The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-06-10

az once on. YOU have no excuss'-
she added bitterly. Il remember
now you came down 10 stay with
Us at the time that letter must
have come. and you stole II from
me"
He folded hts arms and looked at
her with steady. defiant eye.
Yes. admit everything What I
did was an objectionable thiug-but
i loved YOU. too. II Was my only
chance OF winning you. FOR you were
dazzled BY the man and had lost
your sense OF perspective"
Il loved him and I never loved
you" she said. passionately. II was
only his unaccountable silence that
drove me into your arms But now
! know the truth. 1 still love him
and hate you"
His face flushed slightly
This - a thing OF the past now
you are my wife. Dallas has gone
out Of your life. You can't put back
the last Ave years You belong TO
me-
NO" she flashed. I belong to
myself I don't recognize the claim
OF man who won me with lies and
trick~ry. who betrayed his friend
and acted like a coward From to-
day | Eo my own way. and the nrst
thing / do will be TO try TO clear
Her husband broke into short
laugh.
All this is very heroic. very ro-
mantle. no doubt but not practical
by this time ! expect you have be-
come n memory TO this chap. what
use viii II serve him 10 Learn that
you never received HIS letter.
He will az least know that I was
true. that loved him. and would
have been his wife to share all his
troubles and hard times" she re-
torted. In this letter he mentions
n dreadful catastrophe that had
come TO him. and begged me TO wait
and trust him. and I might have
gone to him and assured him OF my
love had YOU not come between us"
Thank heaven / did he an
swered. Eraveiy. ~ all this were
20 happen again 7 would not hest
tate to act as ala then. l am not
ashamed OF my conduct; am only
sorry that ! was such a fool as TO
keep this letter"
i 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
difference tn the world. He NAV
have been "A poor man. without all
your money. hut his character was
upright and honorable. while yours
was the reverse
'fr only YOU had had some cause
90 keep this letter from me" she
went on. 1t would not have been 30
bad. but YOU had no reason-no
motive except Jealousy"
You are wrong" he began quick
y. 4 had the best reason In the
world. ~ you only knew"
Well she said scornfully. -
7 knew what Is this another story
YOU want 20 make up
lie shrugged his shoulders.
HIS Explanation
Z, Is nothing loved you-that
IL all I can say. II YOU wish 20 liv.
your own life apart from mine 7
have no alternative save TO abide
By your wish. but you are stili my
wife. and u is my duty 20 protect
YOU from any foolish act into which
you might be led by your impulses. 90
"Oh, shall create no scandal. ~
that - What YOU mean" she ans
wered proudly. Il shall not blaze
the story OF your treschery abroad,
but shall do my best TO ind
George Dallas and tell him that ]
never received his letter. That. az
least. owe him and myself The
rest can he settled between you and
him when YOU meet"
Max penison's mouth grew sud
denly hard.
Il don't fancy that Dallas and I
will ever meet again" he said
SLOWLY. ~ We did ! should be glad
to admit my reasons for having