Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1914-10-29
CHAPTER XIX.
Bond Though Free.

| Bond Though Free.
The Truitt divorce sensation had
reached and passed its height
One day, when the decree was
scarcely two weeks old, a man alighted
from an incoming express train. He
did not look like a roue or the villain
of famous scandal; he himself did
not know that he had been heralded
in such role. His doctor would hardly
have recognized him. He was still
thin and the cane had not been dis
carded, but he was clear-eyed and
healthily bronzed and the limp was
far less noticeable than at any time
since the accident
Six months he had spent in the
northern wilderness, living in the open,
sleeping under the stars. with no COM
pany but his own thoughts and tact
turn half-breed I.Iian. But they had
not been lonely months, nor did he
| think them wasted. For they had
brought him to what he was pleased
| to call new birth.
The first news of the Truths sep
arationJ had evoked scant interest from
the gossips. But as the time set for
the trial approached 1t began to be
whispered about that more than the
usual stale story of domestic disagree
ment lay behind the affair. The whis-
per became an audible chorus. It was
dull season in year when no impor-
tant election impended. there was a
dearth of spicy news; the newspapers
avidly seized this chance to give flavor
to their columns. From some source,
which might have been identified as
Unity's lawyer, reporters were fur.
nished material for innumerable sug.
gestive rumors. Vague but deftly
worded innuendoes of Truths cruel
treatment of his wife appeared, of his
sly profigacy. OF the one strikingly
handsome woman who had captivated
his fancy and whom 1t was supposed
he would marry after the divorce
From Truitt, who had completely dis.
appeared, came no denial. His flight
and silence were taken as an admis
sion of guilt.
At the trial. to be sure, the testi
mony was a distinct disappointment
|
ton and touched but lightly on only
one short-lived period of dissipation
during which Truitt, at certain mid
night suppers, had shared with other
men the more or less interesting com
pany Of sundry nameless women. The
public, deprived of the scandal fol
which its mouth had been watering
decided that Mrs. Truitt had been
overly magnanimous in thus sparinl
her husband and let its heated imag
nation supply the lacking details
Truitt entered no defense and decree
was quickly handed down. Mrs. Truit
, at once sailed for Europe.
He hailed cab and gave the name
,of q club that to cabby brought Wis
ions of liberal tip. In a few minutes
! the destination was reached and thu
passenger descended to the pavement
: At that moment woman, whom ~
recognized as one of Unity's familiars
| approached. He lifted his hat ant
, bowed She looked squarely at hin
and passed on without greeting. Rec
/ surged into his cheeks.
Out! u0 muttSlcu. suPpos'
> Unity's given her version Of on
smash-up. Unity would"
, He paid his fare and entered thu
: portals from which no rich man hat
ever been excluded. At the desk ;
well dressed and usually very polite
I young clerk so far forgot himself a
to look his amazement.
4 "Mr. Truittl supposed you wer'
out OF town. Thought He stopped
in confusion, remembering that it wa
!. no part OF his business to think.
Q Mark looked hard at him. "Yo,
I thought?'
Q II thought you were out Of town,
I stammered the clerk.
II was. And now I'm back" Mari
answered dryly. 80 think I'll ar
rsnge for rooms here indefinitely"
3 Nor was this all Of the city's greet
D ing to thu returned wanderer. Thu
rooms arrhnged for. he turned ava.
| from the desk, to come face to fac