Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-03-25


1t was incredible. Peter took it very
hard. 1t was his first experience In
not getting what he wanted.
Instead of-being grateful to Mrs.
Wrest for not accepting him, every
unmarried woman was angry with her.
1t was not long before scarcely wom-
an save Mrs. Rowland visited Mrs.
Wrest. She was Mt liberty now to read
and play the violin as much as she
chose and to sew for all the poor that
needed new garments, all because she
had refused Peter Meredith, whom no
body wanted her to have.
Why had she G:ri, It? There could
be only one reason. che had no bust
ness to marry! She had husband
living from whom she had no divorce!
Though Mrs. Wrest was apparently
conscious of the increasing feeling
against her, she made no sign. She
still attended church regularly, wear
ing black and sitting alone in her pew.
apparently unconscious of all who
were so fiercely conscious of her. She
was sitting thus one morning perfectly
still. with her small hands folded and
her face lifted to the minister.
The church was unusually well filled.
and Mrs. Wrests pew was the only
one where there were vacant sittingS.
The ushers understood that when there
ceased to be room elsewhere strangers
might be shown to places beside her.
and so now, when man entered the
vestibule very late. he was taken at
once to Mrs. Wrest's pew.
He was tall man, with a pointed
blond beard and blond hair just slight
~ gray. distinguished looking and
handsome. Mrs. Wrest moved little
and lifted her eyes. Then her face
went suddenly white. and she crumpled
forward in dead faint.
The stranger lifted her up and with
out noticing any ones interference bore
her into the vestibule. Mrs. Rowland
and a few others rose instantly and
followed after the twain.
This is my wife," the stranger ex'
planned tersely. as there anything
! you can do for her?''
She opened her eyes and looked
! straight into those Of her husband
! who was holding her as If he would
F., never let so again.
"Gordon" she said and tainted away
: again.
Next day Mrs. Wrest had ceased Il
, be mystery, for Mrs. Rowland told
+, all she knew. and she knew a great
deal. She had heard the whole story
| from Editha, while her husband sa
by ready TO affirm every word.
| Gordon WreSt was the heir Of al
old uncle who had once been i'm low,
with Editha's mother. Not feelins
able in justice to provide for Edith,
as he wished, he left his money t.
| Gordon. only on the condition that b,
marry her. So Gordon carried out tn,
old mans wishes and became possessed
both of Editha and the fortune
All went well till Editha found on
the condition of the will. and o
course she Immediately thought tina
Gordon had married her for tn,
moneys sake alone. She was youn,
and foolish and passionate, and with
out stopping to ask her husband :
question or reason with herself sh,
| gathered up what was hers and fed
She thought she would seek out som
little place. make herself home an.
settle down to life of seclusion an,
good deeds.
| Her husband had found her by tn
merest chance. II have spent tire
years of my life looking for you." b
said. when wreck delayed me her
for few hours and / decided to g
to churchill had no idea of the cor
sequences. 1t seems as If kindl
fate must have led me to your YER
side. Editha. if our long separation
has accomplished nothing more |
must at least prove to you that Low
you.'
"And the future" Mrs Wrest said
looking up into his face with such
smile as her face had never befor
been seen to wear, "must prove that
love you"