The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1913-07-24

"Oh," cried Fran, catching a tenn
pestuous breath, uneven, violent, you
know what mean-that!"
The dew glistened on his brow, but
he doggedly stood on the defensive.
"You are indefinite" he muttered, try
ing to appear bold.
She knew he did not understand be-
cause he would not, and now she real
lied that he would, if possible, deny.
Pretense and sham always hardened
her. ''Then," she said slowly, Il will
be definite. l will tell you the things
it would have been better for you to
tell me. Your early home was in New
York, but you had cousin living in
Springfield, where there was very
good college. Your parents were anx-
ious to get you away from the temp
tations of a big city until you were
Of age. So you were sent to live
with your cousin and attend college.
You were with him three or four
years, and at last the time came for
graduation. Shall l go on?''
He fought desperately for self-pres-
ervation. What is there in all this?'
"You had married, in the mean
time" Fran said coldly; married Sc
cretly. That was about nineteen years
ago. She was only eighteen. After
graduation you were to go to New
York, break the news to your father,
come back to Springfield for your
wife, and acknowledge her. You grad
uated; you went to your father. Did
you come back?"
my Cod" groaned the man. So
she knew everything; must he admit
it? What Is all this to your" he
burst forth. "Who and what are you,
anyway-and why do you come here
with your story? If it were true"
"True!" said Fran bitterly. "If
you've forgotten, why not go to
Springfield and ask the first old citi-
zen you meet? Or you might write
to some one you used to know, and
inquire. If you prefer, I'll send for
one of your old professors, and pay
his expenses. They took a good deal
of interest in the young college stu
dent who married and neglected Jo-
sephine Derry. They haven't forgot
ten it, if you have"
You don't know" he gasped, that
there's a penalty for coming to
peoples houses to threaten them with
supposed facts in their lives You
don't know that the jails are ready to
punish Matchmaking, for you are only
little girl and don't understand such
things. l give you warning. Although
you are in short dresses"
"Yes," remarked Fran dryly, 81
thought that would be an advantage
to you. 1t ought to make things
easier"
"How an advantage to me? Easier?
What have to do with your"
Il thought" Fran said coldly, that
it would be easier for you to take me
into the house as little girl than as
a grown woman. You'll remember |
told you I've come here to stay"
"To stay!" he echoed, shrinking
back. you"
"Yes," she said, all the cooler for
his attitude of repulsion. 81 want a
home Yes, I'm going to stay. l want
to belong to somebody"
He cried out desperately, But what
am l to do? This will ruin me-oh,
it's true, all you've said don't deny
it. But l tell you, girl, you will ruin
me. Is all the work Of my life to
be overturned? l shall go mad"
mo, you won't" Fran calmly as
sured him. You'll do what every one
has to do, sooner or later-face the
situation. You're a little late getting
to it, but it was coming all the time.
You can let me live here as an adopt
ed orphan, or any way you please.
The important fact to me is that I'm
going to live here. But / don't want
to make it hard for you, truly 1 don't"
Don't your" He spoke not loudly,
but with tremendous pressure of de-
SIRE "Then, for Gods sake, go back!
Go back TOTO wherever you came
from. I'll pay all expenses. You shall
have all you want"
Cali l want" Fran responded, "is a
home, and that's something people
can't buy. Get used to the thought of
my staying here; that will make it
easy"
Easy" he calculated. "Then it's
your purpose to compel me to give
you shelter because of this secret
you mean to ruin me. I'll not be able