwerless
to quell his rage. Then her tears fell
as the indigna. man proceeded to still
further interrOgate her. The pent-up
suspicion Of weeks had now cruel
expression impaired to 1t.
In her emotion she had admitted
that when she accepted him she first
thought Of securing a home for her
boy. and he had accepted this admis-
sion as justification Of all the sinister
accusations. At all events he had
rushed violently from the house.
The man still strobe up and down
this unfrequented green lane. At last
he entered field in which he and
himself on the turf. 1t was n close
summer evening. and while he was
communlng with himself-half ap-
plauding, half upbraidng- fell
asleep His very emotion had ex-
hausted him.
"You know, my dear Mrs. Tregon-
ming, you have all my sympathy. |
cannot tell you how | dcplorc the un-
fortunate business. had not believed
that Mr. Trcgonning could have be-
haved with such calousness.'
Richard Tregonning awOkc with a
start as these words fell on his ear.
For the moment his faculties, not yet
quite under control, he imagined he
was dreaming. He wondered how his
wife could be there. but instantly re-
called the fact that he was near her
fathers house. But who could be
talking TO her thus-in tones he in.
stinctiveiy felt to be untrue?
"Of course, my dear, when you mar
rIed Richard Tregonnlng, | only
thought you did it because he was
able TO provide n good home for your
boy-bccause he was a good catch"
Good heavens. this was the very
language OF his letters; Was he now
about 10 receive confirmation Of all
his harsh fears and doubts? lie re-
mained in his PROSTATE position, intent
on every word.
A moan. all the more painful be-
cause OF the effort to suppress it-a
moan of anguish-had escaped his
wife.
"Of course" went on her companion
you remember that YOU Contidcd to
me that though YOU respected him, You
did not love him. You were in doubt
as to whether you should accept him.
Indeed, | thought you cared more for
| Malcolm Barrett"
Another moan fell on the ears OF the
distraught man. Why should his wife
be tortured thus? Resentment pos
sessed him even as he thought of his
own fanCied wrongs. And who was
this woman? why IL must be Helen
Gilbert-Uelen Gilbert whom his
! father once wished him o,marry, and
who told him that her own uncle had
already limited that he would look with
| favor on the match; Helen Gilbert, to
whom for a while, knowing his fathers
desire, he had paid considerable at
tenton. Her accents did not now ring
true-they were cold, rather than
warm, pitiless, rather than sympa-
thetic. How strangely she was cor
robora ting his anonymous correspond.
ence!
However" pursued Miss Gilbert,
barbing her glbe, II do not see why
you should be so cast down and hurt.
He has provided for you and your boy.
What more could you want? That,
dear, was all you sought
strange" again thought Richard
Tregonnlng. chow faithful Helen Gil
bert is to the language Of the anony
nous letters! she uses not only the
same sentiments, but the very same
language"
AT one time" rap on the lady, her
tone more insinuating. but more re-
pellant. Richard TreGonning directed
ulS dlltuAlou 10 luts L ItDuktu ulll
like you, my dear Mrs. Tregonning. |
could not bring myself TO care for him
But, OF course. | was not a widow and
mother. and had not upon me the
necessity 10 find home. After my re.
buke OF him l heard OF his attentions
20 you, and was sorry, but when you
said you did not care for him | was
reassured. thought no serious harm
would come, and that you would lead
your life, and he his"
The man was about 10 leap 10 hi.
feet. but restrained himself once morp
His wife was now speaking, and il
indignant tones.
= "who has done this cruel thing don
know. IL is true, did not care fot
7 Richard Tregonning as | ought TO hav,
D done when he proposed to me. Yes
! ought TO have done, for a truer maj
T never lived. At least. cared for N.
! other, certainly never for Malcolm
q Bartlett. But his goodness. his kind
] ness, his sympathy have made me NOR
than love him. Who has been o