The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1916-06-15

Peter Meredith fell in love with her.
Of course there might have been
other men than Peter in love with
her and probably were, but Peter
was the only one that advertised his
regard boldly.
All the young unmarried women
we're simply dying for Peter. In
the first place he was rich, and in
the next his good looks would have
made him eligible without the addi-
ton of money.
His married sister took him to
task as soon as she suspected his in
fatuation. She had kept him from
marrying a good many years, be-
cause she wanted the money for the
small Peter, her son, and she did
not intend to be outwitted now by
woman who had nothing but her
handsome face to recommend her.
''You don't know anything about
her." she urged.
81 don't ask to know anything
that she does not choose to tell me.
[ love her well enough to trust
her." Peter answered valiantly.
"Good heavens! She may be an
adventures cried his sister, los
ing her temper.
Then Peter lost his and declared
that he was going straight to Mrs.
Wrest to ask her to marry him. He
went. Mrs. Rowland, who lived op-
posite, saw him 60 to the door, saw
Cornelia Bangs admit him and take
him into the parlor. Then she flew
for the spyglass which had belonged
to her father, an old sea captain.
But the spyglass was, after all, very
inadequate to the occasion. She
could not hear what was said,
though she drew her own conclu-
sions when Peter came forth, de-
jected.
Mrs. Wrest had indeed refused
him. It was incredible. Peter took
it very hard. It was his first expert
ence in not getting what he wanted
Instead of being grateful to Mrs.
Wrest for not accepting him, every
unmarried woman was angry with
her. 1t was not long before scarce
ly a woman save Mrs. Rowland Wis
tied Mrs. Wrest. She was at liberty
now to read and play the violin as
much as she chose and to sew for all
the poor that needed new garments,
all because she had refused Peter
Meredith, whom nobody wanted her
to have.
Why had she done it? There
could be only one reason. She had
no business to marry! She had a
husband living from whom she had
no divorce!
Though Mrs. Wrest was apparent
ly conscious of the increasing feel
ing against her, she made no sign
She still attended church regularly.
wearing black and sitting alone in
her pew, apparently unconscious OF
all who were SO fiercely conscious OF
her. She was sitting thus one morn
ing perfectly still, with her small
hands folded and her face lifted to
the minister.
The church was unusually well
filled, and Mrs. Wrest's pew was the
only one where there were vacant
sittings. The ushers understood
that when there ceased to be room
elsewhere strangers might be shown
to places beside her, and so now,
when a man entered the vestibule
very late, he was taken at once to
Mrs. Wrest's pew.
He was a tall man, with point
ed blond beard and blond hair just
slightly gray, distinguished looking
and handsome. Mrs. Wrest moved a
little and lifted her eyes. Then her
face went suddenly white, and she
crumpled forward in a dead faint.
The stranger lifted her up and
without noticing any ones inter
ference bore her into the vestibule.
Mrs. Rowland and few others rose
instantly and followed after the
twain.
"This is my wife," the stranger
explained tersely. els there any
thing you can do for her?"
She opened her eyes and looked
straight into those of her husband,
who was holding her as if he would
never let go again.
"Gordon!" she said and tainted
away again.
Next day Mrs. Wrest had ceased
to be mystery, for Mrs. Rowland
told all she knew, and she knew
great deal. She had heard the
whole story from Editha, while her
husband sat by ready to affirm every
word.
Gordon Wrest was the heir of an
old uncle who had once been in love
with Editha's mother. Not feeling
able in justice to provide for Editha
as he wished, he left his money to
Gordon only on the condition that
he marry her. So Gordon carried
out the old mans wishes and be-
came possessed both Of Editha and