El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-09-24
= One WOman's Story =
By Virginia Terhune Van de Water
CHAPTER XII

CHAPTER XII
n AIRY FLETCHER had dreaded
MI confessing to her motherinlaw
what she had learned on her
| visit downtown. She was dazed and
stunned by her mornings experiences,
yet she felt that this was no time for
subterfuge and was determined to tell
all that had happened-with the ex-
ception of her encounter with Gordon
/ Craig She remembered with a thrill
of relief that Berts mother had never
heard Of this man, and she tried to for
get that she herself had seen him
again. This was made the easier by the
painful thoughts that came thronging
TO her mind. Where was Bert? Would
he return? How would she and the
baby live. She could not be a burden
to her husbands mother any longer.
Though she had sinned in marrying a
man she did not love, Heaven knew
she was being punished for it,
As soon as she entered the small
flat, her pale face showed to the wom-
an anX1ously waiting there that her err
rand had been as disastrous as she had
feared it might be. Yet Bert's mother
gave evidence of no surprise when she
heard the news that he sons wife pity
ingly impaired to her.
IT'S only what I fearedr she de-
clared, yes, it's what 1 feared!"
But what are We TO dor' exclaimed
Mary. She had thrown off her coat
and hat and was walking up and down
the floor. She was too excited too
restless to sit STILL yet she was so tired
that walking was an effort. Baby
and must livei We cannot be depend
ent on you. Oh, if there was anything
that we knew certainly Here am / as
desolate as if I were a widow, yet so
uncertain as to what is ahead of me
that I dare not go out and try to find
occupation Bert may come home to-
morrow and demand that baby and I
return to Middlebrook."
She shuddered, but the other woman
laughed harshly. Well" she muttered.
IF what I suspect is true, he won't do
thatr'
Mary stopped abruptly What do
you suspect?" she demanded. What
do you mean? Do you know anything
more than I do about this natter"
No, don't know anything for sure"
Mrs Fletcher said, but I shall soon
Meanwhile, don't ask me no more ques-
ton or I'll go crawl"
She gave vent to a dry sob, then
controlled herself. Il guess I'm losing
all the senses 1 ever had" she apollo
gized. Z used to flatter myself that
nothin' never upset me I.aw-when
by husband was alive I ran the whole
concern, even managed all the money
ne made, and even when he died / new
er turned a hair, and I took care of
Bert until he was able to take care
O. himself. But I tell you, child there
amt anything takes the starch out OF
you ike disgrace. And that's what
were facin' nOw-you an me-"
She was silent for minute. well,
there amt no use in ta1kin' over
Things We don't know nothin' about
she said at last "All we can do is
TO wait developments. I think we'd
pest agree to play waitin' game for
a day or two yet. Shall We?"
agree.
Two days later Mary Fletcher
learned the truth Her motherinlaw
had been away all the morning
"on business" she said. Mary washed
and dressed her child, busted herself
about the flat, took the baby out for
an airing, returned and put him to
sleep before she heard her hostess
step on the stairs. Mrs Fletcher's
tread was always heavy, but today it
sounded even slower than usual and
II was with sense of apprehension
mat Mary ran out into the hall. Put
ting her arm about her as she gained
the top stair, she drew her mother
lnlaW into the little parlor and began
10 remove her bonnet
You look tired out" she said gen
your breath"
Mrs. Fletcher. senior, said nothing
untll she had put away her coat, bon
70 come into the bedroom, and close
the door tightly.
Even though the chiIFs asleep,
DON'T wish that this matter should be
mentioned where he is" said the
GRANDMOTHER, her hands clenched-
oh, Mary, Mary. it's all just as I
feared! Oh, my son, my SOM
me woman Mary had once con-
sIuered hard and Unconditional broke
oOWn and Sobbbed aloud as she tried to
Ten Berrs wife the shameful story of
ms dissipation, his infidelity. Moved
i Dy rigid sense of justice as she saw
- she mad employed a detective cal
tnough 1t cost me about all 1 had left
aIter my boy had cheated me-" she
SeIl 10 watch her son. She had
learned today that he had for months
Deen running another establishment
over in Philadelphia"
- wonder if that other woman
claimed.
Then, as she tried to go on with a
INST of the many shameful things her
ohIy son had done, her voice quavered
again and broke.
Oh, she moaned. 7 wish he wac
dead! 1 wish that he had died when
ne was a decent little boyr'
To her own surprise, Mary found her
self putting her arms about the Weep-
ing mOther-changed suddenly il /
seemed, TO an old woman, and trying I
10 comfort her
There therel" she soothed. as she |
might have spoken to a frightened |
child
After some minutes Bert F1etcher's |
mother recovered her self-controI and I
was able to talk cOherentlv She had I
discovered where Bert was living, she /
said, and would have her own lawyer /
knew the facts of his double life, and /
that she never wished to see him |
gain
He can't even claim his child" she