The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1916-11-23


was understood that he was free to
love her so long as he lived.
But Walter got no further than q
beginning. He began with the words
Il have been married." whereupon
the lady poured upon him such a tor.
rent Of abuse that he stood like one
transtiXed.
"And so that old heather has kept
you under his thumb, after ALL she
said in rasping voice that he had
never heard come from her before. 81
always considered you a milksop, and
now l am sure Of it. Tell the woman
you've married that she hasn't cot
much of man with the fortune. I'm
lucky in escaping that part of it any
way
Thls Is but a sample of what the
woman poured out upon the man who
looking On love purely as q matter of
sentiment. had come to tell her that
the place she held in his heart would
never be occupied by any one else.
What she would have said to him had
he begun at the other end of his con-
fess1on-that all of his would be hers
did not appear; he had spoiled it. nv
beginning with an announcement that
she mad lost a large fortune. Her
naming eyes, her rasping voice. her
RED face, her contempt for him, drove
him out before she had finished.
HeaVens!' he exclaimed when he
got out into the cool air. what q hor.
r1ble fate have escaped"
He walked the streets for an hour
then went to his house. His wife was
just going to her room, but. noticing
his agitation, delayed her going and
asked him if anything serious had han.
pened. He Was in mood to desire an
ear into which to pour the shock he
mad received. She already knew of his
1nfatuation; it only remained for him
to tell how he had been disenchanted
IF there was ever a contemDtib1c
as1nlne, natural born FOOL" he began,
L am that person." Then he told her
where he had been. of his confession
ana the effect it had had on the object
OF his previous alteration. "Why. inst
Think" he went on, what a horrible
mess 1 would have got into if I had
married that woman! He'll would have
been heaven to it."
You are indeed fortunate in escap-
ing such fate. I have believed that
your father knew Of this infatuation
and one of his principal reasons in
forcing you into the condition Of legal
matrlmony with me was to get Won
out OF the tolls of an adventuress.'
Legal matrimony," repeated WAL
ter, Tor the first time quieting down
and pronouncing the words as if thew
hurt him.
And now" continued Helen, 81 will
say this: Since your fathers object in
withdrawing you from this woman
mas been accomplished, whenever YOU
and he concur in request that this
marriage between you and me be an
nulled I will consent"
The expression on Walters face is
not describable. He had received one
blow during the evening; here was an
other. The realization suddenly came
to him that for a bad woman he had
exchanged a good one. Had he not
been fool he might possibly have won
the girl whom his father had wished
MIN to marry and now, instead of be-
ing IN misery, he might be happy.
Helen started to leave him to 90 to
her room. He gave her an implorinc
look
Don't go at once" he said. I'm all
broken up"
She hesitated, turned and said: ANY
thing l can do to comfort you I will
90. But 1 realized before consented
TO this match that I was giving up
much in depriving myself Of one to love
me and whom I might love. With Won
it was different. You expected to find
that comfort which is to be derived
from pure affection elsewhere"
Still that wistful look on his face re-
Come she added, changing her tone
to a more cheerful one; "let us not be-
gin our life together repining. There
are refreshments in the larder. We
may play, as the children say, that this |
8 real wedding for us and be merry"
She summoned maid and told her !
If several dishes to bring that would |
be appreciated for a night supper.
When the viands were served the pair
sat down at the table. The bride placed |
1ainty bits on her husbands plate, |
md after eating the toothsome food |
md looking into a pair Of honest, sym
pathetic eyes Walter began to recover
rom the shock he had received, and |
t occurred to him that possibly, after
Ill, he might win this girl for his real
Is we'll as his legal wife.
An hour passed, and they had be-
'ome sufficiently chummy for Walter
o express this hope. He was met by
he assurance that, while the early TO-
mantle love period would not be theirs,
hey might grow with that more ma
ure, stronger affection that comes
Trough long companionship and a un-
on of interest: This made the young
husbands heart leap within him. he
ook her hand, bent toward her and
Used her.