Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1912-03-09
CHAPTER lI.-contlnued.


"You know I wouldn't, Annie" he
uaid earnestly. Not one second have
j ever regretted marrying you-thats
honest to God"
A faint flush of pleasure lit up the
young wife's face. For all her as
sumed lightheartedness she was badly
in need OF this reinsurance. II she
thought Howard nourished secret re-
rrets It would break her heart. She
could stand anything. any hardship,
but not that She would leave him at
once.
In a way she held herself respon-
sible for his present predicament. She
had felt deep sense of guilt ever
since that afternoon in New Haven
when, listening to Towards 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
bin to the minister who declared
them man and wife.
Their marriage was a mistake, OF
course: Howard was in no position
They both realized their folly now.
But what was done could not be I'M
done, She realized, too, that 1t was
worse for Howard than 1t was for
her. 1t had ruined his prospects at
the outset of his career and threat
ened to be an irreparable blight on
his entire life. She realized that she
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
an her eyes the enormity of crime
She should have seen what socia
gulf lay between them. All these
taunts and insults from his family
which she now endured she had fool
sshly brought upon her own head. But
she had not been able to resist the
temptation. Howard came into hel
life when the outlook was dreary ant
hopeless. He had offered to her wha
seemed a haven against the cruelty
and selhshness of the world. Happi
ness for the first time in her life
seemed within reach and she had no
the moral courage to say mo"
II Annie had no education she wa.
not without brains. She had sense
enough to realize that her bringing III
ar the lack of it was an unsurmount
able barrier to her ever being ad
united to the inner circle OF Howardi
family. II her husbands father hat
not married again the breach nigh
have been crossed in time, but hi
new wife was prominent member o
the smart set. a woman full of aristo
cratic notions, who recoiled with hor
TOR at having anything to do with
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 thi
went for nothing-because unaccom
panied by wealth or social position
Annie had neither wealth nor position
She had not even education. The.
considered her common, impossible
They were ever ready to lend an ca
TO certain ugly stories regarding he
past, none OF which we're true Ate
their marriage, Mr.. Jenries, ST., an
his wife absolutely refused to receiv
her or have any communication wit
her whatsoever. AS long, therefore
as Howard remained faithful to hel
the breach with his family could neve
be healed.
Have some more stew, dear" sh
said. extending her hand for her hu,
bands plate.
Howard shook his head and thre,
down his knife and fork.
I've had enough" he said desponC
emily. Il haven't much appetite"
She looked at him with concern.
Poor boy, you're tired QUIT"
AS she noted how pale and dejecte
he appeared, her eyes filled wit
sympathetic tears She forgot tn
appalling number OF cigarettes b
smoked a day. nor did she realiz
how abuse OF alcohol had spoiled hi
stomach for solid food.
81 wish l knew where to 60 and &c
that $4,000" muttered Howard. hi
mind still preoccupied with Coke
proposition. Lighting another Gig,
rette, he leaned back in his chair an
iapsed into silence.
Annie sat and watched him, wisl
ing she could suggest some way I
solve the problem that troubled hin
She loved her husband with all he
heart and soul. His very weakness
OF character endeared him the nor
70 her. She was not blind to b
faults, but she excused them. HI
vices, his drinking, cigarette smokin
and general shiftlessness were. sh
~<zuaed. the result OF bad associate