Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1912-12-18

00Cu0g our ana Their apartments. II
seemed to me that her face should
wear sad expression, but she showed
no trace of the ''roasting'' she had en-
dured. Indeed, she greeted me with a
smile, and her smiles were beginning
to go straight to my heart. l could
not refrain from referring to her sis.
ter and was conscious of frown pass
ing over my face at the mere mention
Of her, but Grace appeared to be un-
conscious Of any wrong done her by
Margaret and spoke Of her as usual
This I attributed to her forgiving ma
ture.
But 1 was soon after destined to re-
ceive a shock. One evening when l
came in from business my sister came
into my room, closed the door behind
her and looked at me in way that
told me she had some bad news for
me.
IL have noticed your growing at
tachment for Grace Bernard" she
said, land, considering the mystery
that hangs over these girls, have
been very much worried. Some time
ago l overheard Margaret violently
rating Grace for something. and took
a violent dislike to her for doing So"
IL overheard that, too" put in.
'Today l overheard another trouble
between the two. l could only catch
snatches Of what was being said, but
nh tn q
after all, Margaret was right. This
morning I overheard Grace making
the most appalling confession to bel
sister, Grace seemed so crushed by
what she had done, so penitent, sc
filed with despair. that l found my
self weeping for her. And you should
have heard how nobly Margaret talk
cd to her. She was motherly as vel
as sisterly and was as encouraging a:
could be expected to one who ha6
sunk so deep In shame"
"Tor heavens sake!' I exclaimed
horror stricken. Ibid you learn thu
nature of the crine?"
"Only this: heard Grace say, moan
Ing all the while: On my life, whe1
1 went to live with Harry did no
know that he was married. I believ
ed myself to be his lawful wife
When he turned me off l was 81
sunken that all sense Of shame ha(
gone out of me. and when Maynard
took me up'"-
I heard no more, for, burying my
face in the pillows on my bed. pu
my hands to my ears to shut out thu
rest Of the horrid revelation. Betty
quietly withdrew and left me to re
cover from the shock alone, knowing
from experience that this was thu
best way to comfort me-, And Thu
was the finale of that blessed content
ment which for weeks had been steal
ing over me. realizing as l did that
loved and was loved; this the girl t.
whom my affections had gone out
How could she have been able to hea
those first tender words l had Spoken
| to her knowing what she was? Hal
| she possessed a spark of real purit.
| she would have WINGED at being ad
| dressed as addressed her, she know
ing the while what she was. Bet hat
said that she was penitent. Had sh,
| grieved for her fall it would hav'
| been impossible for her to accep
what l had said to her with tina
| modest look on her face. Her sci
| control had been marvellous. But
have always heard that those deepes
! dyed in iniquity maintain consuln
mate assurance.
What should do? Not for the wor,
would meet again the girl who ha
| deceived NE. arose from the bed an
| began throwing some clothes in a sui
asked me where I was going, and toll
her anywhere that would prevent m
meeting that shameless girl again. Be
tried to quiet HE. but it was no ust
was frantic. Fortunately l couldn
so away that night, for l had not d.
cided where to go. Bet made me prom
Use that would not so in the mornin
without seeing her and left ME to mS
self. She brought up my dinner to M
and managed to swallow fe,
mouthfulS. After dinner l went GU
and walked the streets till late, the
went in and to bed
| lawoke shortly before daylight wit
realization Of some frightful troubl
hanging over me, but it was not till
had rubbed my eyes that l relnembe
ed what it was. Then the whole thin
rushed upon me. went down
breakfast and drank a cup of coffee.
knew that it wouldn't do for me to al
pear at the office in my present cond
ton of mind, so l telephoned that
was indisposed and would not go dow
before afternoon. Then l sat down
the library and took up the mornin