The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-01-04
THE RECOVERY. A Story of Kentucky
 Copyright, 1908, by JOSEPH A. ALTSIIELER Entered at Stationers' Hall
 All rights reserved
(Continued.l

CT don't know that she wants to be rescued in such a way,' I replied, and then I idded desperately; "I can't be spy, even on Grey
 You are an obstinate man." he said, "and you don't deserve ever to win her.
 Then he went away, whistling some popular air that made only a painful buzzing in my head.
 I had spoken the truth when I told Alicia I was sorry she had come. At first I did not know whether I was glad or sorry, but now I kaew that I was sorry, and it was for her sake Before her obviously lay an ordeal to which no woman should ever be sub- jected She did not love her husband but her respect must suffer when his was disregarded. She saw him made ridiculous in the eyes of intelli- gent people. She knew nothing of the intricacies of politics, of the little rings and cabals, of the wheels with in wheels, but she had a clear mind and she could see that her husband must have little chance for the gov ernorship. Above all she knew that even if he had such a chance he was unfit for it, and would disgrace it, himself and her.
 Grey insisted that Alicia should come into his headquarters at times and make herself agreeable to his henchmen. I heard from Harrison a history of one of these occasions. It is a singular thing, or perhaps it is ilarly situated, that sort of friend ship existed between Harrison and myself at this period
 Clarke he said i've were all in there having a good time. You know what sort of a place Grey's is-the six rooms were thrown together, and ev- erybody was doing just as he d-d pleased. I put in that adjective be- cause nothing else will describe it.. Some were drinking, some were play ing cards, and some were telling stories that no lady could afford to let her husband hear. Need I say that all the bars were down. The front door opened and in came Mrs. Grey all alone.
 "She was not dressed elaborately, some simple gray stuff and no jew els, but I never saw a woman carry herself more proudly. You know what a way she has or raising that head of hers with the wonderful glossy crown on it, every thread spun separately in some celestial workshop, and the look of absilute innocence and purity that she always sends straight at you. Well, some of those hardened scamps were disposed to go on with their noise, until they saw her face, but then they wilted.'
 Harrison paused and smiled, al- though I saw that he was moved in another way.
 q we heard of the work of mis- versions he continued, "but I don't believe any other was so sudden as that The cards were hidden away and the bottles and glasses were shuf- fled as far out of sight as possible. Then if it had not been for Mrs Grey herself the silence would have been absolutely painful, because those men, not being used to purity and good ness don't know how to behave when they are in it's presence, even when they want to do the right thing. But Mrs. Grey seemed not to see their constraint, she was all grace and gen. tie dignity, none of your affected pie ty, nor frivolity nor overfriendliness either, but it seemed as if an angel had come into those rooms, no not an angel either, because she is flesh and blood with passions under that still white face of hers, but lovely un- spoiled child, hardly knowing what unclean thoughts are, despite that 1i- centious scoundrel to whom she Is tied.''
 He stopped and never before had I
  tion. His face flushed suddenly and a spark leaped from his eye. You or l. one will have to rescue Alicia Grey from that man!''
 "How?'
 T know, if she would, but I can't rescue her merely to give her to you. I'd rather see her suffer in purgatory for while yet than to lose my own chance"
 Again I was attracted toward this man and felt for him a throb of friendship. He at least would be a champion of Alicia. But I did not know anything fit to say at that mo- ment and I was silent until his pas sion passed and he resumed his mar rative.
 "She didn't stay very long, he said, "but she did all that a good wife should to further her husbands po- litical ambition. She spoke cour- teously to all those heelers and strik- CTS and dead beats. She said she was glad they were friends of her husband, and both were very grate- ful to them for their support. If she saw about them the signs of dissipa- ton and registering she took no mo- tice, but treated them as if they were just as good as she was.''
 I could see the scene, Alicia's white race ana upllIteO nedu dfnOilS al that battered crew.
 "Well, what then?'' I asked.
 Nothing. She did not stay long, but when she left it was at least half hour until they recovered. But they recovered Don't you forget that, Clarke. In such crowds good emotions are but f1eeting and when the cause is gone they are gone with it. In a half hour the drinking and the gambling and the story telling were in flood the same as ever.'
 The story stirred me as the scene itself had stirred Harrison. Perhaps Alicia, in her purity, was not con- scious of her dull degradation. I felt fresh anger against Grey. because he dragged her among such people. but I was reused from such thoughts by the peculiar gaze that Harrison bent upon me.
 ''I've learnt one thing, Clarke,' he said, which it may interest you and perhaps please you to know. MT. Grey occupies one room and Mrs. Grey occupies another. In some senses MT. Grey is, I am sure, a stranger now"
 I felt my face burning. I hated to hear him speak in such a way of the woman whom I loved, and yet I was glad to know it. But I could not say 
 My motive was good, only" he said
 "sI believe you there,'' I replied.
 CHAPTER XXI.