Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-12-13
A Ring at
The Doorbell
BY LOUISE IDA ROSS
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association.

fre-they had not yet lighted the fur-
nace--and the room was agiow and
redolent with the pleasant odor of
burning wood. The children had been
romplng. Mr.. Trevor carrying Bonnie
pigabaek aud Willie on all fours. but
their mother had now taken them all.
including the girls. up 10 bed. tucked
them fn. kissed them good night and
had returned with her. sewing. which
she was doing by the big lamp on the
table. while Mr.. Trevor read maya
zine -
There was ring at the bell.
Now. for many years there was some
thing in tie ring Of his doorbeli that
cast a sober look over Samuel Trevor's
face. But TO explain the reason for
ti1fs IL Is necessary TO 20 back to the
time when no was very young man.
When lie was but eighteen his IA
ther. Who was lumber merchant.
sent his son TO lumber camp that he
might learn the business which would
one day lie his. from the beginning.
There Is danger TO all persons Of that
age OF inexpericnce and recklessness
that, they may make mesalliance. and
on that account 1t Is a bad plan TO take
them away from young girls OF their
own social circle and place them
among their interiors. And where
would young man Of refinement and
people more his interiors than IN a
lnmher tnmp7 Anicng the girls there
Was nsdsc Hopkins. the daughter Of
= linibcrInhn. several years older than
Trevor. who lured him into indiscre-
lions With her. then threatened him
With vengeance II he refused to marry
her. He did so. but Immediately left
the camp.
An effort was made TO annul the
marriage. hut II svne unsuccessful.
Then the woman offered to refrain
from Troubling her husband IL his "a
Their would support her. Re,nittances
were sent regularly fot a season. when
suddenly a newspaper was received
coutAlnihg Q notice Of her death No
doubt yus felt of the truth Of the no.
tice when several years had passed
aud. no renittances having been sent
no demand was made for them.
sTwslse years after the conclusion
Of this episode Samuel Trevor married
Agatha Beach he told her all about
IT before being engaged TO her. not ex-
pressing i doubt that his arst wife
was dead. "yon mat he sure of that"
said Agatha. ''or she would be draw
Ing the likelihood out Of you" Never
thelcss Trevor. having had nothing
but the death notice to prove to him
Madge Hopkins demise. never felt alb
solutely sure And that was the rea-
SON Why a certain dread was con-
hectcd With the ringing OF his door
bell
A maid In neat uniform OF black
and white went 10 the door. and
the wife and husband heard wom-
ans coarse voice ask for Mr.. Trevor.
Then. without waiting to be announced.
the caller brushed past the maid and
into the sitting ROOM
Hello. Sam" she said.
Trevor put his hands to his face aud
trenibied. Ii was Nadge Hopkins.
and. judging from her appearance. she
had been growing coarser with every
year. ~
AIRS. Trevor ran to her husband and
pat her arms about bin as IL TO
shield him from the blow.
~ needn't be afraid o me-" said
the woman, Ii you'll give me some
thin 10 live on"
why did receive that notice OF
your DEATH faifered Trevor. i;
Il air't got uotbin' 10 do With that.
amt got nothin' TO live on Send
them remiftanccs that was dropped 4
and I'll let y alonc-"
Mamma cried the oldest daughter,
a girl OF ten. from above. What's the
mattery'
Leave your address and CO." said
Trevor. eager, 20. GET the woman out
Of he bosse before the chiisItcn should
learn who she was
The address was given. aud the wo-
man went away. Then after = silence
Mr.. Trevor said:
'Don't worry on my account. dcsrie.
Ny position is not pleasant. but Whist
is Il compared with the interest OF
you and the children: BE comfcrted-
We vii. keep toe secret serd the re-
'mittsEces regularly and 10 o'e win
10 the wiser"
But Mr.. Trevor had no intention OF
letting tho matter rest vherr il was.
8 shreuj woman. she iriievrd that
there hkd been some weak spos in
Nads< Hopkins record which was &C.
countRhle for The spurious des;h no
tee and the fsIipre 10 claim the re-
miftsnceS.
Il wss bat a week after This. vhsn
Trcror came home one evening from
business that his wife rcceired BIN
With radiant esrntenss nee that tosiea