Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1911-10-10


bitter feelings toward his old friend
He was not only ssrrrised. but asham
cd. As the day wore 81 he was seiz
cd with alarm. Markhams wife wa
coming out 10 him with condolences
with emotions which. though the,
thrilled him. seemed altogether tos
sacred to be impaired To any one no
near and dear to her.
In a month Ellison was back in New
York. He had not written Markham
| and had no intention OF writing him
Indeed. he had engaged passage fol
| South America and was waiting fol
the steamer TO sail. dreading the while
/ that be might run across his old
| friend
On entering his hotel one morning
the clerk tossed him note. He look
ed at the superscription and lost some
of his color Ii contained an invita-
ton from Paul Markham 20 dine with
him that evening. the missiye ending
with why didn't You write. old
man? Ii ii hadn't been for Winnie |
wouldn't have known anything about
your movements"
So he must face the friend he had in
jured in thought if not in deed How
! could she after all that had occurred
/ between them have enabled her hus-
band to discover his arrival in New
/ York? He thought over every possible
excuse. and though all We're possible,
none would serve the purpose.
On his arrival al Markham's house
4 Pauls friendliness, affection even, cut
him 20 the heart Come right in. old
man; Winne's expecting you with the
same pleasure that | am" He led the
/ guest into the drawing room. where
| he was received with teiltale blush
rather than cordially "oh. why"
moaned Ellison to himself. did she
put him on to my being in town.
What the deuce is the matter with
you twoT' exclaimed Markham. You
look as if you had been doing some
thing you are ashamed Of"
The lady's blush deepened, and an
expression of excruciating pain passed
over Ellison's face.
well. come into dinner" pursued the
host. I'm going to get it out of one
or the other OF you before we've fin
| ished."
Though the words struck Ellison
with terror, Markham did not seem TO
consider the matter as serious. The
host ratified on during the earlier
courses, evidently delighted at seelng
his old friend; Winifred appeared i'll
at ease. and Tom looked as IL he were
J sitting on "A hot gridiron Finally the
host said with apparent seriousness:
TON, do you remember our CONVEX
sation some years ago about man be-
ing obliged to beware of another mans
wife,"
Ellison breathed an almost inaudible
"Yes."
And you poohpoohed the idea that
you would ever have to struggle with
yourself under such circumstances to
treat me honorablyr'f
Toms face expressed agony and was
red as a cocks comb.
well. it looks as though Whine had
been tempting you and you bad fall
en-"
Paul. Wlnifred looked command
to desist
"Now. see here. Wnne didn't you
on that Journey to Chicago propose to
my friend to run away with YOU"
paul. you have no business to-
"Never mind that. Didn't Your
Eyes, but
Snow, Tom. how did you receive the
proposition
whatever the fault, it was al
mine" fatered Ellison.
at wasn't any such thing. You're 9
man OF honor. 1t was the woman's
fault. Such things always are"
Il assure you. Paul." protested Eli
son. ''your wife was simply carried
away by passing emotion"
"My wife?"
"Yes. and a lovely wife you have
too"
81 have wife? Not muchl
wouldn't trust one of 'em out of my
sight"
Ellison looked from one to the OTHER
in establishment Winifred was both
blUshing and laughing.
This has gone far enough. Paul.
she said. please explain"
For heavens sake" exclaimed Eli
son. "let me out Of this or I shall col
lapsep'
"Well, old man." replied the host
"you do look a trif1e ratified, and I've
had all the fun | am entitled to al
your expense. Know. then. that re
membered your high toned words about
resisting the temptations thrown out
by friends wife. and ON meeting you
in the station on the eve Of your de
partrre for Chicago ] saw an oppor
tunity to show you that was right
introduced you to my sister as my
wife and told her to go for you. She
did it beautifully"
Beads of perspiration stood out over
Elisons face. He took out a hand
/ anu Nipth thSA
emptied glass of wine that stood be
fore him. This was followed by q
look something between love and re
proach at Winifred. after which be
went on eating his dinner.
"Paul," said Winifred severely, "nev
er again will lend myself to another
Of your abominable pranks."
mot iii J ask you to do another
man." was the complaisant reply.
"All l ask" put in Ellison. ''is thai
If the opportunity occurs you will DE-
it all again"
Anything you ask" replied the lads
by way of atonement, SIS granted"
[ "Nnru unu Carinn rnn1r hrnthn