The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1909-11-11

STILL w ATER,
yently assured him that he had yet
many years to live if he would only
make me his cOnfidant and let me treat
,im for the existing illness which Inow
clearly saw was mental. He replied:
There is only one who can cure me
and this without medicine. She is deaf |
to my most earnest entreaties and with
out her l cannot and will not live" To |
my surprise he was speaking of his wife
and give in a few words, as l remem-
ber them today, his explanation of the |
position in which he was then placed.
In order that correct understanding |
of the subsequent events may be clearly
understood it will, however, be we'll to
mention first a few traits of Jacks |
character which have bearing upon this
history. Jack was now forty years of
age and yet possessed the heart of a i
child in all the actions in which his
heart was concerned. He seemed to
trust every one and his purse was al
ways at the disposal of any erstwhile
friend who might have a hardluck story
to recount. His generosity was excess
I've and his desire to avoid giving offense
so great that have even known him to
partake OF drink to excess rather than
give Offense by refusal. A weak trait
you will say in his character and yet,
1 who knew him so we'll, could but ad-
mire the motives ST his actions, while
others would condemn the result. l
have seen him rush headlong into a
raging current to save life and actually
succeed, though only poor swimmer
himself and when questioned as to the
reason of so jeopardizing his life his
only answer was, 81 did not stop to
think" OF the Iovable characteristics
which endeared him to so many it is
unnecessary to recount here and what
has already been said has been su fficient
as bearing upon his own words.
"You will remember, Charlie, m y
marriage after such brief courtship.
Like everything do, it was hasty and
at the time of occurrence | had not
given proper thought to the indissolu-
bility Of marriage. l guess when [ first
met Madeline both she and were lone
some, being orphans, and each longed
for true companionship. The marriage
began with respect developed into love
and with me it became consuming
passion. You are already aware of the
skeleton which exists in my family,
but of which l did not tell my Baby
until after our marriage. Here was my
first mistake and you also knew how
taking upon myself the burden of this
family secret-the same has led to quar-
rels and separations, which however,
thank God, have only been temporary.
OF the happiness which has been ours,
at other times, you have been witness
and even expressed jealousy. If ever
there have been 'soulmates' it was sure
ly Madge and I. Now. Charlie, while
told you that my wife has been away
visiting friends during the past six
weeks, 1 have only told you part of the
truth. She is with friends, but she has
lett me and for good. l would have
confided in you before but l have lived
each day, sinking into deeper agony
of despair, yet hoping against hope that
the great love which has existed in
the past would weigh against the pres.
ent and she would return. What ]
have dreaded for years happened on the
last Sunday we were together. l had
been out fishing when on my return
was greeted with coldness where
looked for affection. 1t seems some
worthless fellow whom had befriendeG
in the past had located me and my
skeleton The object of his visit was un
doubtedly blackmail and in my absence
he told his distorted version of affairs
to my wife. Is it not strange that she
should credit the words of worthless
scamp against her own husband? Such
however, is frequently the case where
| jealousy exists. l will not dwell too
long upon this painful interview. Suf
fee it to say that this man recalled tht
alliance which had existed between ny
brother and the late Mademoisellt
w as one between her and me. III,
spoke of the two girls-the outcome O1
that secret union-ss my children anC
though I have permitted the world *
believe they were mine by a forffel
marriage, yet you who knew the true