Putnam patriot., 1915-01-08

"l think you have saved me from my
 self"
 strength Of character l--l ann glad l met gou l tmnk you have saved me from myself
 ,Ynn asked ne my name broke m eagerly .Nould yon mind telling ne who yeu arefs
 IF the clear cbeeks reddenng. Why. 1 am oniy a foola
 "'Fhen there k. at least. one tie be tween Us Bm if we are to remain Friends l must know how to address you
 Her red lips parted doubtfully, her hroN wfinkling.
 "Yes. and we cannot afford to be conventional can we. am Viola Der nard ana 1 must .ei my story tn some me. l can fight fate alone no longer Perhaps may not confess everything. for l do not know yon well enough for that. but enough at least so you will no longer suspect that l-I am bad woman.'
 '1 could never really believe that"
 "Oh. yes. you could. l have read in your face that my character puzzles you You invited me to drink cock tail to try me. Don't protest, for real Iy do not wonder at it or blame you in the least. How could you think otherwise? There is a home could return to, and a mother. but they are more than thousand miles from here But l cannot go. even if l possessed tue means. because of my pride--my false pride possibly l have chosen my course and must abide by 1t to the end.
 She drew long breath, speaking very slowly
 Tt is d hard story to tell, for the wound is still fresh and hurts. 1 was upon the stage-~not long. but with suf- ficient success so that l had become leading woman with one of the best stock companies IL Was against my mothers wish 1 entered the profession. and she has never become reconciled to it, although our relationship re- mained pleasant few months ago while playing in Omaha 1 met Fred Bernard. 1 knew little of him, but he appeared gentienanly and well 10 do and was presented 10 me by one in whom l had confidence. He was pleas ant and apparently in love with me liked him. was hattered by his atten- tions and discouraged in my ambition When he 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 fiat on the north side My husband did nc work. but received re- mittances from home and apparently had plenty of means. lie told me lit tie about himself or his condition. but promised to take me to his people in little while He said his father was wealthy. but eccentric; that be had told him of our marriage. but there had been a quarrel between them. and he could not take me there without an invitation. l was never shown the let ters. but they bore southern post marks.'
 She paused. hesitating, her eyes full of pain.
 Fl was afraid to question. for-for he proved so different after our mar riage He was d drunkard. abusive and quarrelsome 1 had never before been in intimate contact with any one like that. and l 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 moment 1 dreaded his hoinecom ing. For weeks 1 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 i'll the worst condition l had ever seen him. He acted like geritable savage. cursing and striking at me and finally drove me from the house. fiouriShing re volyer in my face and locking the door behind me. i--l sat there on the steps an hour and endeavored to go back but there was no response. l walked the streets and then having little money with me-fOund place to lodge The next day went back. but the flat was locked sflll, and neighbors said my husband had left with a tray cling bag. I-i was actually thrown out upon the streets 10 starYe."
 Her voice lowered 50 that l was compelled to lean closer to catch the  rapidly spoken words.
 
 (To Be Continued.)