The Lamar register., 1914-06-17
Gordon Craig
Continued from Page -

anu QuarrelSOue. 1 udu never De1Orc
been in intimate contact with any one
like that, and was afraid of him.
Whatever of love l might have felt
died within me under abuse. He
struck, me the second day, and from
that Apment l dreaded his homecom-
Ing. Far weeks ! scarcely saw him
sober. and his treatment Of me was
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 l had ever seen him. He
acted like veritable savage, cursing
and striking at me and finally drove
me from the house. hourishing a re-
Jvolver 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. l walked
the streets and then-having a little
money with me-fOund a place to
lodge The next day l went back. but
the fat was locked still, and neighbOrs
said my husband had left with trav-
cling bag. IL was actually thrown
out upon the streets to starve."
Her voice lowered so that l was
compelled to lean closer to catch the
rapidly spoken words.
lat first IL was not altogether sOr-
ry. thought 1t would be easy to find
work. was not afraid of that. but
but 1t was not easy. Oh, how hard
tried. l faced open insult. cowardly
insinuation, brutal coarseness. Ii
had been skilled In any business line
my reception might have been differ
ent; II possessed recommendations
or could have frankly confessed the
truth perhaps ] might have been given
a chance l endeavOred SO hard to dis
cover some opening: even sought do
nestle service and was examined as
though l was horse on sale. l walk
ed the streets; refused to despair or
permit myself to believe failure posi-
BILE. went home at night, tired out.
to q little rented room in Forty ninth
street. prayed as l used to when q
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.
Il fought 1t out to the very last
her head suddenly Observation-Disclosures
the end came just the same. Perhaps
l should never have hung on SO long;
perhaps 1t would have been better to
have sent word to my mother and ask
ed help to go home. But-but 1 kept
hoping to succeed until 1t was too late.
l spent all the little money l had and
pawned my rings. l had married
l,h 4 ,nt
turn to her for help. oh. was tempt
ed: 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, know"
Her sensitive face frightened, her
eyes clearing Of mist.
1T is a comfort to speak with a gen
tleman again. IL had almost begun
to believe there were none left in the
world. You give me courage to go on.
to acknowledge everything. Mr.. Craig.
l was soul tottering on the brink
when | met you out yonder-a desper-
point Of surrender"
My uHSerS CioStu YET mote dSuuy
over the small hand. but her face re-
manned rigid. the lines deep about the
mouth.
THE landlady had turned me out"
speaking now bitterly and swiftly, "re-
tanning my few belongings. I had moth.
ing ieft-nothing. For week l had
listened to no kind word. met with no
kind act | was upon the street alone
at night purposeless. homeless. wan
dering aimlessly from place to place.
weakened by hunger. stupefied BY de
spair.
II found myself out among the resi-
dences. where everything was still and
lonely, walking, walking. walking. ev-
cry shadow appearing like ghost
sat down to rest on the curbing. but .
policeman drove me away. Once /
crept Into a darkened vesdbule in big
apartment building. but another dis
covered me there and threatened to
take me to the station. The night grew
misty and damp, but l found no shell
ter had no will power left, no wom
anhood, no remorse. 1t was thus l
came there to that corner. ] heard
the policeman approaching along the
side street and. terrified. sprang into
the yard to escape; then-then i met
you"