Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-03-02

MY MARRIED LIFE
BY ADELE GARRISON

TCOULD hardly stand as | took the tele-
phone receiver from Mrs Stewards hand.
The revulsion from deadly fear to the as.
surance that everything was all right with
Dicky and Jack left me weak as baby.
Margaret" Jacks voice came over the
phone vibrant with tenderness and strength.
"Oh, Jack. jack was half-hystercal
from the strain | had been under, and
could not control the tears I'm my voice.
STEADY dear, steady" came Jacks quiet
voice. You must not break down now.
Everything is all right"
Did you see Dicky?" My throat was
so parched that the words were almost
whisper, but Jack caught them.
Yes, and | think we understand each
other he said quietly "lle Is on his way
10 you now. I want you to promise me
that you will forget everything that has
passed, and greet him lovingly. | simply
cannot go away unless | know that every
thing Is all right again between you and
your husband"
My thought flew back TO the last time
Jack had refused to leave me when trouble
threatened me. When the physician told
mo that my little mother could live but
few weeks he was preparing for his ex-
expedition TO South America
At considerable financial loss to himself
he had put aside his own plans. postponed
his trip, and devoted himself TO my mother
and me until everything was over and /
back at my work again
And could see in the light Of what had
learned since his return that the only
reason ne did not ask me to he his wife
at that time was the fear that | might
accept him through gratitude.
TRY TO FORGET ME"
Again the unbidden unwelcomc query
"a qr,tn 20, IN. mi.
have been better for me If he had revealed
his heart to mpn
Jacks voice brought mo bacl, from the
past to the present
What is the matter Madge? am
waiting. dear. for your word. ] know you
Will not break it"
Yes. Jack ] promise" | said family
But oh, Jack. | can't bear to have YOU
go away like this, Is this really the end
Am ! not to see you just once more?"
Never in all my partings with my
brother-couSin had ! felt so gricf-stricken.
or course this was partly due to the fact
mat he was going across the ocean to Join
the French engineering corps The chances
were very much against his ever coming
back again.
But there was n more sinister side TO
my sorrow. | felt guilty. as if it were my
hand that was pushing him across the
water. ! could not have felt worse II |
had written the warrant for his execution.
You are making it very hard for me-
dear Jacks voice held reproach that
stung me. you know | must not see you
again.
And Margaret" his voice sounded a
sterner, almost bitter note. "try to for |
get me altogether" |
HOW MRS STEWART HELPED
Il never can do that, Jack" ] answered |
tremulously.
Oh,
gravely Your future is with your hus-
band He loves you madly. devotedly
You must do nothing that will disturb your
happiness"
My brain was so filled with the image
IF Jacks going away from me that / did
not realize the significance of his words
about Dicliy.
II said good-by to you an hour ago"
ne deep voice went on. You know every
hlng That is in my heart. If YOU ever
reed me- and | am alive. Mrs. Stewart
vii let me know, and | will come to YOU
II once Now be a brave girl once more
md wish me luck"
you know I wish you everything that
S good" l returned. struggling with INV
obs, "Good-by. Jack"
'Good-by." The deep voice held hus-
ier note, and Jack hung up the receiver
brnptly. as If he too, could bear no more |
Inc moment had come! / had a feeling
which amounted almost to a premonitlon
nat never again would hear my brother
ousin's voice.
As ] turned from the telephone, Mrs
tewart rushed toward me-
Here, quick, sit down here" she said. |
nd going to her corner cupboard was back
lmost instantly with tiny glass of cordial |
something in my face must have alarmed !
er' Tor she pressed the pungent liquid to
ny lips and insisted that | drain every
rop of il.
! was too numb with the emotions that
ad racked me to resist her. / drank what
ne gave me, choking little at its strength,
nd then with closed eyes wearily rested
~ head against the chair back
felt my old friends hand lightly strok-
1g my hair, and her voice murmurine
,ords or which ! could catch only an oc-
aslonal one. But there was one word |
'hich | caught more than once.
Blind Blind! She said mournfulIv |
nd then Poor, blind child.'
(CopyrlGht)
CONTINUED TOMORROW
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