The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-05-10
By ALICE and
CLAUDE ASKEW
luckily for her, at that moment Mr..
Drydesdale moved away, disappearing

luckily for her, at that moment Mr..
Drydesdale moved away, disappearing
into another department.. She leaned
her elbows upon the counter, and de-
spairingly buried I her face in her
hands. Her husband had deceived her.
For all these years he had wickcdly,
cruelty deceived her! He was no bar
even than Mr.. Parker, the tailor-he
was the proprietor OF Smiths Empo-
rum!
you feel faint? Is there anything that
can do for your The young shop
assistant spoke nervously, and recalled
Mona to sense OF her position. She
must not betyay herself; she must
gather her courage together, at least
for little while. There was nothing
to be done until she met her husband ;
but then--but then!
THANK you, am quite WE'LL" She
drew herself bravely erect. 1T was
nothing. I think this hat will do
nicely" She fumbled with her purse,
and then threw q sovereign on the
counter. She had recovered her self
command. Tell me-" she asked. AS
parcel, lis Mr.-Mr. Drydesdale here
every day?''
Yes. madam, every day was the
reply. 'Mr. Dryd esdale takes the
greatest interest in his business
But 1t is Smiths Emporium, she
faltered. isn't that the name of the
shop? Smiths Emporium" She re-
peatcd the words as though they were
red-hot to her tongue.
quite SO, madam" was the reply:
but 1t is great many years since
the business was founded. oelieve
1t belonged to Mr.. Drydesdale's faths.
before him; but I'm new here myself.
Your change. madam"
Mona mechanically picked up the
coins and then made her way from
the shop. She stepped out onto the
pavement Of the mean. sordid street,
and then glanced up with shld .r
at thes great garish palace that wss
Smiths Emporium. The late afternoon
sun blazed down upon her, but she
felt coldr and shivercd with fain ness.
She scrambled into the hanson. Mrs.
Pemberton making room for her by
her side. and the driver whipped up
his horse.
Mona leaned forward. her arms rest.
Ing upon the folding doors. beea thing
heavily. The parcel containing the
child's hat slipped from her ncrvelcss
fingers.
Good heavens. Mona! what is the
matter with you?"
Mrs. Pemberton. with some difiiculty,
retrieved the lost property. and then
turned her eyes, wide with anxiety,
| upon her friend.
Everything is the matter" gaspsi
Mona. Il have been deceived. basaiv,
wickedly deceived. Oh! Mrs. Pembcr-
ton. do YOU think I could get IL
vorce?"
"a divorce?3 It was Mrs. Pember-
tons turn to gasp. Then. with the
tact that characterized her. she col
lected her faculties together in order,
as far as possible, to assist her fri-rd
to weather the storm into which SIZE
had apparently dritted Tell me
dear" she said gently. what has hap
pened.'
| Her first impression was that Mona
must have run across her husband In
the company OF some undesirable &C
quaintance.
But she was soon to learn the truth
Mona. who. had she been less excited
might have kept her own council
blurted out all that she had seen.
II have found him out!" she cried
wildly. HE must have told me lies
from the very first. He married me
under false pretenses He won III,
love by trick. Oh! I don't know how
I can ever look upon his face again"
She continued to talk incoherently,
too agitated even to cry, and a:owng
her intention Of returning to rcr po
rents, and demanding an nnmed,s tie
| separation. II not a Ii3orss. from ler
husband "And I have given him all
| my love-" 1t was with this waililg
cry that she paused at last for very
| want OF breath.
Mrs. Pemberton had bean waTcana
her opportunity, ard now sne took Il
There was further surprise awaitir 6
Mona. The wears wife took the girl s