The Tomahawk., 1915-12-30
II love you, Lydia. Why don't vol
believe me?"
Because you haven't proved it"
GLOW can l prove it,"
"Give me the formula"

While she was dressing she pictured
woman, some "gawk" of a creature, as
she phrased it to herself. She was
surprised at the refined, delicate little
woman who stood before her.
She bowed. Mrs. Stranger" she in.
CURED.
Doris stood looking at her steadily
her hands clasned in front Of her. DO
you love my husband?" she asked.
Lydia Emmons, entirely at loss
how to answer, remained silent
| 81 have not come to you to make
trouble" Doris went on. But, you
see, love Mortimer, and we have nc
children. So that will make it easier
Easier for what?"
ITO let him divorce me-"
II will answer you truthfully," said
Lydia. 81 do not love your husband
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 hack to me?"
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. "ie is not worthy
of you"
| "He is! He isl" cried Doris indig'
nantly. 1T is l who am not worthy
of him. I have not been able to live
as he wished me to live. He is my
husband, and it is my duty to make
him happy. want chance to try"
Lydia Emmons was still more as
founded. "But-but 1 don't want to
rob you of him." she stammered. "Tel'
me, Mrs. Strange, what sort Of woman
do people cay that I am?"
Bad" sobbed Doris, like a resent
full child.
VERY bad? Thoroughly vicious
and depraved?"
II don't pay heed to gossip unless
| have to. But people in our circles
| are talking That was why came tc
you"
What would she think if she kne"
what Mortimer had asked her? Lydia
was suddenly appalled,.
MRS. Strange" she said quietly, ~
am not what the world would call
good woman, suppose. Maybe I am
| naturally bad or maybe I never had
| a dogs chance when was girl. But
I am not as bad as some think. Dc
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 as
your husband is concerned, Mrs
Strange-but I'm going to make it. J
am going to bring him to your feet
forever"
Doris looked up swiftly into the
others face, and she put her hands
in Lydia's with the same childlike con
fidence.
ooh, believe in you!" she cried. II
am so sorry for what said You are
a good woman, and l shall tell every.
body so'
Lydia smiled and kissed her
y II
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
days, and he was uneasy and per.
picked at not having seen her. It was
growing dark, and sort Of jaded 70.
nance was growing in the mans
soul.
And when at last she came the spu.
rious passion that leaped up in his
heart threatened to sweep him from
his bearings. She was dressed all in
white, and there was look on her
face that reminded him, though he
did not know why, of Doris in the day"
Of their cOurtship.
She sat down at his side and they
two were together at last, as Morti-
mer had hoped. He took her hand.
"Lydia!" he cried exultantly. II
have brought the proof with me-the
proof for which you asked"
He drew the paper from his pocket
and gave it to her.
"Here Is the value of a million dol
lars" he said What the brides of
the Reich company could not effect is
yours. You shall keep it, and the pro.
ceeds, as the proof of my love-"
"Morty." said Lydia quietly, Ibid
you ever tell any other woman that
you loved herr"
mot as tell you," he answered.
"Your wife, then. You didn't care
for her when you asked her to share
your life in the long ago7"
Mortimer wriggled in his chair.
"Why do you mention my wife," he
asked.
Because you have the best wife in
the world, and are the least deserving
Of her." she answered. you are
fool, Morty, just common little fool.
You are going to get the worst turn
ing down that you have ever had You
are going to be made to see yourself
as you area little man in big part,
who has lost his bearings and taken