Free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1888-1908, 1906-08-11

them into a soul troubled by many
doubts and stirred by many longings-
truthful, aspiring, honest and pure, dread
ing no scrutiny, harboring no evil, desir-
ing but good. The thick masses of hair
brushed from her wide forehead were
lightly streaked with gray above the
temples.
Mrs Dumbarton declined the coffee
when served.
q dare not drink it after four O'Clock
or l should be stretched upon a rack,
she explained.
"Of thought" he suggested, raising
his eyes to hers.
Eyes, I sleep badly"
81 felt sure you were unwell. You
have worked too hard"
81 am always like this when I have
come to the end of book; writing is
such a strain upon the nerves"
81 have seldom seen you look so i'll, .
he remarked gravely.
For the past week I have been ter
ribly depressed without apparent cause.
The very silence of the house weighed
upon me- The atmosphere doomed full
of tragedies; it seemed as if something
dreadful might happen at any moment or
every hour"
were coming with me to Egypt. Think of
it. I'll put off my journey to suit your
convenience; it will do you all the good
in the world. Come"
Impossible. Next month Veronica
and / may run over to Paris, of which
| am so fond"
'The present is the time you most need
change" he urged earnestly.
1sTJnur da1iohtf,11 We ct1Ot11d fhe
pyramids and camels and the desert" said
Veronica, her face Frightening.
There are many reasons why I can
not leave home at present" replied the
authOress. Perhaps next year
Better come now" interrupted Valer-
ius. who knows what may happen be-
tween this and next year,"
who knows?" she repeated, absently.
do come"
81 cannot. And now, Veronica, your
hour has struck" said Mrs. Du1nbarton,
looking at the clock.
The girl rose without murmur.
Goodnight, mother, DEAR" she said.
Goodnight, my darling, and may God
bless YOU"
1T will be goodnight and good-by to
me- said Galbraith, as, bending down, he
kissed the girls forehead.
ITO think" said Mrs. Dumbarton, as
the door closed upon her daughter, ''that
she is just seventeen, the age at which
l was married. It was wrong to sane
ton such marriage; what was I but
a child who did not know my own
mind?"
'But nothing would dissuade you from
him. Surely you cannot forget
how l tried-how your mother"
eyes, l know" she replied, with a
movement of Impotence, "and how 1
have suffered for my obstinacy The
punishment seems out of proportion to
the fault AT times / grow rebellious
at my fate"
where is he now?"
'In London?"
What" exclaimed Valerius, starting.
II thought he had left England"
''He did six months ago, but he has
I had letter from him yes
terday"
"Begging?"
Demanding"
''And you?'' Valerius said, anxiously.
81 made no reply"
"Olive," said Galbraith, in a low, ear
nest voice, st is not yet too late. Take
the advice of your friend, of your only
ruined your life"
A half-stifed sob, more piteous than a
cry, was her only response.
''He has squandered your fortune in
vice." continued Valerius, excitedly "He
has well-nigh starved you and your child;
he has heaped insult and injury upon
you. and then deserted you-divorce
him %
NO." she answered, in a voice strained
from her struggle with emotion "You
know my ideas on the subject are old
fashioned. He is the father of my child,
and if only for her sake I could not
make his infamy public. dare not state
what I have suffered. I shrink from
holding UP my wrongs to the view of
a curious, morbid and knocking public"
''The matter would be forgotten in a
month"
81, whom it most concerned, could
never forget Besides, l see no advan-
tage to be gained. have bought his
consent to legal separation, so that he
cannot harm me any more"
rs there no other reason for you to
desire a divorce?" Galbraith asked in
still graver voice that trembled in antici-
patton of her reply.
''None," she answered, without hest
tation.
Valerius quivered as if he had received
a blows and then, after a seconds sill
ence, he half reluctantly rose to take
his leave. She stood up likewise, and
for a second he looked into her eyes,,
freighted with pain patiently borne. Then
with an air of dependency he turned
from her.
"You will let me hear from you now
and then?" she said, understanding his
feelings and wishing to soothe him in
the hour of their parting.
"Of course. I will write regularly.
And if ever you need me, Olive, send
but a word and I will come to you,
wherever / may be. Remember"
Thank you, thank you. Vaierius," she
replied warmly as she held out her hand.
"Good-by, and a pleasant journey
Good-by."
0Cood h,,o he ooswered IN voice