Tensas gazette., 1916-01-14

She bowed. Mrs. Stranger" she N
quired.
Doris stood looking at her steadily
her hands clasped in front of her. ID,
you love my husband? ?" she asked.
Lydia Emmons. entirely at a los,
how to answer. remained silent.
Il have not come to you to max.
trouble" Doris went on. But, 70,
see, love Mortimer. and we have M
children. So that will make 1t easier.
Easier for what?"
ITO let him divorce me-"
Il will answer you truthfully," sale
Lydia. Il do not love your husband
at all"
Then why is your pame coupled
with his constantly? Why does he
spend all his time with you? Oh
won't you either take him, II you wan,
each other. or give him back to me p
wept Doris.
Lydia looked at her, and an intense
curiosity stirred in her. She put heI
hands upon the other woman's shoul
ders.
why does he mean SO much &c
you?" she asked. "He is not worthy
of you"
He is! He isl" cried Doris indie
nantly. 1T is who am not worthy
of him. have not been able to live
as he wished me to live. He is my
husband, and it is my duty to make
him happy. l want a chance to try"
Lydia Emmons was still more as.
founded. "But-but l don't want tc
rob you Of him." she stammered. Tell
me. Mrs. Strange. what sort of woman
do people say that | ann"
'Bad!" sobbed Doris. like a resent.
full child.
Very bad? Thoroughly vicious
and depraved?"
Il don't pay heed to gossip unlesz
! have to. But people in our circles
are talking. That was why l came to
you"
What would she think II she knew
what Mortimer had asked her? Lydia
was suddenly appalled,.
Mrs. Strange" she said quietly, q
am not what the world would call 0
good woman. suppose. Maybe l am
naturally bad. or maybe I never had
a dogs chance when I was a girl. But
! am not as bad as some think. Do
you know. have often wanted an Cd
portunity to make some sacrifice. to
show that there is some good in me.
1t isn't much Of sacrifice so far az
your husband is concerned. Mrs.
Strange-but I'm going to make 1t. I
am going to bring him to your feet
forever"
Doris looked up swiftly into the
others face, and she put her hands
in Lydia's with the same childlike con.
fidence.
"Oh. believe in you!" she cried. Il
am so sorry for what said. You are
good woman. and / shall tell every.
body So"
Lydia smiled and kissed her.
On the veranda of the club Morti.
mer Strange was waiting for Lydia
Emmons. He had been waiting most
of his spare time during the past three
days. and he was uneasy and per.
picked at not having seen her. 1t was
growing dark. and a sort Of jaded 70
nance was growing in the mans
soul
And when at last she came the spu
rious passion that leaped up in his
heart threatened to sweep him from
his bearings. She was dressed all In
white, and there was a look on, her
face that reminded him. though he
did not know why. of Doris in the days
Of their courtship.
She sat down at his side and they
two were together at last. as Morti.
mer had hoped. He took her hand.
'Lydia!" he cried exultantly. 81
have brought the proof with me-the
proof for which you asked"
He drew the paper from his pocket
and gave 1t to her.
Here is the value of a million dol
lars" he said. What the bribes of
The Reich company could not effect ia
yours. You shall keep it. and the pro
,eeds. as the proof Of my love-"
"Morty." said Lydia quietly. did
you ever tell any other woman that |
you loved herr"
mot as tell you," he answered.
your wife. then. You didn't care |
or her when you asked her to share |
7our life in the long ago?"
Mortimer wriggled In his chair. |
Why do you mention my wife?" he
lsked.
Because you have the best wife in
he world. and are the least deserving
II her." she answered. you are .
ool. Morty. just common little fool.
lou are going to get the worst turn
ng down that you have ever had. You
ire going to be made to see yourself
IS you area little man in big part,
Who has lost his bearings and taken
he spurious for the real Go home to
our wife. Morty. and ask her forgive
ess upon your bended knees. because
ou need 1t badly"
The man rose. furious. trembling.
You led me on. even II am Q
DOL" he shouted. What was yovr
anne. then? You have thrown away
fortune. Where do you come int"
Lydia laughed icily. Il was prom
sed ten thousand to get this for the
,eich company, that's ALL" she an
wered. handing him the paper.