The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1909-07-01
Judge Not.
: = : go ++%+++

resolved to sell off everything pos
sessed Of household nature and 60
abroad for awhile. Having no ties,
children or other relatives, there was
nothing to hold me to any particular
place. One day was clearing out my
late wife's desk when | came upon a
fat envelope. Opening 1t. l found
something that astonished me.
But to tell my story properly must
begin back about FIVE years.
Marjorie and ! made love match.
We were both members of SMART set
10 society and. such being the case,
were not especially ignorant Of the
ways of the world. We both had a
number of old flames, and after mar
riage neither of us was inclined to
eonfine ourself to the exclusive at
tention of each other. After awhile,
however, dropped all The women
had previously loved, retaining only
one, with whom | had platonic
friendship. she was Mildred Burke, a
woman Of excellent sense and fairly
intellectual. Margerie did not seem to
object to the attention Of this friend,
though she did not herself make a
boon companion Of Miss Burke.
was not so satisfied with the con-
tinued devotion Of one of my wifes
admirers, Courtney Stewart. Marjorie
seemed TO like him for the very rea-
sons that | condemned him. He was
reckless. careless. always getting into
trouble and always finding some good
friend to help him out--in short, the
very kind Of man to whom a woman
IS most liable TO give her heart My
wife was always telling me of these
traits, referring to them as something
especially attractive. declined to be
interested.
/ remember on one occasion at the
breakfast table when my wife was
telling me Of one of Stewards esca-
pades ] coldly informed her that the
man was weak. foolish. dishonorable.
l saw a suppressed fash In her eye
and a slight color rise to her cheek.
Il don't expect you TO take an inter-
est In people who are natural, frank
generous. Your kind looks out for his
own interest, is devoid OF sympathy.
never gives himself away. but takes
especial pains to listen to all he hears
DO you refer to any particular per-
song asked, with some hauteur.
"Certainiy-to your particularly pla-
tonic love, Mildred Burke"
We left the breakfast table without
smother word. and there was a cool.
ness between us for several days, but
II gradually wore away, and neither
again mentioned his OF her particular
friend to the other.
One morning It suddenly occurred to
me that my wife was as apt to be
meeting her especial friend as / was
TO meet mine. The thought was not
pleasant. But why shouldn't she have
the same privilege as I? The case was
different Miss Burke was a woman
OF high principle. Stewart was
scapegrace and not to be trusted. The
bee OF suspicion having got into nv
bonnet II buzzed and tickled and
stung till | was beside myself with
jealousy. Had my wife continued to
tell me about the fellows escapades I
should have had confidence In her III.
nocence. As Il was | was sure there
We're clandestine meetings.
did something of which | have ever
since been ashamed. used a detec.
tive. not directly. to spy upon my wife
Il could not quite come down 10 that
but upon Courtney Stewart, which
was just as bad. for II was through
him that ! expected TO trap Marjorie.
! directed my sleuth TO shadow Stew.
art. not letting him know that my
wife was In any way concerned.
AZ the end Of month he reported
that there was nothing bud about
Stewart on the contrary. liz was
popular and respected. Mention was
made u several kindly. impnlsiyc acts
to needy people. 4 llst * women liz
lid ret Was furnished me. and my
'sife's aane MS TIT amnag them.
Tie fef0Ft snatls It'll very mneh
ashamed * myself. especially III ii III.
peaFsi Il tle Tilt my dear WIFI. Ill.
ia 'it Ter frteat.an II hsr friend an.
1000 Hs. hid eiFpn Eirt It'll III coon
A. ! ranl recover some of Hly sFlf fl.
srcct ] devoted myself II treating her
viii every consideration mud iii ms
affection. From that aus untIi her
dcn'h uot 4 cloud came between IL.
And now | come back 10 that fit On.
velopc hive mentioned. There were
IN Il IN woman's hand. All In the
same writing. n number IL documents.
AZ first resolved to destroy them
without m examination. but just as | /
was about 20 do 50 my eye caught the
name Burke. Then read every one OF
them.
That my wife had employed a shad.
over for my especial friend. astonlsh.
ing as II was, was nothing to the re-
port she received on Mildred Burke.
Not q shadow Of suspicion attached TO
her relations with me; but, horrible TO
relate. she was keeping up relations
With another married man that were
Is criminal as her intimacy with me
I'm innoccnf