Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1919-04-25
The
ofer'S
Wife
SAD, DISTURBING THOUGHTS
FOLLOW.
By JANE PHELPS.
Copyright, George Mathew Adams)
CHAPTER LXXV.

CHAPTER LXXV.
l sat for an hour without moving,
stunned by what Mr.. Frederick had
told me. l went over our conversa-
ton, every word seemed fairly burn
ed into my memory so fearfully had
they hurt me. That Neil my Neil,
the father of my boy should be dis
honest; should knowingly cheat and
deceive people was almost unbear-
able. Yet once more 1 filled with
d1strust, once more had veered en-
tirely around in my thoughts.
l had been so sure that in this last
analysis Neil would prove himself all
thought him; that in this talk with
Mr.. Frederick should learn that all
my fears, all my forebodings had
been useless, that the cruel gossip
l had heard had been nothing but
gossip, and without foundation, that
the reaction was terrible.
Can 1 ever believe in him again?
Can I ever be happy?" l said aloud
as l got up and weakly, like an old
woman climbed the soft carpeted
stairs to my room, the room which
I had so delighted in, and which now
looked at olmost with loathipg as I
recalled what Mr.. Frederick had
said. People were blaming Neil for
living as we did-perhaps they were
also blaming me. Maybe they
thought l wanted him to be dishon-
est SO l could have handsome home,
cars, and all the luxuries we enjoyed.
The thought was torture.
I deliberately made a round of the
house. Even into the kitchen did l
go, impressing upon myself the lux
ury with which l was surrounded.
Could it be true that Neil was really
taking money from widows and or
phans to buy all this? l tried to re-
flute it in my mind, tried to say no,
he hadn't done so! Everything we
had had been honestly earned, but
couldn't. In the light of what Mr.
Frederick had told me, l couldn't!
l knew he would not willingly
hurt me, that while he was blunt he
was also kind. He had probably sof-
tened much; Things perhaps were
worse than he had told me No won
der he as well as Lorraine tried to
save me from the modification which
would have been mine had l adhered
, to my plan to enter society. No won
der he had advised me to wait until
he had a look in I wondered if he
had seen Mr.. Powers-he had said
that he might. Why didn't I think
to ask him. l wouldn't fail to do so
next time he came. He, everyone
had great respect for the big bank
er, and his opinion.
l started to order the car, then
halted. The cars, too, were they not
bought with other peoples money?
Was not Neil criticised for having
them also? No, not until l knew
more of what was true, and what
false would use the cars. I would
walk.
1t may have been a morbid streak
in me that made me choose the old
est, plainest dress in my wardrobe.
Then l took little Robert in his
go-cart and walked for an hour
When 1 came back I felt better physi-
cally; but my mental distress had
been increased.
| had met Lorraine Morton. She
turned and walked with me, looking
in surprise at my costume.
Where oh where is the stylish
Mrs. Forbes gone, oh, where oh,
where has she gomez" she sang out
at me.
Lorraine will you answer me a
question, and answer it truthfully?
asked without preamble.
"If / answer it at all 1 will tell the
truth she bantered l was sure
she had no idea of what l was going
to say.
Are people talking of our extra
gance, our new house, cars and all
the other things when they speak of
usT l couldn't say Nell'S name. 1t
stuck in my throat
Barbara" Then: Eyes
Barbara, they are! l never should
have told you, had you not asked.
But they say he takes the money
given him to invest and uses it to
make splurge, to live on. l am
sorry you asked me. ! am afraid
you will connect me only with disa-
greeable things"
81 wanted the truth"
Il know you havn't been to blame
Barbara. You didn't know"
81 have been to blame l should
have made it my business to know"
To morrow - Barbara Plans Re-
trenchmeni.