Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1907-02-06

to her husbands creditors without murmur
and went back to live with her mother hop
ing against hope that she would hear some
thing of Jack; that he would let her know
where he was and give her the means of
joining him. But the weeks grew into
months and still there came no sign, and
presently year had gone by and she was
still in utter ignorance of her husbands
whereabouts.
She felt that he had treated her very
cruelty; the shame was bad enough, the
terrible suspense was worse She didn't
even know IL he was alive or dead At
last she made up her mind that he must be
dead. He might have committed suicide
drowned himself, perhaps-and this was the
reason that since the day of his fight the
silence had remained unbroken.
She wondered often what could have in
duced him to turn dishonest She had never
asked for luxury. though she had accepted
1t when it came. And Jack himself had
always appeared quite contented and happy
in the days when they practiced economy.
Year succeeded year, and still no news
came, and then Rose abandoned her last
hope and made up her mind that on this
side of the grave she would see her husband
no more. Then she determined to accept an
offer which she had from an old friend of
Grief. and accept the position of a COM
panon to her. Roses mother had died the
year previous. and she had no one to con-
slider but herself.
Mrs Moncrieff was about to take long
continental tour. and the change of scene
and the excitement would be the very best
thing, possible for, Mrs Smedley:: whose
health had suffered under the long harass
and suspense she had endured.
On the evening that was to be her last
In the lodgings she had occupied since her
boxes, when the landlady came up to say
that gentleman wished to see her.
1t was so unusual for any one to call
upon Mrs. Smedley that for moment
wild idea flashed across her mind that it
was Jack. But the hope was slain the
moment it was born. for the landlady added
He says that his names Marlborough.
ma'am"
Tom Marlborough" said Rose to herself
whatever can he want? I suppose he's
heard that hat, I'm I'M going abroad and has come
She came down stairs to the parlor to
see her visitor. and found Tom in state
of great excitement
II hope you won't mind my calling on
you late" he explained. but I've only
Just found out where you lived. I've some
news for you"
81 know what il is" gasped Rose you've
seen Jack"
Eyes, believe I have
The next minute Tom had dashed out into
the hall and was yelling for the landlady.
faint.
When the landlady and Tom between
them had brought her round and Rose was
calmer. Tom told his story.
He had been dining with some friends
the previous evening at a little town
some thirty miles from London. and after
thcy hdu Iuduc up q party W 81
to the local theater.
The piece was not up to much and the
company was only small travelling one. but
the voice of the man who played one OF
the parts instantly arrested Toms atten-
ton. He listened and listened. and the
more he listened the more the idea haunted
him that he was listening to Jack Smed-
ley.
He borrowed a pair Of opera glasses and
scrutinized the actor carefully, but the
makeup" effectually concealed the mans
fnoft Ind vat fhnn mae lab
about the eyes and upper part of the face
that confirmed Toms impression that he
was In the presence of his long lost friend.
The actors name was given in the pro-
gram as "Mr. j. Wilson" AS soon as the
performance was over Tom made an excuse
to his friends and went round to the stage
door. He saw the stage doorkeeper and
asked IL he could speak to Mr.. Wilson.
"I'll see. sir. What name?'
Say Mr.. Marlborough"
The man took the message and promptly
returned to say that "Mr. Wilson was en-
gagged with the manager and could not see