The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1912-06-27

dropped the little curtain,
Nancy had drawn hsrssls
VAV deep into her corner end w~s
suobtng a. n her heart would
break.
For a long time watched her IN
silence. She cried steadily. her face
buried In her arm. II hurt me more
than anything ever had. and yet what
could I do. what comfort could give
n woman I had 90 married? II was
even possible that my very presence
Vas the reason OF her tears. Finally
Z stretched, out n hand to her timidiy.
At my touch upon her arm she
looked up.. and although her eyes were
full OF tears, and her sobs still came
gaspinkiy. she smiled Into my eyes,
Are you 20 unhappy" asked.
mo, /, am not unhappy--I--I am
free. we havS really left that dread
full house. ,havp, We .not7 Do you won
der that l must cry q littie--I have
held myself no long. and now am
here. You win never lot them take me
back. will your"
Never" promised. I ached to take
her in my arms. that she might feel the
strength Of me. the absolute certainty OF
my protection. But let her rest outlet,
all alone In her corner. TO sob the weight
Of her fear away. For myself had
much TO think of. q future to. plan, .
lifetime 10 consider. but I let the fu-
,ure 90 for the moment. 20 sft and
watch her. curied thers bssils me IN the
great carriage. waS pleasure too sweet
to mfss.
A. our carriage turned into Twenty
third street my wife sat up and dried
her tears. smoothing the disarray Of her
hair and setting her dress 20 rights Win
little pats and shakes that were wonder
sui 10 see. This was better. and was
much conIfortsd. For n che could take
thought OF these thinss she was surely
getting away from her fright ana sor-
row. I could not keep from wonde ring.
even At that moment. what sine feared
and what she had suffered. and In what
manner she had been persuaded TO give
herself to me so docilely.
you'd question her ~ soon A. I
dared, I thought. as soon a. she was
strong enough and composed enough
to talk over such matters with me.
IIt would be best for us both that !
should know something OF her life:
that should be prepared to meet the
future. But. stii. there was time
enough; would not trouble her with
questions until knew that she was
ready for their answering.
Where are We Going" she asked.
| IT thought that you knew" I said.
II haven't looked yet. Let us See"
And put my hand in my pocket
land drew out the envelope. Nancy
came out a little from her corner.
| In the envelope were ten ten-dollar
bills. a lease for a twenty-acre farm
and tickets reading TO Marbury. .
town evidently somewhere on the line
OF the Pennsylvania Railroad.
I'VE are going to be buried. ! said'
Does the prospect frighten your"
She did not answer me. but she did not
look as II she were afraid. Our carriass
was drawing np before the Pennsyivania
ferry house. I put the envelope with
the monay and the lease back In my In
side coat pocket. but kept the tickets 'n
my hand. A porter took down our lug
gare ana checked the trunk. then I
stepped TO the ticket office. and inquired
OF the agent the whereabouts OF Mar
bury. He said II was a local station
about thlrty-flve minutes from Phlladel-
mia. The express, he told me, was JUST
l about 10 leave; II would make fair con-
nections with my local at philadelphia
I turne ed 10 find Nancy. for the time was
nearly up. But Nancy was at my elbow
"Oh. hurry" she said. and caught me
by the sleeve.
..There Is plenty OF time" answered
I've have two full minutes yet"
glanced up at tho clock. II was little
later than had thought. Outside there
was hanson drawing up Win ter
rifle clatter. There Is a man" thought
I. "who Is later than we are"
Nancy tugged again at my arm. She
looked frightened now. so I ran after
her through the gate. and Il was very
lucky that did. for II shut after vs..
!, We were the last people through, and
felt rather sorry for the man who hat