The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1907-09-05
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front door would no sooner De closed
on her than he would spring up Wild
ly, dress and go prowling about the
city till all hours of the morning.
heaven only knew where.
All the way down town she pic
tured him dressing, primping, per-
fuming, preparing to go.
The house at which the reception
was held was ablaze with lights. She
rang the bell, presented her card
and was admitted. Mrs. Graham re-
ceiyed her graclously begging her to
lay aside her wraps and be seated,
which sac did, taking a large rocking
chair opposite the couch upon which
her hostess had seated herself, rest
ing rather gracefully than otherwise
upon its gaily colored, profusely
piled-up pillows of down.
Beatrice was amazed at the change
in Mrs. Graham. 1t had been two
years or more since she had attended
her receptions. Then she had been
bright and gay to an extraordinary
degree. Now, against the brilliant
background of pillows, she seemed
like nothing SO much as Rose of
Yesterday.
II don't know" she began, deli
cately smoothing out wrinkle in her
gown. whether anyone else will
come. l haven't sent out many in
vitations lately. People forget you
in New York, unless you keep up with
the procession; and that unless you
have money, is a difficult thing to
do"
rs any one who writes expected
to have money!" inquired Beatrice,
casually; for her friend happened to
be among the class of those who COW
er one side of paper with letters
and present It to editors.
mot much" laughed Mrs. Gra-
ham, but you are expected to spend
1t as If you had 1t, which is almost
identical, If not quite. This
thing of money! All my life. it seems
to me, have been struggling to ac-
quire it; even when ! was married
to him and shouldn't have been. It's
a woman's right to be supported.
Isn't it?"
1t was one of Beatrice's skeptical
nights, evidently
'Do people ever get their rights in
this vale of tears?" asked she. with
toss of the chin and a fash of the
eye.
Mrs Graham nodded seemingly.
Sometimes" answered she, when
they least expect It, Then again
when they least deserve it. For in
stance, have known women to have
good husbands"
Beatrice gave a start of surprise.
She pushed back her hair eIcitedly.
mol" she exclaimed. Not good
husbands"
"Yes, when they didn't deserve
them"
Beatrice gave vent to something
like whistle.
"Good," decided she, "then that
evens up for the bad husbands good
women have who don't deserve
them"
Mrs. Graham observed her with .
critical eye.
II don't believe" she announced.
as an outcome OF the observation,
that you are happy"
rs anybody?"?" demanded Bea-
trlce, trifle more fiercely than the
occasion warranted.
Some are. Principally those, how
ever, who are willing to eiface them
selves, to practice the habit of re-
nunciation. It's a woman's first du-
ty, that. to learn to renounce."
ITO renounce what?"
Everything"
Here Mrs Graham took out a
handkerchief of lace and wiped a
tear.
Beatrice leaned eagerly forward
watching her.
Keep it up" she encouraged. II
like to see you do it,
Mrs. Graham Strengthened herself
fixing her with indignant eyes. gone
dry
'Why?" she demanded to know.
Because" responded Beatrice.
softly, 1T saves me the trouble"
She leaned her head against the
cushion at the back of her chair and
crossed one foot comfortably over
the other
Come said she, soothingly, be
gin at the beginning that is, some
where near the beginning"
glancing at the clock. "and tell me
the story of your llfe."'
Mrs. Graham patted the pillows,
dug her elbow into one and complied:
Its an old story" she began, "and
a hackneyed one. You already know
part of 1t, that | was Obliged to di-
vorce my husband. Well, |
thought l had right to expect truth
and fidelity from him, because he was
much older than l and of high sta
tion and still, as you say. one
seldom gets In this vale of tears what
one has right to expect. He was
untruthful to begin with. | gave
him my heart and soul. He repaid
me with untruths. They go togeth-
or, as you must know--untruth and
unfaithfulnesa. Yes. know all about
1t, the paintings. the waikings up and
down, the heartaches. Nobody can
tell me anything. l have been through
It all. ! shall never forget the mo-
ment found him In an untruth. |
thought my heart would break. NV
idol--and we do make idols OF these
men--was shattered. Friends tore
me from him---I loved him too well
to leave him OF my own accord. faith