The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1911-02-17
CHAPTER Il.-Continued.

CHAPTER ll.-Continued.
you know l wouldn't, Annie" he
said earnestly. Not one second have
i ever regretted marrying you--that's
honest to Cod"
A faint flush of pleasure lit up the
young wifes face. For all her as.
.sumed lightheartedness she was badly
in need Of this reinsurance. II she
thought Howard nourished secret re-
grets II would break her heart. She
could stand anything. any hardship,
but not that. She would leave him at
once.
In way she held herself respon.
,sible for his present predicament. She
had felt a deep sense OF guilt ever
since that afternoon in New Haven
when, listening to Howards impor-
tunities and obeying an impulse she
was powerless to resist she had flung
aside her waitress apron, furtively
left the restaurant and hurried with
him to the minister who declared
them man and wife.
Their marriage was a mistake, OF
course. Howard was in no position
TO marry. They should have waited.
They both realized their folly now.
But what was done could not be un-
done. She realized, too, that II was
worse for Howard than IL was fer
her. 1t had ruined his prospects at
the outset OF his career and threat,
ened to be an irreparable blight on
Ato hA hot a
was largely to blame. She had done
wrong to marry him and at times she
reproached herself bitterly. There
were days when their union assumed
In her eyes the enormity Of a crime.
She should have seen what a social
gulf lay between them. All these
taunts and insults from his family
which she now endured she had fool
ishly brought upon her own head. But
she had not been able to resist the
temptation. Howard came into her
life when the outlook was dreary and
hopeless. He had offered to her what
seemed a haven against the cruelty
and self1shness of the world. Happi-
ness for the first time in her life
seemed within reach and she had not
the moral courage to say mo"
II Annie had no education she was
not without brains. She had sense
enough to realize that her bringing up
or the lack of 1t was an unsurmount-
able barrier to her ever being ad
mitted TO the inner circle Of Howard's
family. If her husbands father had
cd O
have been crossed In time, but his
new wife was a prominent member OF
the smart set, a woman full Of aristo
cratic notions, who recoiled with hor.
Tor at having anything TO do with a
girl guilty OF the enormity OF earning
her own living. Individual merit, in
herent nobility of character, amiabili-
ty OF disposition, and a personal repu-
tation untouched by scandal-all this
went for nothing-because unaccom-
parted by wealth or social position.
Annie had neither wealth nor position.
She had not even education. They
considered her common, impossible.
They were ever ready to lend an ear
to certain ugly stories regarding her
past none OF which were true. After
their marriage, Mr.. Jeffries, Sr., and
his wife absolutely refused to receive
her or have any communication with
her whatsoever. AS long, therefore,
as Howard remained faithful to her,
the breach with his family could never
be healed
Have some more stew, dear" she
said. extending her hand for her hus-
bands plate.
Howard shook his head and threw
down his knife and fork
I've had enough" he said despond-
emily. 81 haven't much appetite"
She looked at him with concern.
Poor boy. you're tired OUT"
As she noted how pale and detected
he appeared, her eyes filled with
sympathetic tears. She forgot the
appalling number OF cigarettes he
smoked a day, nor did she realize
how abuse Of alcohol had spoiled his
stomach for solid food.
81 wish knew where to go and get
that $1,000" muttered Howard. his
mind still preoccupied with Co1e's
proposition. Lighting another ciga-
rette. he leaned back In his chair and
lapsed into silence.
Annie sat and watched him. wish
ing she could suggest some way to
eolve the problem that troubled him.
She loved her husband with all her
heart and soul. His very weakness
OF character endeared him the more
TO her She was not blind 10 his
faults. but she excused them His
vices, his drinking, cigarette smoking
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