New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1914-07-22
Copyright. 1912. by A. C. McClurs e Co.

She drew a long breath. speaking
very slowly.
1T is a hard story to tell. for the
wound is still fresh and hurts l was
upon the stage-not long, but with suf-
fcient success so that l had become
leading woman with one Of the best
&Ktock companies. 1t was against my
mothers wish entered the profession.
and she has never become reconciled
to it. although our relationship re-
manned pleasant. A few months ago
while playing in Omaha l met Fred
Bernard. l knew little of him. but he
appeared gentlemanly and we'll to do
and was presented to me by one in
whom l had confidence He was pleas
ant and apparently in love with me.
l liked him. was f1attered by his atten-
lions and discouraged in my ambition.
When be asked me to marry him con-
ditionS were such that accepted. even
consented under his urging to an i'm
mediate ceremony. We came to this
city, were quietly married here and
occupied a fat on the north side. My
AuoUouN ulA liz " vi n Oul lCCCAtcu It,
mittances from home and apparently
had plenty of means. He told me lit
tie about himself or his condition. but
promised to take me to his people in a
little while. He said his father was
wealthy. but eccentric; that he had
told him of our marriage. but there
had been quarrel between them. and
.Snhe could not take me there without an
sAhvitation. l was never shown the let
tiers. but they bore southern post
y She paused. hesitating, her eyes full
f of pain. ..
IL was afraid to question, for-for
! be proved SO different after our mar
rage. He was a drunkard, abusive
a and QuarrelsOme. l had never before
been in intimate contact with any one
like that, and l was afraid of him.
sWhatever of love might have felt
1, died within me under abuse. He
y struck me the second day, and from
that moment l dreaded his homecom-
!; ing. For weeks | scarcely saw him
sober. and his treatment of me was
4 brutal"
( Tears were in her eyes, but she held
( them back, forcing herself to go on.
Then he was gone two days and
nights, leaving me alone. He reap
peared the third evening in the worst
condition had ever seen him He
acted like veritable savage. cursing
and striking at me and finally drove
me from the house. hourishing re-
volver in my face and locking the door
behind me. IL sat there on the steps
an hour and endeavored to go back,
but there was no response. | walked
the streets and then-haying a little
money with me-found a place to
lodge. The next day l went back, but
the fiat was locked still. and neighhors
said my husband had left with trav-
cling bag. IL was actually thrown
out upon the streets to starve."
"a Her voice lowered so that | was
q compelled to lean closer to catch the
rapidly spoken words
lat first IL was not altogether sor-
ry. | thought it would be easy to find
work. was not afraid of that. but
but it was not easy. Oh. how hard |
tried. | faced open insult. coWard!y
insinuation, brutal coarseness 1t |
had been skilled in any business line
my reception might have been differ
ent; if | possessed recommendations
or could have frankly confessed the
truth perhaps | might have been given
a chance. | endeavored so hard to dis
cover some opening: l even sought do
mestlc service and was examined as
: though | was Il horse on sale. walk
ed tie streets; refused to despair or
permit myself to believe failure posi-
bic. went home at night, tired out.
to little rented room in Forty ninth
street, prayed as | used to when a
child. cried myself" to sleep, only to
wake up the next morning determined
to continue | was not weak then; |
was as strong as any girl could be-
i fought it out to the very last
her head suddenly dropping "but--but
the end came just the same. Perhaps
| should never have hung on SO long:
perhaps it would have been better to
have sent word to my mother and ask
ed help to go home. But-but kept
hoping to succeed until it was too late
= 1 spent an lie liltiS u1OneN / 1ldu ana
pawned my rings i had married
against my mothers wish could not
turn to her for help. Oh, was tempt
ed; l think you must know what /
mean. You realize what temptation
is-hOw it weakens and conquers the
soul?'
closed my hand firmly over hers.
Yes, l know"
Her sensitive face frightened, her
eyes clearing of mist.
1T is Il comfort to speak with gen
tleman again. IL had almost begun
to believe there We're none left in the
world. You give me courage to go on.
to acknowledge everything Mr.. Craig,
] was a soul tottering on the brink
y when met you out yonder-a desper-
ate. disheartened girl, tempted to the