The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-10-29

.f "A H And so it came to pass that John
 shii was taken to Black Hall. and Lau- ra was removed from the boat to the hospital. and Sir William Tankerlene took rooms at the Green Man and wait ed for his wife to send for him. But two weeks elapsed before Laura
 was strong enough to see anyone. and I then she asked for John Shil. She was told that Mir. Shil was at Black Hall and that he was too i'll to leave his house. Then she asked question after l question and worked herself into such l state of peevish excitement that Dr. l Hardy thought it advisable to tell her | something of the truth.
 My dear Lady Tankerlane." he said l gently, and then he paused, knowing I that the mere mention of her name would tell her part of that which he | wished her to know. She looked at him with fear in her eyes. and he laid | his cool hand on her pulse. l Where Is her" she whispered. How | did you know?'
 "Sfr William is at the Green Man, he replied. He is whiting till you are ] well enough to sec him. He will not l till you send for him. I hope you
 won't consider it ansimpertinence If I advise you to send for h i'm as soon as possible. He is very anxious about you, and can see that he loves you dearly.''
 A whole week passed before Laura aneided t9 see Ter husnand. And then she sent for him. not because she really wished to see him. but because the meeting was inevitable, and she want ed to get it over. He was waiting like sentry at the gate of her prison house. and she could not escape from him.
 The interview was short and re- markable for the way in which both parties avoided any refer ence to the past. Dr. Hardy had warn ed Sir William that Lady Tankerlane must not be allowed to speak about anything which would excite or dis tress her; that the meeting must be short and, if possible. devoid of all emotion.
 Acting on these orders, Sir William reduced the whole scene to the com monplaace level of a drawing-room conversation between two friends. Neither on his arrival nor on his de- parture did he attempt to kiss his wife. and his greeting was bare touch of the hand. They conversed on the most ordinary subjects, and in the most ordinary tone of voice.
 Yet. when Tankerlane left. he felt that he had bridged great gulf with a slender plank that he might yet build up to bear his weight. He had picked his words carefully. But he had contrived to show his wife that he had forgiven her, and that, in spite of her folly, he still loved her with all his heart and soul
 Another week passed, and she con- scented to see him again, and this time he approached the subject that was up- permost in his mind.
 Laura" he said gently, when Dr. Hardy had left the room, "in three weeks time you will be able to be moved from here. What arrange ments stlail I make for you7"
 I will make my own arrangements" she replied in a low, weak voice. T do not wish to be burden to you"
 Laura" he said. firmly. you are my wife,
 You can get divorce" she replied. "It will be easy enough after what has happened"
 T love you, Laura" hs continued, land know that you have done noth- ing dishonorable. Surely I, at any rate. should know that, after all that has passed between us. do not wish to force my presence on you. Laura, but I think that 1t would be best for you to return to Tankerlane Court. You can live your life there as you please. You shall have your own apartments. and I will not enter them unless you