The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1918-09-27
HIS WIFE
BY MILDRED WHITE.
right, 1918, Western Newspaper
Union,)


Copyright, 1918, Western Newspaper
Union.)
Richards arms stretched despairing-
ly across his desk, and presently his
head dropped, to rest between them. 1t
was all over as far as he was con-
cerned, and there was nothing to do
but go away and leave Constance in
ard should never have presumed to
take her. But "love" at that time had
seemed to be "the greatest thing in the
world" Wealth, and all it's protecting
comforts paled to nothingness besides.
He had not realized in youths conf
dence to what length his ambition for
his wife was leading him.
Creditors had forced the fact upon
him-he was in debt, hopelessly In
debt. How had expenses been allowed
to exceed so completely his regular In
come?
Surely the smart little coupe had
been needful; Connie, perched on the
arm of his chair, had delighted In the
convenience of her purchase.
The beautiful bungalow with its
well-kept lawn had been her appropri-
ate setting. The bungalow must go,
this was now inevitable, the servants
engaged by his wife must be dismissed.
War conditions might partially ex-
cuse his own lack of success in money
matters. He could bear the fathers
contempt-it was of Connie he was
thinking. How would she look when
he told her the truth? What would
she do? But there was just one thing,
Of course, that she could do. She must
60 back to her fathers home.
.White-faced, and with lines Of suffer
ing about his mouth, he raised his
head-reached for the telephone-no,
he could not tell her-yet. He would
write letter, that would be the easiest
way. He would place the sum Of their
indebtedness against that Of his in
come; Connie should draw her own
conclusion and give him answer.
Not once did 1t occur to him that his
merry little wife might have shared
the blame, yet it was she who had Sc
lected plans for the bungalow and its
costly location.
When the letter was sent on Its
way, Richard left town for a bust.
ness trip. On his return he would
learn his fate. His own street seemed
strange as he drove up to the bungalow
door, and the auto went for the last
time perhaps-back to the stone
garage.
The rooms were empty as he passed
from one to another, speaking air of
desertion lowered everywhere. In
Comics own boudoir, bureau draw.
ers and closets stood open-she had
been packing-and was gone. Rich.
ard sank YEARLY into chair and rang
for maid; his fears were realized !;
yet he knew that he had been hoping
against hope, allowing himself to
fancy the impossible-that Connie
might still have loved him enough to
face with him new beginning of
things.
'Mrs. Byron started to pack imme
diately upon receiving his letter." the
maid informed him. "She had left the
address Of her destination If he wished
it."
Richard caught at the scrap of pa.
per. "WillOwdale," he read in Con.
MES writing, and that was all. He
wrinkled his brow perplexedly, then
sighed. No doubt WillOwdale was
some new country place Of her fathers,
They directed him at the railroad
station. It was q small suburban town
he learned, not far from the city, The
agent at Willowdale shook his head
when Richard inquired for the home OF
Constance's father. That great mans
name appeared to be unknown.
"Mrs. Byron then" Richard asked.
"can you direct me to herr"
The agents face frightened visibly
"White cottage" he replied, "acrost
from the square"
Richard was still perplexed as he
turned into the garden path leading tc
the white cottage. 1t was very pretty
ing the veranda pillars, but he could
not understand what Connie should BIZ
doing there-and at the doorway she
met him. He paused breathless before
her radiant face. There were not re
proaches, surely, In that evident hap
piness.
"Come in," said Connie. She laughed
as he had not heard her laugh since
those first joyous days long ago. Their
Mt sight of her husbands wan face, she
put up her arms to draw him down tc
her.
"Dear," she murmured, welcome
this Is home at last"
Richard held her close. you near
=" he asked eagerly.
"That / have never really had o
! home" said Constance. Always there
were servants about to order things