The Detroit times., 1910-01-08

In view. | played the hypocrite, and
let her think me every simple kind
OF fool she wished. derived bit
ter-sweet satisfaction from the game.
for OH her part she pretended TO be
ardently attached TO me. We spent
the hours building castles In the air.
weaving pretty fancies of love In a
cottage. and long life shared to-
gether. She said she had friend, an
old kind-hearted gentleman. whom she
could depend upon 10 find me some
employment, as soon as | was per
fectly restored to health. was then
to turn over a new leaf and live an
honest, hard-working life, and she
would be my wife, my comforter, my
devoted helpmate to the end. IL was
a very pretty dream, but the strange
and bitter feature OF II was that |
sighed for II TO come true. ] was
tired OF my rascality My long i'll
ness had made changed man OF me.
and II | could have believed In Mar
ions avowals. | would have been as
happy as q king to mend my ways for
her sweet sake. and never do shady
thing again. Once or twice | tried my
best TO induce her TO explain TO me
the mysteries connected with Sir
Chas. Venner's secret society OF con-
sumptives which | had been unable
to fathom. On that subject. however.
she maintained an adamantine reti-
cence.
The drama took another week TO
play out. BY that time was quite out
OF danger, and, although still painful
lly feeble. my physician assured me
that I should soon be able TO leave
my bed. Marions JOY at that knew
no bounds She covered me with
kisses. and insisted that she should
write forthwith 10 her old friend. 10
inform him of her whereabouts, and
the hopes she reposed in him for our
happiness and welfare
what Is his name, sweetheart? |
asked. had not troubled TO Inquire
before.
She gave me bright smile. "rll
tell YOU on our wedding day. she
replied. 1T is little surprise that
am keeping for you. dear"
NY thought was: She Is, after all,
n moor hand at invention" | felt con-
yinced that she was simply paving
the way with her letter for her escape.
and when she went out TO post II, |
cried aloud in my bitterness of spirit:
tomorrow morning there will come
n telegram. and she will leave met
So II happened She was seated by
nv bed. reading me the morning
Journals, when. of sudden. knock
sounded on the door. and walter en-
tered with a wire upon salver. For
Nurse Hampton" he announced.
such was the name she gave the hotel.
Marion started up with a little cry
of delight that echoed Itself In
anguish in my heart. ] knew what
that envelope contained as well as
she. Holding my breath. watched
her with critical intentness. But |
had no fault TO find. To the very last
she maintained her part playing it
like the unimaginablv perfect actress
that she was. Tearing 1t open, she
read its contents with an expression
Of happv expectation. which quickly
changed before my eyes to fear and
passionate concern.
Mon Dieu," she gasped. and crush
ing up the paper In her hand, she
turned to me. Agar" she cried. me
IS very III. dying they saw, and he
needs me. must go to him at oncel"
had expected II. expected II for
DAYS. and vet. none the less. the blow
was stunning when Il fell. Indeed. in
my experience. u Is always the long
preyised calamity which causes most
dismay. For a while could not speak.