The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1911-03-10

vitally necessary. like all other Chris
tian laws, to the social welfare o.
the Church"
Then you think that for me tc
remain. wifeless, and eating my
heart out for Vernon, is for good
OF the community
"lt certainly would were you en-
during such a state OF things because
you felt It was for ule greater glory
OF God that you should so suffer
But many other considerations inter
vene You are proDaD1y being pun
ished now for your own fault in the
past"
As he expected, Lionel fired up az
this. whatever was -rue, that was
not. He was the innocent party, he
was blamelcss 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-Chrlstian had
/ been Lionel's own view OF marriage
| in how wrong a spirit he had origi-
naIy entered into its responsible
t,es-in how cOwardly a fashion he
and his wife had evaded its natural
obligations. 1t was a new point Of
view to Gladwyn, and he listened in
deep surprise that there was actu-
ally something to be said for a po-
sition which he had taken for grant
ed was untenable.
Then, should | find my wife,
he said at last. you really think
that have duty towards hero
Certainly ! do. She is your wife.
and always will be-"
And where does Trent come in?"
"Trent?" 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 speecIL He stood star
ing with dilated eyes. Mrs. Trent!
Your wlfe," was all that he could
say. His mind was away, with jim
his muchloved, miserable Jem, and in
his heart he was calculating. THANK
God" as he thought of the peril
escaped.
We'll" 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
n most unhappy woman"
Unhappy"
Il should put It more strongly; de.
sparing"
Gladwyn stared for a moment.
Have you had much to do with
herr"
Very little. But | saw her, week
or two ago. at picnic; and her
! face has dwelt in my mind ever
| since If ever | looked upon a woman
who had tasted the full bitterness
of the consequences of her sin, |
should say that she Is that woman
You see-she is very proud"
That's true; always was,' corro6-
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,
to the man she had injured when the
scoundrel who had taken all and civ.
en- nothing, left her to bear the
whole result Of their joint sin. \
lower woman, woman with a mean.
er soul, would have uttered some
cry for pity Her courage and pride
bade her suffer alone"
Lionel grew red with resentment
What would you have had me do?'
he cried. You speak throughout as
If | 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.re-
spect. DO you not owe her some
reparation?"
Then you have the face to sit
there and suggest that 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 luxury
with this wretChed man whom she
has befooled, while I?-cant you
see how l have suffered? Is it moth.
ing 10 YOU all these years of en-
forced widowerhood that have I'M
dergune in the prime of life. Just
when am in my full strength"