New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-06-28


tachcd to 4 pair of lcan gray
horses whose stlcSs driver hudded on the front seat
and sucked the soddcn, firelcss stump OF a cigar
couple of boys, blowing their red hands and staring
al her unabaShcd the only occupants OF the plat
form. Beyond stretched the deserted village street.
looking bleak and nhoSpltablc through us p''o''
trees.
"Maplcwood,' said she briefly, naming her summer
home two miles away as she stepped into the surrey
The smooth winding shore road, skimmng the low
wooded hills with the undulang flight OF swallow was
beautiful even when shon Of its summer vcrdurc as now
but Clara Brant had eyes for 1t today Maplewood
itself indeed with its boarded windows and doors ana
srawswathcd shrubs looked gaunt and cherries to her
At the hooded west entrance, opening directly into
her private suite she was by Frcda, the caretakcr
wife. and ushcrcd into her sitting room, where gen
,rous wood fire cmanatcd warmth and cozncSS. ne
plump, bluc-cycd Tcuton, with the familiarity OF a
privileged servant chded her mistress as she received
her wraps for having used public conveyance lsc'h
Of tccpraphing Chris To meet her at the station men,
as she hustled about the room, she impaired some I'M
portant woodland news Three robins still tarrcd on
the place feeding and roosting in angc OF wild grape
vines A flock of evening grosbeaks had appeared the
day before; and the week before, the ninth OF Janu
airy, Chris had seen a chipmunk.
Fine" was Claras comment
But Frcda. who knew her lady like book perceived
that it was not fnc,-just now,-that something had
gone awry &c. Withholding further items Of the cath
cred and urred dcnizcns Of Naplewood until more
suspicious hour, she retired soon as possible.
CLARA was no sooner alone than she dropped into a
~ chair before her lockwood cscritoirc. Attcr a
period Of nervous tattoong upon her aultlcss teeth
with pearl pcnstock, she wrote:
DEAR Cal
Then came another pause and glance about the
ROOM 1t reflected her outdoor tastes at score OF
points,-in the sprays Of bitcrswect and high-bush
cranberry gathered the autumn before but still Haunt
ing their tiny coral lanterns hummlngbird nest sad
died on a section of honeysucke stem, a bnocular,
botanical collecting case butterfly net, pair OF target
pistols And CAL her husband she reflected sorrowfully
scarcely knew a song sparrow from brown thraShcr
Otherwise she might not be writing this letter.
She continued
thought to take week in this solitude formulate
thoughts; but with the train dust scarcely of my hands
find them already formed. Indeed, suspect they have
long been formed.
The reading of this letter pain you than its
writing pains Yet believe that nothing 1t contains
will a surprise to YOU
Not 10 beat about the BUSH am you realize that
our marriage is failure There may be more than one
reason for it; but one is enough am chdlcss learned
week ago from Dr. Colt what you have known for more
than year and yet charitaby, though mistakenly with
held from me,that shall never in all probability bear
child You love children, every good man does You
are entitled TO a wife who can give them 10 you.
She paused and wiped her flowing eyes
You have strivcn noby pain that IS to con-
cca your change OF heart from But it was an mpos
.blc task As well try to conceal the setting Of the
The sad truth has filtered from thousand sourccs-
looks gestures words-until feel OF the fact as
had read it in letters Of blood.
| have no plans. You will know the legal steps to be
taken divorce will be painful and humliang to
us both; but pain and humiliation to all in one form
or another, and firmly and unalteraby OF the opinion
though | would rather sacrifice my right arn-that
divorce is the only WISE honest and course
left The rest does not matter.
Perhaps shall have the fortudc to talk with YOU later
But do not come up here You would not find me in