The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1909-09-09

CdAtAAg " ASSUME bHoN al
of outraged virtue? If he didn't approve
of our going to the theater together as
friends, he might have made a guess that
We were married"
Perhaps he did, and thought no better
of us for it, she said, in the same tone
as before.
"Why on earth should he not?" he
asked, staring at her in amazement, not
unmixed with anger.
She, too, showed more warmth
Il suppose he looks on me as a woman
who has not scrupled to take the legal
place which before God belonged to an
other woman"
''That is rather far-fetched to be a
mans view of the matter" Stewart said,
with an angry laugh; then he asked stern
ly: us that what you feel?"
Hardly, or / should not be here"
The answer was prompt and proud
and his eyes softened at it. though he
spoke as determinately as before.
Whatever opinion he may have evolv-
ed from his inner store of self-righteous-
ness, there is only one course open to me
that is to write and inform him of our
marriage, and also of the fact that we
haze NJ desire for his further acquaint-
aIce'
Mrs. Stewart looked, as she felt, sur
priec3. and said:
nut that might lead to something
w.iol would upset the whole scheme"
Hardly that. There is no necessity
to give nm any address. But even il it
were to spoil the whole thing, we cannot
leave him in any doubt as to your posi-
ton
A glow of kindliness softened her face
with its warmth and light.
She was ashamed at the remembrance
of the bitter thoughts of the night watch
es. when she had judged this man as care
less of her honor and his own.
And it is no such great risk" he went
on. HE is not at all likely to run up
against any of the Orkwell people, or
even to see us again for some time to
come"
All the same, it is very good in you to
risk it, she said, gently.
An unmistakable air Of qualification
responded TO her more gracious attitude.
though he only muttered in an abrupt
fashion: Not at all. not at ALL"
There was silence for a few moments,
and then Stewart began again with an
evident effort.
There is one thing 1 want to say be-
fore we get there. You must remember
that if the whole scheme should get blown
upon. it wouldn't be such dreadful trag-
edy after all.
"Say that the facts came out, and I'M
der Flora's influence, my father turned
crusty; well, / am a fairly prosperous
man in the Northwest, and on my father
death / could always let the place, and
get big rent for the shooting. / be-
lieve, though, that a very few years more
of hard work out there, with the Orkwell
rent to invest, would enable me to live
ON the place Would two or three years
as a settlers wife be a very hard or
deal?'
There was a certain usefulness in
his voice which she might have detected,
if it had not been for the swift vision
that came over her of that house on the
prairie, haunted by that other womans
sorrow, and with that little white cross
on the slope against the sky.
1t was not the dread of long, solitary.
winter days, but the shadow of Stewards
past, that sent an involuntary shudder
over her, though, he, keen to notice it,
put 1t down to the dread of such hard
ship.
She laughed dryly: ave should look
rather silly with such a marriage manque
on our hands"
1T need not necessarily be that" be
said, in rather an indistinct voice, with
his head turned to stare out of the win.
doy.
She thought that she had caught those
words, but she could not be quite sure
and, puzzled and uncertain, remained ST.
lent.
They had lunched, they had finished
their papers, and chatted by fits and
starts, before, in the early afternoon
hours, Stewart began to recognize with
growing interest the landmarks as they
passed.
At last he said: ours is the next sta
ton. There is the beginning of Orkwel
woods. By heavens. that woman sham
drive me out from the old place without
a fight for it" With such warlike sen
tir ent, he made ready TO alight.
There was an evident air of excite
ment ON the platform among the small
SCI tered groups of farmer folk and vii
lage worthless, and Mrs. Stewart, lookin.
on. saw her husband, flushed and smiling
and visibly touched, as a hearty cheer re
ceived him, and he exchanged vigorous
handshakes with his old friends.
The old coachman on the box of th'
carriage was surreptitiously rubbing hi
eyes, and the footman could do nothing
but grin helplessly.
After all, there is something worth
coming home to-" Stewart said, as tn,
carriage door shut on them.
A long drive THROUGH upland meadow.
and sloping beechwoods; village stree
where the women and children stood a
the doors in their Sunday clothes, anC
dipped and curtsied sharp turn into BIZ
gates past lodge, and an overarchet
avenue curving up before them.
There is the house," Stewart said.
Throughout the drive he had taken sew
eral side glances at his wife, but If b,
were looking for signs of nervousness b,
found none.
As the carriage swept up the slope {,
the great entrance door, Stewart spoke
few words which fairly took away he
| breath.
by Jover' he said. suddenly, as |
under some uncomfortable impulse, IN,
one can look at you and say that l hav
not brought the right mistress for sucl
a home"
She stared, and then laughed outright
but before she could think of any answe
the carriage had drawn up. the massiv
hall doors were flung open, and the gray
haired butler was on the steps.
1t was thus, with her beauty heightened
| by the glow brought by her husband
admiration, that she entered her futur
| home
She felt, rather than saw, the stated.
| proportions of the great hall, for Stew
art had called her attention TO the agi
| tated old man, and she was just givin
him a kindly greeting when her keenl.
| alert senses were aware of the opening o
door, and through that door she saw
advancing a woman's tall, slim figure il
al elaboration of widows weeds.
4 L. n