Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1909-07-08


| too good or beautiful for her, and he
began to wonder how he had ever
done without her, since she had be-
come the best and sweetest part of
his life. She helped him. encouraged
him. and awakened ambitions he had
thrown aside. In gaiety she was the
most desirable companion. responding
to his merriment with gay little
laughs, and mirthful sallies. In silent
moods she played and sang sweet old
songs that he fancied he had heard
in some dim long ago, possibly his
childhood. And gradually, gradually
they drifted. drifted.
One day they were discussing a re-
cent, notorious divorce case. Mrs. Fox
listened with smiling gravity as he ex-
pressed his pronounced views. When
he had finished she looked up; the
tragic light in her beautiful gray eyes
deepened perceptibly.
why are you so bitter? One would
naturally infer you had had expert
ence"
Not exactly of my own. You have
heard, have you not, that my father
divorced my mother? 1t was all equal.
ly as scandalous as that one the papers
were so full of the other day. ! have
heard my father lost interest in every
thing He lived abroad for years, and
his marriage several months ago was
a great surprise. | am glad, however,
hat Soma woman urac oanoh1a M m a II
ing him renew faith in things. But
/" he paused and gazed rehectively
in the fitful log blaze, Il shall posi-
lively never marry
"Why?" she asked in scarcely an
audible tone, and as he glanced up he
saw her face had paled and momen
tary sense of annoyance seized him.
We'll" he said after few seconds,
II have been brought up on rather
dsagreeable idea of marriage. The
very memory of my mother is unpleas-
ant; in fact, | dislike 10 remember
such a woman was my mother. / do
not doubt that my father was a cold
hearted, exacting sort of chap, but
there is no excuse for a wife-a
mother-to forget. And / believe all
women are either bad or good
"Oh, please" she said, making pro-
testing gesture with her small, jeweled
hand
Il am really sincere in making such
a statement. There can be no medium.
If a woman takes one step from her
pedestal, there is smirch that can
never be effaced."
Il wish you could believe different
ly," she murmured Surely you've
known few women well. and there
must be some justifiable divorces"
A slow smile crossed his face. Then.
suddenly he rose and moved to her
chair, catching her frail, white hand
and pressing it with warmth.
Yours was justifable. | believe in
you
After he had gone she sat down in
the chair he had occupied and cried
softly.
That evening Prescott dined at Mrs.
Catherwoods As usual. the conversa-
ton drifted to Mrs. Fox. Trescott did
not object; on the contrary, it pleased
him.
But Ned Mrs. Catherwood OBJ
served, turning a significant smile up
on him, surely the difference in your
ages will be a serious drawback"
Now, what on earth do you mean,
my dear foolish Florence?' Trescott
lighted cigarette, and Mrs. Gather
wood, with the habit of many years
abroad still upon her, followed his ex-
ample.
Mean" she tossed with a merry
laugh. why, it's plain as day, Ned
that she is hopelessly, violently, in love
with you"
"Bosh!" Trescott exclaimed, smok
ing vigorously.
Its true, nevertheless. you dear in
nocent, Come, Neddy, no one blames
you for loving the charming Mrs Fox,
but marrying her-why that's a horse
of different color And it's really ru-
mored Such things happen, too, and
are not considered extraordinary"
"Of all rot" AT first Prescott
laughed, then he frowned and tossed
the half-smoked cigarette i'm the FIRE.
There is absolutely nothing between
us but beautiful friendship of the
sweetest and purest nature. Yet. IL ii
is possible that have made a mistake
and she really cares, as you say, can
never go to her again.
Gracious" exclaimed Mrs. Gather.
wood with low, light laugh. Would
that honestly stop you, Neddy? What
conscience!"
1T might not stop me with another
woman" declared Trescott, but with
her Ii is different But can do with.
out her? She is everything, every.
thing to me-" He spoke as though he
were talking TO himself, scarcely
aware of Mrs. Catherwood's presence.
Then, my dear" she said slowly.
while twisting her rings and watching
their brilliancy, IF that is the case,
your only cure is marriage"
lie said nothing and she went on
swiftly: 1T will be tremendous
shock TO your friends. You know
your tragic-eyed l,dy is divorced and
Won have exploited your IDEAS IN