Charlevoix county herald., 1911-08-19

being said about my character, isn't
he, doctor? And I'm not going to
stand In his light, even II II doesn't
exactly make me the happiest woman
in the world, but don't let 1t trickle
into your mind that I'm doing 1t for
his fathers sake"
At that moment Howard entered
from the inner room. He was sur
prised to see DR.. Bernstein.
How do you feel to-day?" asked the
doctor.
First rate! Oh. I'm all right. You
see. I'm Just going to eat bite. Won't
you join us?"
He sat down at the table and picked
up the newspaper, while Annie busted
herself with carrying In the dishes.
mo. thank you." laughed the doctor.
tits too early for me. I've only just
had breakfast. l dropped in to see
how you were" Taking up his bag
he said: "Good-by! Don't get up. I
can let myself out"
But Annie had already opened the
door for him, and smiled a farewell.
When she returned to her seat at the
head OF the table, and began to pour
out the coffee. Howard said:
He's pretty decent fellow, isn't
he?"
Yes" she replied, absent-mindedly,
as she passed cup of coffee.
''He made a monkey of Capt Clin-
ton all right" went on Howard. what
did he come for?"
ITO see you-of course" she re-
piled.
"Oh, I'm all right now." he replied.
Looking anxiously at his wife across
the table, he said: You're the one
that needs tuning up. | heard you
crying last night. You thought / was
asleep, but wasn't. didn't say any.
thing because-well-I felt kind of
blue myself"
Annie sighed and leaned her head
on her hand. Wearily she said:
Il was thinking over all that we've
been through together, and what
they're saying about US"
Howard threw down his newspaper
impatiently
Let them say what they like. Why
should we care as long as we're
happy?"
His wife smiled sadly.
Are we happy?" she asked. gently
"Of course we are" replied How.
ard
She looked up and smiled. It was
good to hear him say so, but did he
mean it? Was she doing right To
stand in the way of his career? Would
he not be happier If she left him? He
was too loyal to suggest Il, but per.
haps in his heart he desired It. Look
ing at him tenderly, she went on:
Il don't question your affection for
me. Howard. l believe you love me-
but I'm afraid that, sooner or later
you'll ask yourself the question all
your friends are asking now, the aues.
tion everybody seems to be asking"
What question:" demanded How.
ard.
Yesterday the bell rang and a gen.
tleman said he wanted to see you.
told him you were out, and he said
I'd do just as well. He handed me q
card. On it was the name Of the news.
paper he represented"
"Well?"
"He asked me If It were true thai
proceedings for divorce were about
to be instituted II so, when? And
could | give him any information on
the subject? l asked him who wanted
the information ,and he said the read.
ers of his paper-the people, believe
he said over a million of them. Just
think, Howard! Over a million peo.
pie. not counting your father, your
friends and relations, all waiting to
know why you don't get rid of me,
why you don't believe me to be as bad
as they think am"
Howard raised his hand for her
to desist.
"Annie-please!" he pleaded.
That's the fact, isn't it?" she
laughed.
NO"
His wife's head dropped on the table
She was crying now.
I've made a hard fight, Howard"
she sobbed, "but I'm going to give up,
I'm through-I'm through"
Howard took hold of her hand and
carried 1t to his lips.
Annie, old GIRL" he said, with some
feeling. II may be weak, | may be
blind. but nobody on top of Gods green
earth can tell me that you're not the
squarest, straightest little woman that
ever lived! don't care a damn what
one million or eight million think.
Supposing you had received letters
from Underwood, supposing you had
gone to his rooms to beg him not to
kill himself-what of it? 1t would be
for a good motive, wouldn't It? Let
them talk all the bad of you they want.
| don't believe a word of it--you know
don't"
She looked up and smiled thro@gt
her tears.
You're so good, DEAR" she en
claimed. "Yes, know you believe in
me-" She stopped and continued, sad.
lv. "But vou're only a how Won know