South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-06-17

- Once. On. you have TO excuse"
sine Addsd bitterly. Il remember
now yoI caune down 10 stay with
us At the time that letter must
have come, and you stole IL from
rae"
6e folded his arms and looked at
EsT with steady defiant eyes.
Yes, I admit everything. What 1
Gid vas an objectionable thing-but
7 loved you, too. II was my only
chance OF winning you. for you were
dszsled by the man and had lost
ycar sense OF perspective"
Il loved him and 1 never loved
ToI." she said, passionately. 1t was
cr1y his unaccountable silence that
drove me into your arms. But now
] know the truth 1 still love him
and hate you'll"
His face flushed slightly.
This is a thing of the past now
YOU are my wife. Dallas has gone
out os your life You can't put back
the last Ave years You belong TO
mel"
Nor she flashed Il belong 10
myself ! don't recognize the claim
OF a man who won me with lies and
trickery, who betrayed his friend
and acted like a coward From to-
day l go my own way. and the first
thing I do will be TO try to clear
myself in his eyes"
Her husband broke int a short
laugh.
All this Is very heroic. very ro-
mantle. no doubt. but not practical
BY this time I expect you have be-
come a memory TO this chap. What
use will II serve him 10 learn that
you never received his letter.
He will at least know that I was
true. that 1 loved him. and would
have been his wife to share all his
troubles and hard times" she re-
torted. in this letter he mentions
a dreadful catastrophe that had
come 10 him. and begged me to walt
and trust him, and ! might have
gone 20 him and assured him OF my
love had you not come between us."
Thank heaven l didw he an
swered, gravely. IF all this were
TO happen again I would not hest
tate to act as l did then. l am not
ashamed OF my conduct; 1 am Only
sorry tina. I was such fool as 10
keep this letter"
Il am glad" she replied. 1T has
opened my eyes TO the truth, to the
awful knowledge that between your
character and his there IS all the
have been a poor man. without all
your money: but his character was
upright and honorable, while yours
was the reverse"
If only you had had some cause
20 keep this letter from me-" she
went on. 'it would not have been so
bad. but you had no reason-nC
motive except jealousy"
You are wrong" he began quick
". Il had the best reason in the
world. II you only knew"
Well" she srdd scornfully. III
I knew what Is this another story
YOU want 10 make up?''
He shrugged his shoulders.
HIS EXPLANATION.
1T Is nothing loved you-that
IS all I can say. II you wish to live
your own life apart from mine I
have no alternative save 70 abide
by your wish; but you are still my
wife. and 10 is my duty 20 protect
YOU from any foolish act into which
you might be led by your impulses"
oh. 1 shall create no scandal. II
that Is what you mean" she ans
wered proudly. Il shall not blaze
the story or your treachery abroad;
but / shall do my best 10 ind
George Dallas and tell him that
never received his letter. That. at
least. 1 owe him and myself The
rest can be settled between YOU and
him-when YOU meet
Max Denison's mouth grew sud
denly hard.
Il don't fancy that Dallas and I
viii ever meet sEain, ne $40
SLOWLY; ~ We did ! should he Eiad
ts admit M reasons for having