Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1907-03-23
The Minister'S Wife
CHAPTER Xv.-(Continued.)
By MRS. HENRY WOOD

After tea they dispersed about the two
rooms which opened to each other. One
OF the girls sat down to the piano, the
others gathered round it. Sir Eyerard
strolled toward the other room. Mary
sat on a sofa. apparently lost in thought,
and Charles Baumgarten stood under
meath the chandelier, with an open book.
Sir Everard sat down by Mary.
1T has been long separation, Mary"
ne whispered Did you think | was new
er coming?"
Yes, it has been long" she family said,
Her hands were trembling. her heart was
beating; she spoke--and looked-as if
she were frightened
But from no fault of mine," he re-
turned Had you permitted a regular
correspondence, you would have known
this"
A hasty glance had shown him that
40 one was looking. Charles Baumgar-
ten, buried in his book, stood with his
back toward them; the rest were round
the piano, singing. He bent his face
down to Mary's and his lips touched her
cheek.
"Oh, don't. don't !" she shrinkingy ut
tered
NAY, my dearest. would you deny it
to me? 1t is reward long waited for"
She gaSped for breath as she stood up
and caught the corner of the mantelpiece.
Fer face had turned painfully white
again.
The song over, the conversation became
general, and presently Sir Everard rose
to leave.
Twill you tell Lady Grace with my
kind regards. that l anticipate the pleas
IRE of seeing her tomorrow" said Sir
Everard to Charles, as he held out his
hand.
Charles did ast choose to see the hand,
and he replied, coldly and stiffly: Il do
not reside with Lady Grace, and shall
not be likely to meet her tonight or to-
morrow"
lie has his mothers pride" thought
Sir Everard. But Sir Eyerard was mis-
taken.
Mary slipped out of the room after
ward, and she had not returned to it
when Charles said goodnight
As he passed small parlor, on his way
out, usually devoted to the studies and
pursuits of the young ladies, Charles ear
caught the sound of something very like
a sob. He halted and looked in. There
were no candles in the room, but the fire
was blazing away and in its light stood
Mary. He went in and shut the door be-
hind him. She smoothed the traces Of
tears from her face, but could not hide
its CHASTITY look. Charles turned white
also, and confronted her upon the old,
worn hearthrug.
The time for concealment has passed
Mary, as it seems to me- he began. 1--WE
have gone on. like two children, making
believe to hide things from one another.
This is the awaking! What is to be
done? You cannot act lie, and marry
that man."
"Oh, Charles, what are you sayingF'
she uttered, in a wailing tone. Il would
rather die ~
Yes, for you love me-nay, don't |
tell you the time for concealment is
over, and this night is the awakeningf
You love me--and Oh, my darling! how
| love you | cannot stay now to tell. Nor
need |, for you have known it without my
telling YOU"
II am terrified" she whispered. 81
am nearly terrified to death at the thought
of what is before me. Think of the wrong
have done to him :"
And | think of my position, my pow
erty." returned Charles Baumgarten. IF
spoke to your father he would turn me
out of the house and keep me out of it.
We have just gone on, living in a fools
paradise, Mary, shutting our eyes to the
future"
Not a word must be breathed to my
father" she whispered eagerly.
would you marry Everard WilmotV
sharply cried Charles Baumgarten. But
that l forced control upon myself with
an iron will, should have struck him
when he kissed you tonight"
She cried out with pain. "You saw it,
them"
"Saw it? felt it. Felt it as if it had
been a sharp STEEL piercing my heart. Oh,
the curse of poverty! | seem to be help
less in the matter. Mary, / can only
trust in you"
"A dim idea came over me, while |
sat with him on the sofa, of speaking to
him." she said, in tone of abstraction.
But l don't know how | could do it.
He is so good man, so honorable, so
kindly; one of those men you may trust.
wish he had never taken it in his head
to ask me TO marry him l wish | had
followed my own impulse at the time
and declined him"
1--WE have nearly our whole lives be-
fore US, Mary, and they must not be sac
rifced to misery" he urged. Mary, you
must wait for me; know | shall get
on
Leave me to think 1t over for to-
night" she answered. II must try and
see what ought to be done-and do it."
He put his arm around her to kiss
her; but she started away. Charles
at present, remember, | am engaged to
him !"
1t was of no use. 81 must take away
the one that he left" whispered Baumgar
ten.
CHAPTER XVI.
Al l.