The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1914-10-03
CHAPTER XIX.
Bond THOUGH Free.

The Truitt divorce sensation had
reached and passed its height
One day. when the decree was
scarcely two weeks old, 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 a 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 Indian. 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 a new birth.
The first news Of the Truths sep
aration had evoked scant interest from
the gossips. But as the time set for
the trial approached It 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. 1t was
a dull season In year when no impor-
tant election impended, there was
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 deity
vorded innuendoes' of Truths cruel
treatment of his wife appeared, of his
sly profiigacy. 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
1t proved merely commonplace deser-
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 for
which its mouth had been watering.
decided that Mrs. Truitt had been
overly magnanimous in thus sparing
her husband and let its heated mag
ination supply the lacking details.
Truitt entered no defense and a decree
was quickly handed down. Mrs. Truitt
at once sailed for Europe.
He hailed a cab and gave the name
Of a club that to cabby brought Wis
ions Of liberal tip. In few minutes
the destination was reached and the
passenger descended to the pavement
At that moment a woman, whom he
recognized as one of Unity's familiars.
approached. He lifted his hat and
bowed. She looked sQuarely at him
anu PoooCu Ou WltuOuI SIeetlus. hcu
surged into his cheeks.
CUT" he muttered. Il suppose
Unity's given her version of our
smash-up. Unity would"
He paid his fare and entered the
portals from which no rich man had
ever been excluded. At the desk
well dressed and usually very polite
young clerk SO far forgot himself as
to look his amazement
Mr.. Truitt! l supposed you were
out Of town. thought" He stopped
in confusion, remembering that 1t was
no part of his business to think
Mark looked hard at him. You
thought"
Il thought you we're out OF town."
stammered the clerk.
Il was. And now I'm back" Mark
answered dryly. so l think I'll ar
range for rooms here Indefinitely"
Nor was this all Of the city's greet
ing to the returned wanderer. The
rooms arranged for, he turned away
from tina desk to come face to face