The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1915-12-31

at ALL"
Then why is your name coupled
with his constantly? Why does he
spend all his time with you? Oh
won't you either take him, If you want
each other, or give him back to meY
wept Doris.
Lydia looked at her and an intense
curiosity stirred In her She put her
hands upon the other woman's shoul.
ders
why does he mean so much to
you? she asked. "He is not worthy
of you"
"He is! He isl" cried Doris indig
nantly 1T is | who am not worthy
of him. | have not been able to live
rs he wished me to live He is my
husband, and II IS my duty to make
him happy. want a chance to try"
Lydia Emmons was stIll more as
founded "But-but | don't want TO
rob you of him." she stammered Tell
me, Mrs. Strange. what sort OF woman
do people say that | am?"
Bad" sobbed Doris, like a resent
full child
Very bad? Thoroughly vicious
and depraved?"
81 don't pay heed to gossip unless
| have to. But people in our circles
are talking. That was why | came to
you"
What would she think If she knew
what Mortimer had asked her? Lydia
was suddenly appalled,.
Mrs. Strange" she said quietly. II
am not what the world would call a
good woman, suppose. Maybe am
naturally bad, or maybe | never had
dogs chance when was a girl. But
am not as bad as some think Do
you know, have often wanted an op.
portunity to make some sacrifice, to
show that there is some good in me. !
1t isn't much OF sacrifice so far rs |
your husband is concerned, Mrs. |
strange-but I'm going to make 1t.
am going to bring him to your feet
forever"
Doris looked up swiftly into the
others face, and she put her hands
in Lydias with the same childlike con-
tidence.
"Oh, believe in you!" she cried 81
am so sorry for what said. You are
a good woman, and shall tell every
body So"
Lydia smiled and kissed her.
On the veranda of the club Morti.
mer Strange was waiting for Lydia
Emmons. He had been waiting most
of his spare time during the past three
lays. and he was uneasy and per.
picked at not having seen her 1t was
growing dark, and a sort of jaded ro.
nance was growing in the mans
Ioul
And when at last she came the spu
'ious passion that leaped up in his
leart threatened to sweep him from
lis bearings. She was dressed all in
white, and there was a look on her
ace that reminded him, though he
lid not know why. of Doris in the days
# their courtship
She sat down at his side and they
wo were together at last, as Morti.
ner had hoped. He took her hand.
"Lydia!" he cried eXultantly. 81
ave brought the proof with me-the
roof for which you asked"
He drew the paper from his pocket I
nd gave it to her. t
Here is the value of a million dol {
,rs," he said. What the bribes OF +
he Reich company could not effect is d
ours. You shall keep it, and the pro- t
eeds, as the proof OF my love-" Il
"Morty," said Lydia quietly, did
ou ever tell any other woman that v
ou loved herr" b
mot as tell you" he answered il
your wife then. You didn't care "
II her when you asked her to share D
our life in the long ago?'
Mortimer wriggled in his chair. IL
Why do you mention my wife?" he I,
;ked. p,
Because you have the best wife in Of
e world, and are the least deserving d
her." she answered You are a hi
ol Morty, just common little fool.
Ou are going to get the worst turn II
& down that you have ever had. You ~
e going to be made to see yourself n
you area little man in a big part h,
40 has lost his bearings and taken m
e spurious for the real Go home to -,
ur wife, Morty, and ask her forgive ~
ss upon your bended knees, because ~,
u need it badly"
The man rose, furious, trembling.
You led me on, even If am =.
d." he shouted. What was your "a
me, then? You have thrown away -
fortune. Where do you come in?" Il"
Lydia laughed icily 81 was prom.
d ten thousand to get this for the
ich company that's all" she an er
cred, handing him the paper. ha