The Appeal., 1909-08-14
IN; but don't come back without It.

on; but don't come back without 1t.
Now hurry! f.
The maid permitted herself mo-
mentary stare of bewilderment; then
with the tact of well-trained SER
want she bowed and disappeared.
Half an hour later they brought
Raymond Reissinger home in an un-
conscious condition. ISL
Mrs. Reissinger met the doctor in
the corridor, and clung to his arm in
an agony of entreaty. you think
there's no chance, none?" she cried,
through ashen lips. The blood had
settled like indigo about her great,
black eyes, and every muscle of her
face was twitching.
I'm afraid there's little hope, Mrs.
Reissinger. Reissinger has always been
subject to these attacks, and I long
ago predicted what has happened. He
knew it himself, and his affairs have
been kept in shape for an emergency.
He would not distress you by men
tioning-''
At this juncture Mrs. Reissinger
swooned, and had to be carried to her
room. It was hours before she re-
vived. Her first question was of her
husband. His condition was prac-
tically unchanged; he might linger
for days, or he might go at any mo.
ment, leaving her-free!
When she could gather strength to
raise herself on her pillow Mrs. Refs
singer reached over to table near
and secured pencil and sheet of
paper. Her hand shook so she could
scarcely write, but this is what she
finally managed to scrawl:
"Your insolence is, beyond compre-
hension. My husband is good, kind
man, who has devoted his life to my
happiness, and today he is dying. You
have insulted me beyond pardon, and
1 hope that I shall never look upon
your cowardly face again"
When Valerie came in Mrs. Refs
singer called for an envelope, into
which she slipped the piece of paper
and addressed it to Randall Hudson.
The sudden entrance of the physician
caused her to thrust it quickly under
the cover and close her eyes. When
he bent over to listen to the beating
OF her heart she stirred and looked
up.
Dr. Burton heaved sigh of relief.
You're all right" he said. II was be.
ginning to think perhaps we were 20
Ing to have siege of another sort
in this house. I've good news for you,
Madam"
Mrs. Reissinger looked up with d.
lating eyes. "You mean?"
Exactly; your husband will get
we'll. Much to, my surprise, he be.
came rational an hour ago. He is
improving rapidly, and if we're care.
full We'll have him out of here in q
week." .aa-,A..
She took a deep breath, and for a
long time lay with folded hands, white
as wax against the not less white
coverlet. Her lids had dropped, as
though in sleep, and the doctor stole
noiselessly from the room. AS soon
as he had gone Mrs. Reissinge1
touched the bell at the head of her
bed. Valerie appeared instantly.
"That letter-did you get it from
the postofdce?"
Eyes ma'am. Here it is." The maid
reached into her pocket and pro.
duced the missive. 'ra
The other woman opened it with
eager fingers and scanned the lines
hurriedly. A little smile fitted over
her wan face, and her lips parted
tremulously. She felt under the sheet
and drew forth the last letter she
had written, and tore it into fine bits
Then she slipped the first one into
the envelope that was already di
rected, and gave it back to Valerie.
"Take it back to the postof1lce at
once," she said. II was under the i'm.
preston that 1 had made a mistake
but I haven't" ~.
When the maid had gone she left
her bed and crossed the room to the
telephone. She rang up Randall Hud.
sons number, and he answered him.
SELF
Without calling any names she said
"You will get my letter this after.
noon. It will be impossible for me
to keep the appointment, but come to
me tonight-here."
Then she hung up the receiver and
crept back to bed. She covered her
face with the sheet and sobbed hys,
terically. ....
Signs of the Times.