The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1911-05-11

(Continued.)

Copyright, 1910
By George H. Doran Company

AS he expected. Lionel fired up at
fflis. Whatever was true, that was
not. He was the innocent party. he
was blameless. The woman, as In
Eden was the sole aggressor Father
Conroy then said to him much that
he had before said to Vernon. He
pointed out how un-Christian had
been Lioners own view of marriage
in how wrong a spirit he had orl-
EinaHy entered into it's Responsible
ties-in how cowardly a fashion he
and his wife had evaded its natural
obligations. 1t was a new point or
view TO Gladwyn, and he listened in
deep surprise that there was actually
something to be said for a position
which he had taken for granted was
untenable.
sThen, should I find my wife," he
said at last, ''you really think that
have a duty towards herr"
Certainly I do. She is your wife,
and always will be-
land where does Trent come imp
."rrent?H echoed Mr.. Conroy, be-
wildered.
Lionel faced him. 81 saw my wife
this afternoon, in Mrs. Bardsley's
drawing-room."
Overwhelming surprise bereft the
Father of speech. He stood staring
with dilated eyes. Mrs Trent! Your
wife, was all that he could say. His
mind was away, with Jem-his
much-loved, miserable Jem, and in
his heart he was calculating, THANK
Godr" as he thought of the peril es-
capped.
Well" said Lionel triumphantly.
when he had allowed time enough
for his news to sink in, what do you
think of that-eh? She looks like a
penitent, doesn't she?"
"she looks" was the reply, like a
most unhappy woman"
"Unhappy?"
Il should put it more strongly:
despairing."
Giadwyn stared for moment.
Have you had much to do with
her?" =.
Very little. But I saw her, a
week or two ago. at a picnic; and her
face has dwelt in my mind ever since.
If ever looked upon a woman who
had tasted the full bitterness 5of the
= L, IL et% Il
say that she is that woman. You see
She is very proud"
That's true: always was,'' corrob-
Grated Laura's husband.
THAT being so, the one wrong
step taken committed her finally.
Having deserted and betrayed you,
there was, from her point of view,
i'm turning back. She would not sue
10 the man she had injured when
the scoundrel who had taken all and
given nothing, left her to bear the
lower woman, a woman with a mean
er soul, would have uttered some cry
for pity. Her courage and her pride
babe her suffer aione''
Lionel grew red with resentment.
What would you have me do?" he
cried. You speak throughout as if
1 were to blame"
so you were. You should have
followed her across the world and
done your utmost to bring her back
she would not have come"
You did not try. And she has
waded for years through the pitiful
mire of existence without self-res-
pect Do you not owe her some rep
aration ?"
there and suggest that 1 should go
away and hold my tongue, and sur
render my own hopes, and all that
! have to look forward to? Leave
her to the enjoyment of every lux
ury with this wretched man whom
she has befooled, while I.-can't you
see how l have suffered? Is it moth
ing to you, all these years of enforced
" l0OH lIdI 1dNO undergone
in the prime of life, just when I am
IN my full strength ?"
YOU mistake me-" said the Faith
er quietly. II by NJ means counsel
you to leave her in her present life.
On the contrary. 1 am quite sure that
it is your duty to persuade her to
quit it."
To take her back, perhaps?" said
Gladwyn, with a sneer. The other
man met his eyes with a clear stead
mess, before which his own fell, he
hardly knew why.
This is a hard saying. Who can
hear it?'' said the gentle voice.
Even if she would come away,
which seems to me almost out of the
question:" muttered Gladwyn, in
choked tones,-s,..do you. realize that
vnu are condernning me to a life of
misery with wife who could be no
wife?"
x think that any sort of life to-
setner would pe impossible to You
both now. But 1 am convinced that
you should offer her the chance to
aS,.nna from bor rraSont hondap opd