The Monmouth inquirer. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1865-1933, 1906-09-20

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Edith looked at him doubtfully min
ute. 81 know. They try even to scratcl
YOU" she said. And then quickly, he
Eyes flaming, '"They actually cam'
here, three of them. to tell me abou
your past
"They dldg Billy's voice was deadl!
quiet. "And your
Il said 1t did not interest me t.
know about it; all l was concerned will
was your future" Edith answered, he
voice trembling little, although he
eyes were brave.
Billy got up and stretched himself
THAT settles it.. he said. Name the
day, right OF, so can go order wed
ding cards" -ha
Edith did name the day, but not until
she had stood out against him week
She might not have given in even then
but for the ordeal at church Not only
was she cut right and left-the minister
preached at her-not by name. Of
course, but In fashion more than I'M
mistakabIe. "a
Billy was there. across the aisle,
glum and furious. After service be
half led her out, and walked away
with her, his head high. But even that
did not hurt like the furtive yet swag-
gering airs of the three men who
called In the evening. There was fur
Their something Of patronage about
them to-
Altogether they made Edith hate
them, but not as she hated herself She
was full Of quick kindness and had
not meant hurt or affront to anybody
lat least not in the beginning. Duly
she wondered why her townsfclk would
not understand she had come back to
them because her interest lay among
them and had been eager to help In all
good works If only she had been per-
mitted.
But she held up her head and laughed
and tested till the latest of her callers
took himself away. Then silently she
held out her hand to Billy He under
stood and announced an early wed
ding day.
1t was church wedding. with the
house tammed to the last inch. After #
the newly married settled back into
their oN ways, going pace that kept
t,sem the talk OF the town.
they were very gay and desperately
unhappy. Edith could not get away
from a sense that Billy had married
her wholly out OF chivalry. Billy? Billy
was old enough to know better, but be
was proving the aGage that love. which
may make fool wise man, may like
wise make wise man fool. He tor
mented himself with the thought that
he had taken advantage Of E6ith's ex-
tremity. She must know he had loved
her from their very first meeting, but
she was shy and proud and high with
him, Notwithstanding she was his duti
full wife.
He left her much to herself and tool
pains to make her know that she was
as free as ever. Edith resen.el The
freedom. Billy ought to understand
that she wanted to obey him-rai;e
him at least that poor recompcr;e for
his sacrifice.
Thus they ate out their hearts III
cross purposes, cross miscolnp:Slie.i
ssons, until Ashbel Clare cane 70 50
them. Ashbel was reputed II darca.
Gus person-taIl and slight and h..;.,:
some. with deep seeing eyes. A gla.nou;
II romance hung about him. After tiie
Axst day Biily wondered. with catching
breath, II be had been quite wise tc
ding a man IKE Ashbel across Edith's
PATH:
She was eleariy fascinated - him
They were forever walking about the
big. scruhby garden or along the STRIP
OF lawn In full sight OF passersby and
all the while absorbed in talk. Edith
was brighter. toe-quite her old. win
some SELF. Ashbal seemed equally cap
tivated. He reused himself as Billy
had not seen him since they were lads
together.
So the days went By. mounting int
weeks, at last into a nnnnfA, and Billy
was In torment. He had made grin
and man0eriy third for the most par
OF the time. Sill he was sure the tws
had some secret understanding, 81
had made Up his mind to endure to tha
end There was no danger Of dishonor
D4shonor and Edith could not come to
gether in bis mind But when he wa.
quite sure-if he were qusse sure-h
would ind a way out Of It. His IA
ther had died Of heart disease. Their
were ways of ending yourself wfthou
making scandal He would make a:
end of himself gladly If only that wa,
lay Edith's happiness.
The first thinx was to make bis will
Ashbel Clare surprised him at it. Bill
was glad He wanted Ashbel to know
to understand how entirely he ha
trusted hts wife and his friend. So
thrust the paper into Clare's hand, saJ
ing grufay::
Head that You see I've some d.
cent instincts II am half a savage"
81 see Everything, great or small
to your wife" Ashbel said, then, wit
a Whimsical, half dreamy smile, I'd
you know that she's the most fascina