Gilpin observer., 1909-11-11

have to pay for the carriage anyhow"
She re-read the letter, and found
that 1t was over four months since
the sad event had transpired. The
news appeared to have been for
warded by donkey-post.
I'm sure don't know what to do"
she reflected further. and then che
allowed the maid to finish dressing
her while she read the other letters.
When all was finished she locked
the whole mail away and put OF fur.
ther consideration until tomorrow
IT'S nobody's business but mine.
any way" she said to herself. and
went on to the ball. The news seemed
to give an added zest to her anticipa-
tions. which were always high where
pleasure was concerned And in
little while she found herself reason
Ing that. since she had been a widow
without knowing 1t for four months.
she might very justiiably go on being
q widow without any one else know.
ing 1t.
Julius Reed was at the ball.
"If he knew" she thought, and
the thought solidified her glimmerings
Of reservation into a most utter inten.
sity
She told no one of the letter, and
! continued the usual routine of her
routs and routes. Her sense of hu.
NOR soon seized on the salient feat.
ures of the case and supplied a new
form Of spice in life.
Have you heard from your hus-
band lately?" julius Reed asked with
Jerk one day. Any reference to her
husband always came out of him like
sneeze.
mot very lately" she said.
How long since he's written your
"Years"-and that was quite true.
do you suppose he'll ever write
again?"
Eleanor considered little. "I should
be awfully surprised II he did" she
said at last.
You could get divorce now" said
julius Reed. You really could"
II shouldn't think OF that" said
Eleanor. 1t would be too silly-all
things considered.
Then he screwed hfs glass firmly
into his eye.
IF your husband was dead" he
said slowly.
Yes, / know all that" she inter-
rupted. Il have known for a long
time. 1t would be no news to me, I
assure you"
Would you marry me them"
I've been wondering that ever
since I first knew"
julius eyebrow took fresh grip on
his glass.
What do you think about IT." he
asked hoarsely.
She looked at him. II was now q
full year since Mr.. Carrick's demise.
Your husband really cuts no figure
in your life." said julius presently.
ITO all intents and purposes, he's
dead"
She nodded.
IF any one was to tell you that he
really was dead. you would not re-
ceive any shock"
No, that's true" she said thought
fully.
TT wouldn't alter your daily life at
ALL"
She shook her head.
Then why not get a divorce and
marry me?"
81 don't like the idea of divorce
It seems SO unnecessary"
You couldn't be married legally
without It,"
She looked at him and laughed.
Il see nothing to laugh at" said Ju-
lius Reed.
Forgive me-" said Mrs. Carrick.
but do"
She went to her desk and unlocked
one of the drawers and took out a pa
per-a letter with a foreign stamp.
Suppose you announce It," she
said. handing It to him. I'll go to
Monte Carlo until the worst of the
blow is over, anG then"
julius had opened the letter and
was reading 1t rapidly. "And them"
he said Observation-Disclosures the let
ter paralyzed him.
Mrs. Carrick laid her hand lightly
on his shoulder. Then I'll come back
to Paris and buy my trousseau," she
said softly.
Julius's eye-glass fell abruptly.
So did Eleanor.