Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1910-03-10

Mrs. Wrest had indeed refused him.
It was incredible. Peter took 1t 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 at 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 done 1t? There could
be only one reason. She had no busi-
ness to marry! She had a 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 q 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
/ ly 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 vcstibule. Mrs. HowIand
and a few others rose instantly and
followed after the twain.
"This is my wife" the stranger ex-
planned tersely. SIS there anything
you can do for herr"
She opened her eyes and looked
straight into those of her husband,
who was holding her as If he would
never let go again.
Gordon she said and tainted away
again.
Next day Mrs. Wrest had ceased to
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 sat
by ready to affirm every word.
Gordon Wrest was the heir OF an
old uncle who had once been in love
with Edithas mother. Not feeling
able in justice to provide for Editha
as he wished, he left his money to
Gordon. only on the condition that he
marry her. So Gordon carried out the
old mans wishes and became possessed
both Of Editha and the fortune.
All went well till Editha found out
the condition of the will, and OF
course she Immediately thought that
Gordon had married her for the
moneys sake alone. She was young
and foolish and passionate, and with
I out stopping 10 ASK neT uuSDuNu
question or reason with herself 81 {
gathered up what was hers and fed.
She thought she would seek out some
little place, make herself home and
settle down to life of seclusion and
good deeds.
Her husband had found her by the
merest chance. II have spent three
years OF my life looking for you" he
said. when a wreck delayed me her,
for few hours and | decided to &C
to church | had no idea of the con
sequences. 1t seems as II kindly
fate must have led me to your very
side. Editha. If our long separation
has accomplished nothing more II
must at least prove to you that love
you"
And the future" Mrs. Wrest said
looking up into his face with such 8
smile as her face had never before
been seen to wear, must prove that
l love you