The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-07-17

been eager to help in sll good works
II only she had been permitted
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 hau1 TO Billy.
He understood and ann 3anced an
early wedding day.
1t was a church wedding, with the
house Jammed to the last inch. After
it the new-naarried settled back into
their old ways, going a pace that kept
them the talk OF the town.
They were very gay-and desperate
" unhappy. Edith could not get away
from sense that Billy mad married
her wholly out of chivalry. Eniya
Billy was old enough to know better
but he vas proving the adage thai
love, which may make fool Il wise
man. may likewise make a wise man 2
fool. He tormented himself with the
thought that he had taken advantage
of Fdith's extremity. 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 dutiful wife.
He left her much 70 herself, and
took pains to make her know that she
was as free as ever. Edith resented
the freedom-Billy ought to under
stand that she wanted 20 obey him
make him at least that poor recon-
pense for his sacrifice.
Thus they ate out their hearts in
cross purposes, cross miscomprehen-
sions, until Ashbel Clare came to visit
them. Ashbel was reputed a dangerous
person-tall and slight and handsome,
with deep-seeing eyes. A glamour of
romance hung about him. After the
first day Billy wondered, with catching
breath, If he had been quite wise to
fling a man like AshbeI across Edith's
path?
She was clearly fascinated by him. They
were forever walking about the big, scrub
by garden, or along the strip OF lawn in
full sight OF passers-by, and All the while
quite her old, winsome self. AshbeI
seemed equally captivateds he reused him
self as Billy had not seen him since they
So the days went by. mounting into
weeks. at last into a month-and Billy
and mannerly third for the most part OF
the time: still, he was sure the two had
some secret UNDERSTANDINGS he hao mace
up his mind to endure to the end There
was no danger of Observation-Disclosures and
Edith could not come together in his
mind But when he was quite sure-it ne
were quite sure-he would find a way out
of it. His father had died of heart dis
ease-there were ways Of ending yourself
make an end of himself gladly, If only
that way lay Edith's happiness.
The first thing was TO make his Will.
Ashbel Clare surprised him at it. Billy
was glad. He wanted Ashbel to know
10 understand now G4tiIety ne udQ
ed his wife and his friend. So he thrust
the paper within Clare's hand saying
gruffly:
Read that You see have some decent
instincts, If I am half a. savage.
Il see. Everything great or small. to
your WIFE Ashbel said. Then with a
whimsical. half dreamy smile. do you
know she's the most fascinating creature
alive?"
Just what she says of you" Billy
growled. signing his name with blurred
flourish.
Ashbei bent over him, laughing softly.
The perception does credit to her
mind" he said. LAS for her heart, Billy,
you brute. that knows no better than to
belong to you, Wholiy-and you won't see
it, you blind. blind batr'
A soft, stifled sob. the patter Of swift,
light feet, sounded at the door. Billy fol-
lowed them, caught his wife in his arms,
and said, with his lips on her forehead:
.Darlingl Darling. If you really do love
me-
.sHush.' Edith said, with her hand over
his lips. You were a blind bat. Even
jealousy could not make you see-'-(Copy-
right, 1906, by Ruby Douglas)