The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1910-01-20
CHAPTER XXU

CHAPTER XXII
Carroll was on the point of leaving
his office in order TO meet Irene at
Burlington House. He was putting his
papers together somewhat nervously:
dreading. yet secretly longing for, the
interview before him, when that har-
binger of evil and mischance, the tele-
graph boy, knocked loudly at the street
door The telegram was for him.
Come home, Agatha very ILL.," ran
the message. which in a moment put
all thought of anything else out of his
head.
His interview with Irene must of
course fall to the ground. II he did
not love his wife, he had at least never
failed in his duty TO her; and her state
of health rendered him always scrupu-
lousy anxious to show her every at
tention in his power. He sent for
hanson. and prepared to go home as
quickly as possible. But he groaned in
spirit as he did so. What fatality it
was that separated him eternally from
Irenel Again she would believe him
TO be false and untrustworthy.
With a bursting heart and an agony
of apprehension, Rupert Carroll found
himself at last in Chester Square. He
opened the door with his latch-key and
rushed up the stairs, not knowing
what he might encounter or what ter
rible news he would be met with. Nat
urally he went to his wife's bedroom
the door stood wide open. and the
room was empty, He felt bewildered.
Y ID
the adjoining room. which was hers:
lis that you. Rupert"
How is Agatha?" he asked, hoarse-
~. Where is she, what has happen
ed?"
Nothing at all, why do you look so
frightened, Rupert? She was a little
faint once this morning. but she got
better after lunch; she is in the draw
ing room. | think. She went out by
herself for little walk this afternoon,
but / have seen her since she came in.
she was none the worse"
Rupert stalked away down to the
drawing room with the hardest feel
ings he had ever entertained towards
his wife. boiling in his heart Agatha
lay upon the sofa. She smiled at him
as he came in. but her smile grew a
little pale and faint when she saw his
angry face. He held out the telegram
to her.
Did you send this telegram" he
asked.
Now don't look so savagely at me,
Rupert" she answered, trying to
speak lightly and playfully, though she
was secretly frightened. Surely it is
no great punishment to you to come
home an hour earlier than usual to
your wife,"
Answer my question Did you send
this telegram? Yes. or no?"
We'll. yes; but it was only a little
joke. There is no harm DONE" she fall
tered.
mo harm, No harm in a lie like
that? You have singular ideas of what
is no HARM Mrs. Carroll. There is
some deep-laid plan In all this" he
continued angrily;" and insist on
knowing what it is. Why did you
send it? Tell me the truth, If you
please"
Then Agatha. too, lost her temper.
ITO prevent your going to meet that
wretched girl. A wife is perfectly JUS
titled in stopping her husband from
running after other women by any
means in her power consider. / was
determined to prevent you from going
to her; and 1 have done so. 1t is too
late now. See! it is five minutes to 6.
You could not get to your appointment
now; the hour is overl"
Rupert became suddenly calm.
Pray. how did you know that had
an appointment with a lady between
. and o'clock?" he inquired, gravely.
but very sternly You must have
opened my letter to herl"
'Ah. you admit it then, You admit
that there is a lady that you were go
ing to meet Oh. but it is shameful
disgraceful. You. married man. And
as to her-why. she must be the worst
and wickedest of womeni"
Take care. Agatha, You are going
too far. You may say what you choose
of me, but forbid you to use violent
expressions about that lady"
Miss Garland, / SUPPOSE" she
sneered. beside herself with uncon-
trollable jealousy.
Rupert sat down quietly at thu foot
of the sofa.
Il viii make no concealment. Her
name is Irene Garland Shall / tell
YOU about herr"
There was a dangerous glitter H. his
eyes; he felt that he could never for
give her for what she had done.
She is engaged TO be married to a
rich man, and people say she is selling
herself for his money" she said
breathlessly.
Very likely. / know nothing OF her
enga cement, or it's motives What
do know" he went on. in a low. con-
centrated voice that rang ike the knel
of her doom through her heart. lis that
irene Garland is the best. and sweet
=. and dearest woman on Garth. tina;
is the only woman | have ever
cd. or ever shall love: and that
ad it not been for the dreadful acct
dent which. to my endles IS regret. made
me your husband. | should have been
married to her long ago"
She flung herself round. face down
wards. upon her cushions. sobbine
wildly
"Oh! you are cruel, or lel," she cried
Why do you say such terrible things
to me?"
Because you brought it upon your
self" he answered coldly. How dare
you open my letters. and meddle in my
affairs?"
HAS not a wife the right to stoT
her husbandw from doing what Is
wrong" she moaned.