Middletown transcript., 1911-01-28
By MINNIE DOUGLAS

-
fession brought him into close
proximity with women Of all
ages, classes and morals; but, at
forty five, he was still a bachelor.
None Of them had penetrated the
sacred regions Of bis affections
and caused him to abandon his
freedom. And now this strange
girl she was little more with
her wide-open gray eyes and her
element of mystery bad attract
ed him strangely.
1t is almost superhuman-this
combination of brains and
womanly modesty. The confident
way In which she intrusts her
course of action to me is-a-
most refreshing. He turned to.
the mirror, adjusted his tie,
Strengthened bis wsistcoat, and
glanced approvingly at the
luxurious covering on top Of his
head. After all, the sweet, old
fashioned, trusting women are
the most desirable. We've had
a surfeit of the self reliant sort.
Perhaps that's why I've been
rather more than professional
this afternoon.
His eye caught the address on
the manuscript It was cheap
neighborhood, and, coupled with
this, he remember that the girls
clothes, though becoming, were
inexpensive. He glanced at the
card she had left, And she is
Mrs. Forester, no mused; pro-
baby with a good-for nothing
husband and three or four
e.
children.
Mrs. S. Forester, however,
continued to occupy a prominent
place 10 the managers thoughts;
but he attributed it wholly to the
interest be had in her play. He
was absorbed in it, revising it,
correcting, eliminating. There's
something decidedly illusive
about her, he soliloquized, paus.
ing over a marginal note; some
my stery that's peculiarly facinat-
!, ing. At last he became so obsessed
with the desire to see her in her
home that he made business the
excuse to call. That q peep in
to her surroundings would dis
pei the halo his imagination had
created around her, he had nc
doubt. It was a most unusual
, proceeding, but he would do it.
When he rang the bell of the
: little fat, weak, masculine
voice bade him enter. He fouud
himself in small sitting room
A pale, thin man reclined on tht
couch and at sight Of stranger
raised himself on one elbow.
! beg your pardon, said Nor
rison. I'm sorry-to disturb you
I'm seeking Mrs. Forester.
The man sank back exhausted
and breathing heavily. My wife
isn't home from the Office yet.
: expect her any moment. Pray
be seated. It's rather good tt
see a fellow creature. It's fright
!, fully slow lying here day afte
day.
I Mrs. Forester is out all Gay
! asked Morrison, seating himsel
. beside the invalid.
: Yes, poor girl! She had t,
: take up stenography to supper
g us. My health broke down jus
!. after we were married, and it,
r hard to keep things going. I
does look as if we never woult
Z be better of.
: Morrison was surprised. Coult
b it be that she had not told tn
man Of her success? If she ha'
g his outlook would surely b
! more optimistic. You have n
d hope of better things? he queried
oil None; I'm down and ont.
The fact that Mrs. Foreste
ell had not mentioned her success
] increased the mystery surround
|, ing her. Morrison was almos
/. afraid to speak, lest he disclos
r the wife's secret, and he felt tina
she had sufficient reason 70
|! keeping her own counsel.
d I'm Morrison, of the he be
Q gan, guardedly.
II The invalid started.
III Dexter Morrison? he shouted
y his face flushing, his dull eye
flashed Ike Steel. Then yoi
. must have come about my plays
: It is ! you Want-not my wife!
! Oh! CALCULATED Morrison. Fl
!. felt as il he had slipped from
o high altitude, dragging som,
e one with him.
s OF course, went on Foreste
confidently. She only does N,
!, tipping and sends them ont.
II Exactly, said Morrison, tryinl
!. to adjust himself to the ney