Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-09-07
CHAPTER CXLIII.


Then there came a day when | could
not rise from my bed tho tried until
tainted. Mother came up to see why
| had not come down to breakfast and
found me lying ON the floor. She and
Norah revived me then she sent for the
doctor.
There seems to be nothing partic.
ular the NATTER he told mother after
an extensive examination. Il guess it
is just a nervous breakdown. Rest and
nourishing food will bring her out all
right, and patting me on the hand in
his fatherly way he and mother left me
with Norah. ] had know the doctor all
my life, and in way his friendly little
pat comforted me.
''Shall | write Tom you are ill?''
mother asked when she came back.
"No, indeed just let he lie quietly
a few days | IL be all right, and turn
ed my face away that she might not
see the tears of weakness.
''Very well dear. 1t shall be just as
you say. But if you want him tell me,
won t youq"
eyes" l answered. "If l wanted
him.. God alone knew how / wanted
him. But l had come to the point where
believed he never would take me hack.
l had completely lost hope that he
would forgive me; and as time had
passed l had realized to q certain ex-
tent the seriousness of my actions, es-
pecially that of my relations with Carol
Blackjack. And while / knew myself
innocent of any unfaithfulness, l saw
how it must look to Tom or anyone
who knew what | had done.
Unavailing Regrets.
hated my clothes, many OF which
had been paid for with Carol Black
lock S money. And until / was taken
sick l wore the simplest things l had.
Some of the extravagant things / had
not even unpacked. | was ashamed to
let mother see them. SO wore only the
clothes that Tom might well afford to
give me instead of the ones for which
L had lost my home and my husband.
Perhaps there are people who will
not understand how | can say such a
thing. How it can be possible for a
woman to lose her home and husband
because of her love for finery. But there
are many other who WILL understand,
who either have lost their usband IS love
or who have certainly made him miser-
able, and ruined his business career by
their desire to wear expensive and beau
tiful clothes they could not afford.
Day after day as l lay in bed grow
ing weaker and weaker / thought of
these things. Day after day l fretted
for Tom, for the feel of his arms
around me, his kisses on my lips. And
when each night closed me in ana he
had not come, lay staring at the cell
ing, hopeless, almost praying to die. Yet
not quite desiling to go because of the
they seemed far off, and unreal. Only
the loss of my husband was real. Only
Tom seemed TO matter.
Mrs. Werner Pleads.
There came days when for hours l
seemed to drift away from everyone
When / would come back with sort
of start to find mother bending over
me her eyes filled with tears.
"Let me send for Tom2 she pleaded.
"No, he wouldn It Gomez
"Let me try?" she coaxed. "'I must
10 something Sue. The doctor says there
is nothing the matter with you save
he cannot help. That you are
worrying yourself TO death. Do let me
send for your husband. No matter what
has separated you his place is here
now.
But / was stubborn and still refused
the permission she sought. She had Civ
sn her promise never to send for him
without my consent, and l knew she
would keep it--at least | believed she
would.
/ had not seen the children for days. |
Mother was the only one who now came
nto my room. Then l did not remember
Ter. They told me afterward that for
lays | lay either unconscious, or quiet
y whispering Of my love for Tom, and |
ny desire that he forgive me.
Then one day ] opened my eyes to
ind Tom standing by the bed. thought I
t an hallucination, and yet ! stretched /.
,ut my hands to him.
''T0m, dear Tom,' / murmured as
le took them in his firm grasp and then !
eaned over and kissed me, while l felt |
wet and warm drop on my |
ACE. a. Have you come TO see me die +!
[ IN glad, Tom, please don't leave me
lgain.
% No, dear, I" never leave you
again. he replied, then the old doctor
reid glass to my lips, and after Tom,
still holding my hands, drifted off to
sleep.
When ] awoke Tom was still beside
me-. Afterward mother told me that |
lad slept for hours, but that he would
not move from his cramped position for
fear he would disturb me.
''Do you know me, Sue2" he asked,
again bending over me.
cit is Tom," replied, then again
fell asleep.
Tomorrow New Life.
The career Of Mayor Thompson may
we'll be emulated by all American
yOutbs who dc not expect to be presi- !