Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1921-03-24


Snow me so well? When, suspecting
he truth-but never how hideous 1t
Nas-I followed you back to New York
yesterday; when 1 tramped for hours
he streets where I had met and loved
and wOoed you and, as l thought, won
Tour love; when at length l caught
sight of Carnehan and logged him
from bar to bar, without his knowledge,
until finally he reeled into that infam-
)us place, and I, suspecting he might
aave had you imprisoned there, got
4 detail of police from the station
round the corner; when we broke in.
and I found you half demented with
FEAR, and you saw me and came run
ning into my arms: when that hap
pened-if you were and are not Leo
nora-how did you know who 1 was,
now came you at sight to cry out my
name, Mario?"
She begged his charity with clasped
hands.
eff you will only listen, can ex-
plain"
w ALl q Sul llOu NOllSChlCuS IbA hNN
his back to the fire, folded his arms.
His eyes held a sardonic CLEAN.
81 am listening"
She made impulsively to speak, but
uttered never sound. Her heart mis-
gave her. The story she must tell, If
she were to explain, was even more
preposterous than that which he was
refusing to credit. 1t would only earn
his deeper scorn. Her eyes turned
blank, her face expressionless.
81 am waiting" he prompted.
She looked away, and dropped, dis
couraged, respondent.
"Forgive me-" she said in a weak
voice. after all, 1 hardly know how
to explain. I can only ask you to be
kind-believe me when tell you I'm
not your wife, not Leonora."
His eyebrows climbed. "Who, then,
am I to believe you are?"
my name is Priscilla Maine, -
"I know no person of that name
"No; we never met"
1Still, you are well enough acquaint-
ed with me to use my Christian name
at first sight of me-without even the
formality of an introduction
She confessed sullenly: Il can't ex-
plain. It's impossible. But what
have told you is true: I am Priscil,
la Maine"
"And you, whom have never met
you tell me-you knew so much about
me that you knew 1 had gone to Nv
York, promising to return in time for
dinner, leaving my wife alone with
the servants; you knew she had dis
appeared. Perhaps you knew even
herr"
Overlooking the sarcasm, she de.
clared: "As well as I know myself
"At last r'-he offered her an ironic
bow-"something 1 can believed"
'FYou can convince yourself" she
suggested, eff you will get New York
on long distance, call Murray Hill two
three-six-one, and ask for Mrs. Trow
bridge"
"Well, what then"
"She will tell you her niece, Priscil
la Maine, has been missing since las
night"
"And what, pray, will that proven
"You may listen while 1 talk will
her. Her replies will prove an
Priscilla Maine"
He shrugged. "But you know yer!
well there is no telephone within ter
miles Of this camp"
In CONSERVATION she dropped bacl
into her chair and sat trying to think
Would it do any good to tell him tht
history of her dreams? Could shC
herself be convinced against her will
by such a story?
The answer came from Mario.
"It is useless" he said wearily. mo
do not interrupt me. Say nothing
more"
'But I must make you understand
/ must ~
mo, Leonora: 1 already understand
too well. You do not love me; ant
since you have found 1t difficult t,
escape me, you invent this cock-and
bull yarn to spare my feelings. 4
mistaken kindness. No matter: yol
make your wish clear. am to be
lieve you think you are not my wife
SO be it; I will believe that, but
can do so only at a price"
"Tell me what you mean"
"If l am to believe that you be
lieve you are not LeOnOra, must be
lieve that you are mentally deranged.'
He pondered gravely: "It is possible
terror and suffering have so WORKED
upon you"
Mario" she pleaded-"you can fint
out the truth if you'll take me to tn
nearest MISREPRESENTATION it's tel
miles or fifty-now, tonight, in you
motor car"
sit is too late. These good peopl
hereabouts go early to their beds
Shall 1 disturb them for no purpos
other than to humor a mad freak?"
'"Then let me go"
"Alone?"
"Pm not afraid"
"But I am afraid for you. Remem
Der how 1 found you last night, Il
peril Of your life. Shall 1 trust yo1
again to run yourself into God know
what danger? You need not ask tha
Of me, Leonora."
"What am 1 to do?" she cried, wiring
ing her hands.
Compose yourself. Go to you
room, rest quietly for tonight. In tn
morning, possibly, you will feel better
or possibly you will see how futile
Is to try to deceive me: you will want
perhaps, to tell me the truth"
81 have told you nothing elsew
"Then confess to the whole truth
You do not love me-"
She was dumb.
A gust of rage shook him violently
Standing over her with hot eyes in
blazing face he raised quivering arm
rs If tempted to strike her.
Confess ~
[ ---'4E Asa- s~Ia 800 1I-
Compliment Acknowledged.
"What are your views on the Leagu
of Nations?" asked the interviewer.