The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-10-28

sI have been brought low" said John Shil stern1y, "but not so low as to marry a woman who has deceived me. That would be worse hell than the one in which live already. The woman I marry will have to be my second self; shall have to see severy- thing through her eyes"
 What do you mean7" she cried nercely. What have done save love you with all my heart and soul7 Why do you insult mel"
 "Thers is no need to be angry, Leo nore." he replied gently. we have to talk this thing over quietly. I want to do what is best for the happiness of us both. You know how little love I have to give; but if we are to be happy, I must respect my wife and trust her thoroughly. How is it that you never told me of the death of Laura's childT'
 why should tell your The acci- dent was reported in every newspa- per"
 estil, one would think you would have mentioned 1t. I'm afraid, Leo npre, that you did not wish me to know"
 why should I conceal it from your" she cried. Why should I think you DO devoid of all honor as to imagine that the news would make any differ
  would break your word to me. If you knew that the tie which bound Laura to her husband vas brokenT'
 A faint flush can.e into ShiI's cheek. The argument was unanswerable.
 Well, Leonore.'' he replied, after q pause, i've will let that pass, though 1t is odd you should never have men tioned matter of such importance. . But there is another question want you to answer. Is 1t true that you were once the wife of Sir William Tankerlane. and that you only divorced him three months agoT
 Leonore looked at him with terror h her eyes. She knew that sooner or later this question might have to be answered. But she did not expect It to fall from the lips of q man whose only happiness in life could come from marriage to a woman who loved him. .sIs this true?" Shil repeated sternly.
 "Yes," she replied in a low voice, 1t Is true. Who told you7"
 Laura. I thought it merely the rav- ing of a disordered mind. It was im- possible to believe it.
 'sIt Is true enough. intended to tell you before we were married. or course I knew that Laura or her hus- band would tell you"
 She spoke deflantly. She knew that the mere fact of her having been mar ried to Tankerlane would have but lit- tie weight with John Shil. She only feared the inference he would draw from the fact.
 For his part he was too astounded to form any definite ideas on the mat ter. The confession had started doz- en different trains of thought, and the whole history of the lives of Leonore, Laura and William Tanker1ane re- quired readjustment. He passed his big bony hand across his forehead, and tried to see things in the new light which had been thrown upon them. His first thought was for Laura, and 1t was of her that he first spoke after a long silence
 @Then you" he said slowly, you were Tankerlane's legal wife, when he first went through a form of marriage with Laura and the child was hlesiti~ mate"
 herself into a chair, ana was staring at him with fear in her eyes. She knew to what end this train of thought would lead him.
 "Laura,H he continued, gripping the edge of his chair, twas T2nkerl@nes mistress will remember that.
 She did not speak. but she tremDiso as she saw the fury gathering in his hard face.
 seThfs man.s he shouted rising to his feet with clenched hands and Q face distored with rage, "dishonored her, ana she sold herself to him m erder tnat [ might escape the conseouences of my crime. I will remember t1at' Tankerlane; will remember tnAt.
 aNo.n cried Leonore, you are mis- taken. Not even for you would Laura have sold her honor She thcugnt tnat ~ ata was Tanker1ane's wife. till we all shrea chanced to meet in Paris. pad moi then seen him for many years
 aAnd you told her the truthF
 .sT told her the truth. she was a great friend of mine, and tnousnl '. trst ahe wanted some excuse-some rss son for leaving him. I offered 70 divorce him. so that he could marry her. and make some amends Tor ms diahonorable conduct But she would moi hear of 1t; she insisted on leaVlns him. She did not know--she did Iet suspect-there is nothing else taaE I need tell you" |. soraethin geIse that I wish to know when did you persuade her 70 narI -rankarIane? was 1t that time when I followed you to widley Street!"
 "Yes." she replied. was it not inc right thing to dor IheEe wsa the child to be thought
 
 They were married at registry once. 1r fine eyes of the world they have heen married for over two years. No breath of scandal has touched her rep utation. until the day you--
 "Don't speak of me" he exclaimed. T would do as much again if thought it would serve her. But, Leonore, tell me whv you went out of your way to nersuade Laura to marry Tankerlane?
 T did the right thing" she replied angriiy; "there was nothing else that she could debut did not come here fo be cross examined. I came because wanted to see you. and to help you; because I thought you were In trouble, and lonely, and that you would like the company--of friend"
 Her voice faltered, and her eyes hiled with tears. The man, bent and rug red, stood before her, and his great body lowered above her, as though he were going to strike. His hands were clenched, his face was hard and cruel, his voice cold and judicial.
 "You will best help me-" he said quietly, ''by telling me the truth. You persuaded Laura to marry Tankerlane