Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1909-10-22
CHAPTER VII.

ne early morning some days later.
Bishop winstanley was shown into my
Office, A glance sufficed to tell me
that he was laboring under unusual
excitement. He waited for my clerk
to leave the room, when he announced.
| without prelude.
"A most astonishing thing has hap
pened Mrs Arson Dimes has sailed
for America"
is 1t possibIe." ! exclaimed. Il
thought she meant to remain abroad"
$50 she did. So she did--indeinite-
""
And are you disposed to regard her
change of plans as Significant" ! In
| CURED
He looked at me oddly
"The question shows how little you
! know the lady he remarked.
| smiled. The situation seemed
amazingly funny to me. But the bish.
op was not inclined to- regard Il as be-
Ing at all so.
Then you await her coming with
some anxiety" ! observed
"As matter Of fact. with the great
est anxiety"
| muttered my polite regret at this
unexpected and startling crook in the
straightness OF his affairs.
He made no reply, but leaned back
in his chair, with perturbation writ
ten large on his handsome and ordin-
arily composed features.
Mrs. Dimes evidently believes In
going after what she wants--to use a
common expression" remarked.
He nodded, dismally.
"She is famous for it, he said.
"What she determines upon neither
heaven nor earth can dissuade her
from. And she is evidently determined
this this marriage shall be carried
through"
BLESS mel" I murmured.
my own inclinations in the matter
seem not to enter in," he said grimly.
Then you have sent her an answer
to her remarkable document
"Oh, at once"
MAY I inquire II 1t had the ring Of
flnality to itg'' asked.
tThe flnality of an ultimatum." he
assured me.
Dear me. and stili she comes." /
exclaimed
And still she comes he echoed.
what do you propose?'' inquired.
II am little bewildered," he con
fessed II must, however, find a way
to extricate myself"
Then you do not mean"
No, indeed. 1t is not. you under
stand, as II the lady had any senti-
ment in the matter To decline an
offer of--matrimony Is never quite
easy, fancy"--and the bishop smiled
less griInly-"but to decline 1t when
one is assured chat no affection enters
table. Mrs. Dimes is very clever and
far-seeing, and she regards this mar
rage merely as an enterprise. She
has become convinced that she can do
more good in the field she has chosen
as my wife than as Arson Dimes wild
ow; Arson Dimes was good fellow.
but not philanthropist, you under.
stand-nor bishop. Mrs. Dimes never
overlooks the possibilities Of any sit.
uation. She doesn't care rap for
| me. She was devoted to her husband,
, and she isn't the sort of woman who
loves twice. Why, you see yourself
that she distinctly proposes that we
| shall occupy different continents"
And you7"
Il have. unfortunately. my own
| plans'
Which are not concurrent with
| hers?"
In no way concurrent" he replied
with emphasis.
Yours is not an enviable position"
/ admitted
"Enviable," he cried. II should
think not. You understand that my
sister is arrayed with her against
me?
bowed. There was a moments
| silence.
| Mrs. Dimes has contracted the
habit of succeeding In what she under.
takes" be observed presently. 1T Ii
most uncomfortable habit for all
| parties concerned. as / am always tell
ing my sister, who seems herself to be
/ on the verge Of falling into f."
Miss Winstanley Is most success.
full woman" made enthusiastic com.
! ment
Undoubtedly" he agreed; ''but ]
insist that successful women may pile
up trouble and anguish for themselves
and others. 1t Ii SO amazing when
they fail that they resign themselves
badly to IT,"
Il see," said I.
+Mrs. Dimes will not like coming
across to meet with failure" he re-
marked. II wish 1t might be spared
her. / also wish knew how TO ease
the situation all around. Have you a