The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1913-08-02

4h<~~ together too IA
miliar footing in
their household, and that she was to
bestow less time and attention upon
him.
s'Why, Walter protested Edna,
half amused and wholly amazed, Bill
" and | have been brought up like
brother and sister. and had never
been separated until he went west a
few years ago. I couldn't get up the
least sentiment for him even II ]
didn't care for you
"But you are not brother and sister,
and tell you frankly it maddens me
to see him appropriate you as mat
ter OF course, and will not permit
you to drive with him as frequently
as you do.
Further argument followed, but
Walter was peremptory in reiterating
his commands He left the city that
night on business trip, and in his
absence Edna made her plans quietly
and unalterably.
Walter she said coldly on his re-
turn, 81 think it advisable that we
separate. Not on Bil1y's account,
not because he is anything to me, but
because of your stand in this matter.
IF you desire 8 separation" he
said in low, strange voice, you shall
have one"
she was little startled and piqued
by his ready acquiescence.
There is one point he said, "you
have overlooked. I cannot be sepa-
rated altogether from Lillian
Walter! AS If I would put feath-
or between you two. She shall come
to you as often as you desire
The next day he moved into apart
ments, and Edna's aunt came to her.
It was the time OF year when nearly
every one was out Of town, and the
few who came to the house supposed
Walter to be absent on one Of his ire
quent business trips.
AS she sat alone In her boudoir,
bordering over the estrangement, she
heard the patter of little steps In the
hall, and she lifted her head expect
antly. Lillian had been spending the
day with her father.
"Oh, mammal" exclaimed the little
girl, excitedly 81 had such lovely
time. We all went ON the river In q
big boat-and-'
''Who went with your asked Edna
quickly.
Papa and his friend"
What friend?''
"a new friend, Jessie"
Lillian" she said, angrily, don't
ever mention that Jessie's name to me
again
sJessie was lovely to me. like
Jessie!''
So the intriguing Jessie was winning
her child's affections as well as her
husbands. She decided that she would
not allow the child to go to her father
again. She spent q miserable night
When the summons came for Lillian
again the next morning, Edna, who
loved her child passionately, had not
the heart to refuse Lillian's pleading.
Towards dusk as she was beginning
to be anxious at LilIian's prolonged
absence, Doctor Brandon, an old
friend, was announced.
why, DOCTOR" she cried, delighted.
", Il didn't know you had returned.
II came home few days ago and
have been trying to call, but have
been prevented. Are you quite well?''
| he asked.
ooh, yes, very well. ! want you to
stay until Lillian comes. She has
grown So"
II came to tell you about Lillian.
| have Just come from-her fathers
She is slightly iIl-no, don't be
alarmed. It's a very slight disorder
but the weather has changed SO sud
denly, thought it prudent for her to
| remain indoors for day or two. She
wants you-in fact, won't stay tonight
without you. May I take you back
| with me? My carriage is here
Doctor Brandon, she exclaimed
isn't you first name lesser"
why, yes" he replied in surprise
And were you up the river with
| Walter and Lillian yesterday
Yes; the child asked me what my
name was, and told her jesse an6
she proceeded to call me that to my
delight and her fathers distress"
He wondered at the radiant face up
lifted. As they came into Walters
apartments she heard a door open.
Walter she said, yearningly, Sc
know, now. how you felt abou
Billy
Dear he said when she was re
leased from his embrace, will yol
stop those awful proceedings?'
Darling. ] never began them!
simply couldn't"