Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1912-02-16
He Wished to
Know TooMuch
By DOROTHEA HALE

Henderson was always strainlng 10
know something that there was no
need for him to know. II he had had
n wife he would have always been
wondering II she were really devoted
10 him above all other men or II he
should die she would forget him ana
love another equally well. Henderson
WAS not married. but he was engaged
to be married to a girl who gave every
evidence that she had singled him out
above all other men to love.
Both lived on the Atlantic coast,
and shortly before the wedding Hen
derson announced to his 6ancee. Mar
garet Stone. that his presence In San
Francisco was required in the matter
OF certain interests be had there, for
he was well of and lived on his IN
come. Miss Stone was poor. When
he left her he seemed uneasy about
something. and the lady begged him
not to go. averring that she had
forebodlng that something would hap
pen to him. Henderson hesitated. lie
thought he might settle the matter IN
the west by correspondence. But ne
concluded to go. and the lovers parted
with mutual forebodings.
Two weeks later Margaret Stone re-
ceived telegram from her fiance that
he was very Ill. but instructed her not
to come to him. The next day she re-
ceived a message from an Intimate
friend of his who had gone west with
him stating that Henderson was dead,
The friend would bring the body east
In due time a letter came from the
friend. Ian Gregory. that Henderson
had requested before his death that
his body be inferred without ceremony
and that she should not be present
Margaret was much shocked. but
she bore up nobly under the misfor-
tune. She carried out Henderson's In
structions to the letter. emitting to be
present during the interment. Greg
ory when he arrived called upon her,
and it was arranged that the two
should 60 together to Henderson's
grave. Margaret carried plants with
her and put them In the ground so
that they would grow over the grave.
She found In Gregory a sympathetic
friend. He was extremely deferential,
always maintaining a delicacy due TO
one who has experienced a great grief.
She found it difficult to get him to
talk of Henderson's last illness. When
ever she mentioned the subject he
.,,rnod tba .,rIarSa-iop in nthar cha m.
nels. intimating that it was mourn
full topic that they would both do well
to avoid.
The two made several trips together
to the cemetery TO note the growth OF
the plants and put flowers on Hender-
sons grave. but Gregory seemed to
shrink from going there. and the last
time they went together he acted so
strangely that Margaret did not sug'
gest his going again. BE grew moody
and discontinued At times he showed
signs of taking the place made vacant
by her fance: at other times he acted
as If he would consider such an act
betrayal of friendship. Margaret could
not understand him. ANY mystery in
one with whom we are thrown init
mately bescts an interest. and since
that interest with Margaret was in
fluenced by demonstrations of a grow
ing love for her. she found herself
thinking great deal of Gregory. One
who has lost love naturally Graves
to replace that love.
But the moP closely they grew to-
getber the more Gregory hung back,
and it became evident that something
was weighing on his mind. Margaret
tried gently to induce him to confide
in her. but the bare mention of such q
thing seemed to wear upon him dread
fully Relieving that be was suffer
ing from qualms at taking his friends
place in her heart. she exercised a
frankness which would otherwise have
been unmaidenly to convince him that
there was no reason to reproach him
self
The misunderstanding between them
had reached climax when one even.
ing while they were together there
should be ushered into the drawing
room but Henderson himself.
Now. it is not to be supposed that
any one of the three under the cir
| cumstances maintained any steadiness
of demeanor, Henderson and Gregory
both looked as If they had been caught
stealing. Through Margaret there ran
tumult of emotions. For awhile
there was an oppressive silence. Then
Margaret essayed to speak. but her
voice failed her. Henderson spoke in
stead.
Il owe you an explanation"
But Margaret recovering herself in
terrupted him.
You owe me no explanation. for /
understand this mystery which has so
long been puzzling me. have long
been aware of your ruling passion that
the love of the woman who loves
you shall die with you. You have per.
petrated this deception In connection
with Mr.. Gregory to learn whether |
would be true to your memory in the
way you would wish me to be true
Mr.. Gregory consented to lend him
self TO your experiment. In one sense
Ut has been successful. since 1t has
brought definite result. Had | not
been deceived | would have married
him both for love and to supply the
void in my heart made vacant by your
death. AS it is, you have ruined your
selves and have ruined me. | doubt