The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-08-04

tears. as she exclaimed:
"Oh. George! II is so good to meet
a friend once more"
II am sorry that you should ever
have known the want OF one, my dear
But. Stella. did you not first marry a
man by the name Of Travers?"
Yes. But do tell me OF Nellie
Where is she?"
Married and living In the west. She
wrote to you repeatedly after leaving
your home. Why did you not answer
her letters?"
II never received one OF them
George. see | shall have to tell you
my story. much as I shrink from do
ing 80. felt, however. that you have
the right to know IT, II is a long and
painful one" she said. sadly.
Never mind the length, Stella
Please tell me all OF it--everything."
II will. You remember. perhaps
that when Nellie came out to spend
Christmas with me seven years ago
she and my husband had never met
Well. when she arrived. he was away
on business trip, but we were hourly
expecting his return. as he had de
clared that nothing should keep him
from home at Christmas time. In the
midst OF our preparations. however
came your telegram to Nellie. telling
her that you had been hastily called
home and that she must go with you
knowing that your mother must be
very Ill, | turned my attention toward
helping Nellie get of In time, and be
Ing far from we'll myself. so much
exertion, coupled with anxiety fol-
auntie and sympathy for poor Nellie
brought on one of my old nervous sick
headaches. At the last moment / was
unable to go even TO the depot with
her. much as I wished to meet YOU"
Il remember. Nellie explained II
to me at the time"
| well, after seeing Nellie of, l went
to bed, hoping that rest In a darkened
room would enable me to recover my
strength before my husbands return.
But ! was not very successful. and
the next morning set about making
little preparations for his comfort
with my head still throbbing with pain
and an energy which would have
tagged most YEARLY but for the Joy
OF anticipation. Judge OF my surprise
and anguish OF mind. then, when a
messenger came with letter from
Ernest In which he said--but wait, |
have 1t here. II has nver left my
possession"
She took from her card case letter,
worn from much handling, and after
saying Listen" read 1t aloud:
Madam
"All night have been here in my
office, settling my affairs. and now, at
this hour-almost noon-eyerything is
complete.
Il have made careful but not ex-
travagant provision for your support.
do this so that IL the scoundrel
should desert you there will be some
thing for you to rely upon. To avoid
public scandal, shall take no steps,
more for your sake than my own,
although you do not deserve 1t. But
wish to never again see your face.
Thank God that Their care no children!
ITO prove to you how Justly I have
acted In this matter. and how useless
1t would be for you to attempt to deny
anything. will explain that got of
the train just behind you and your
companion. saw your face distinct
see his at all. II was enough for me
to hear him call you darling Then,
before I could recoved from the numb
ness which overlook my senses, he
had hurried you into the train and
you were OF. do not doubt that you
will be at home In time to receive me
today. 30 to spare you trouble In the
arrangement of so delicate an affair,
leave the city finally this afternoon.
ERNEST"
AS she concluded she broke down
and wept.
There, George, what do you think
Of that letter for man to write to a
loving wife. who, racked with physical
pain and distressed In mind. was still
happily preparing to make his home
coming Joyous one?"
TRY to calm yourself. my child, and
answer my questions" said Wilson
soothingly. Then. after a moment. he
gravely asked:
Hove you ever attempted to set
yourself right In your husbands eyes.
Stellar"
Attempted to set myself right, in
nocent as was? Never, George! How
dared he accuse me unheard?
dared he accuse me unheard?"
But how 1t Is that you are here in
New York. without money, when he
took care to provide for you?"
"Oh, George. you are man. too, and
you are looking at II from his point Of
view" Then. growing heated In her
argument. she holly asked:
do you think any self-respecting
woman would touch money offered un-
der such conditions? No! It was
easier to sew for living. And would
you have had me remain In my old
home where. sooner or later, my
friends would have discovered that
was a deserted wife? Besides"
she hesitated, and finally added: IL
did not want him to discover that
there was child" Her eyes dwelt
fondly upon the littl efellow. as he
sat In the far corner Of the room, I'm
mersed In the pictures OF some maya
zines which Wilson had given him
when his mother first began her mar
rative.
II thought SOL" exclaimed Wilson,
springing to his feet. He walked the
floor excitedly for few minutes.
But you are wrong. Stella; all
wrong. You should not have kept the
knowledge OF the child's birth from
his father"
well. did II. And what Is more.
he never shall know It," she said In q
bitter and relentless tone.