The Lamar register., 1917-12-19
The Ordeal
By ALVAH ]. GARTH
(copyrirht. 1917. western Newspaper Union

he was all in the world to her! Had
he not made that first month of mar
ried life happy, peaceful, complete7
The parents of Nina Cliff that was,
Mrs. Warren Sinclair now, had found
no fault with her choice for young
Sinclair. Warren Sinclair had come
to Springfield from the East where,
according to his credentials, he had
been reliable travelling representative
of leading manufacturing house.
Its love at first sight, so why not
say sof" declared Sinclair in his brisk.
definite way. with the fall shall
have to make four months business
trip through the South, and 1t won't be
dull or lonesome If my wife is with
me-"
Those were bllssful four months
for the devoted pair Then Warren sug-
gested that they spend a week at a
quiet summer resort forty miles from
the city, locking up the cozy furnished
little fiat they had rented.
Locust Grove boosted but one hotel,
old-fashioned. but immensely home
like and comfortable. The happy cou-
pie nestled down into solid enjoyment
of the boating, motoring and appetiz-
ing meals, until Warren was called
away for the day to neighboring
town on business.
Nina knew scarcely how to put in
the time. She strolled about the
grounds. read. dozed In a hammock
hotel, which was more like home sit.
ting room than a lobby.
The motherly housekeeper was bus
tling about. busting the furniture as
Nina tried to read the local newspa-
per. just arrived. She failed to get
interested and wandered about. study
ing the antiquated prints on the wall.
Finally she came across the time-worn
hotel register. frayed and ink spat-
tered and opened.
"Oh" The cry, sharp. sudden, soul
rending escaped her whitened lips. In
voluntarily. Then. clinging to the desk
In startled horror upon the entry,
about a year old
warren Sinclair and wife !"
Oh. this was no delusioni There
could never by any coincidence be two
different Warren Sinclairs, and their
wives come to the same hotel. Her
vision blurred and she felt herself sink
ing to the floor. when the kindly house
keeper rushed to her side and sup
ported her.
-Are you Ill. dear7" she questioned
solicitously.
"No. only faint. only overcome"
murmured Nina family. Help me to
my room, please"
She was a being Of quick wits and
speedy resolution. She indited a brief
note to her husband, telling him that
she had learned all. and was leaving
never to see him again.
IT am going to the CITY," she told
the landlady simply, walked to the de-
pot and reached the now desolated lit
tie fat In the city two hours later.
II must think-think !" she repeated
over and over. She at length made up
her mind. Yes, she would go to her
family, a broken. hopeless creature.
and wear her life away in mourning
over her fatal mistake and her lost
love. She resumed her hat and cloak.
took up the satchel and had just reach
ed the door when a quick knock re-
sounded on its outer panels.
Hello. warreni I've travelled over
a thousand miles to see you and
Pardon me. madam. thought 1t was
Mrs Sinclair"
The tones were roundly heartsome.
the man who spoke rotund, jolly faced,
with eyes shining with animation and
excitement.
you wished to see Mr.. Sinclairr
Nina nerved herself to say formally.
HE is not here"
"They told me at the corner drug
store he lived here. This is too bad
and I so hoped to see him, and the
precious darling wife he wrote me
about, and"
'T am Mrs. Sinclair" pronounced
Nina in measured, steely tones.
You will forgive my bad break,
then. won't your" pleaded the young
fellow. impetuously as some penitent
school boy. ~ must say. though. that
Warren has not exaggerated In de-
scribing you as"
"Please do not delay me-" interrupt
ed Nina, in no mood for compliments.
"T am going away. You know Mr.. Sim
clairf"
Know himw almost shouted her