The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1917-04-28
THE WIFE OF IRA. HOPKINS


me-that she was married seven
years ago"
Tarrant gasped and checked himself
upon the verge Of an exclamation. l
saw his lips form the word "impossi-
ble," and he began shaking his head.
"If it is true" cried Morton, II don't
know whether to be more sorry for
myself or her."
Nov, my dear fellow, let US get
at the story systematically" said the
Doctor. When did she tell you
this?"
Yesterday afternoon, when I was
calling on her. We have been en-
gagged three months and expected to
be married in about six weeks tirae.
Miss Digby has never shown any signs
OF abnormality except that she is
given to what is called 'day-dream-
ing Frequently she falls into brown
study which lasts a couple OF min
utes, and during that period she Is
entirely oblivious to what ia taking
place around her. But that is of no
Significance"
Pardon me; it Is of the greatest
significance" replied the Doctor. ut
Is true trance condition. Of limit
ed kind. 1t is process of auto
Observation-Disclosures. that is to
say-which may reveal a great deal
to the specialist. But proceed"
II had grown accustomed to these
states, which do not occur with great
frequency" continued Morton, "but
yesterday l was little piqued that
one should occur at time when she
had given me reason to believe that
well, that she thought a good deal
of me. And 80 / shook her gently, to
bring her out Of it."
my dear Mr.. Morton! You might
have done serious harm. And then
she made that astonishing statement
to your"
"She turned around and, without tss
slightest expression, Of shame or
guilt, informed me that she was mar
ried. seven years ago, ii4the Harmony
Hall, q low sort of dance hall across
the Avenue, to a man called Ira Hop
kins."
what, Hopkins, the corner gro
cer?" shouted Tarrant, leaping out of
his seat.
eyes," answered Morton, overcome
with emotion. "Of course, 1t was fam
tastic. An instant later she came out
Of her reflections and gravely told me
| that she loved me with her whole
heart. made some excuse. hurried
out of the room, went home, and wrote
that letter to YOU"
"And you have net seen her SINGER"
mo. I have written saying that
was called out Of town on urgent
business. What can do, Doctor? !
feel that shall go mad"
"Have you spoken to this man Hop
kins?" asked Tarrant.
"Of course not, you idiot" answered
Morton angrily. "Why, confound you,
he has a wife and three children"
"Have you examined the marriage
| records?" asked Emmanuel.
James Morton scratched his head
| In perplexity. 81 never thought OF
that" he muttered shamefacedly.
at Is common, among hysterical
persons, for them to accuse them
selves of all kinds Of things" contin'
ued the Doctor kindly. Now don't
you rush OF to the marriage bureau
Go out OF town at once, as you have
said, and stay away for q week. Al
the end OF that time come back and
you shall know the truth"
"A week." cried Morton. Il CAM
wait q day. Why, you can find out
In an hour"
Hardly that" answered Immanue
quietly. .The old records are at AL
bany, you know"
ssThree days, then"
/ 81 said q week." replied the doc
tor infiexibly. IF you cannot accep'
my proposal"
"You promise to have the whole
problem settled when ! come back
them"
i "One week from tonight" replied
the Doctor. And after rather pain
| full scene Tarrant and ] got the poo
fellow out of the room and took hin
to his home.
4 / heard nothing more for thinl
Eve days, except that Tarrant caile'
me on the telephone the following
morning and told me that he hat
stayed the. night at Morton's hous'
and had seen him on to the countr'
| early the next morning. On the eve
ming OF the nth day. however. ] re
!. | ceived q telephone message from In
manuel, saying that Tarrant had bee
dining with him and asking II couh
join them that evening. found then
talking earnestly together in the cor
] sulting, room. But when spoke Q
the case Emmanuel seemed slight
, embarrassed.
II ssThe fact ID" he admitted. "all Dc
i peuds upon the result OF this evs
j aing's work; that ~ why I asked 20
: Ito came In a i witnoss. ] have ha
II The marriage records examined an
there In certainly none Of such Q PR
81 poskefo1s union ~ 10 supposed TO hav
ioccurred.T But. - you may know
n some Of the records were destroye
I I'm the Capitol are. and It ID possibl
81 that this was among them ! hav
made the acquaintance OF Hopkini