Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1922-11-16


ened, as II the crippled, hating mel
ody had some power OF its own, and
poured TINS Iortn. even mus tramplec.
guess you could do most any
thing you set your hand to-" said
Cornish.
"Oh, no.. Lulu said again
"Sing and play and cook"
But | can't earn anything. I'd like
to earn something But this she had
not meant to say. She stopped, rather
frightened.
You would, Why, you have 1t fine
here. | thought"
"Oli, fine yes. Dwight gives me
what have. And | do their work"
Il see, said Cornish II never
thought of that" he added. she
caught his speculative look-he had
heard tale or two concerning her re-
turn rs who in Warbleton had not
heard?
You're wondering why | didn't
stay with him." Lulu said recklessly.
This was no less than wrung from her,
hut its utterance occasioned in her IN
unspeakable relief
"Oh, no." Cornish disclaimed. and
colored and rocked
"les, YOU are she swept on. "The
whole towns wondering. Well. I'd like
EN- to know, but Dwight won't let me
tell"
Cornish frowncd, trying 10 under
stand
"'W ont let you" he repeated. 81
should say that was your own affair"
"No. Not when Dwight gives me all
| have"
"oh, that" 5a:a Cornish. That's
not right"
NO. But there it is. 1t puts me-
YOU see what it does 10 me. They
think-they all think my-husband
left me-"
1t was. curious TO hear her bring out
that word-tentativcly deprccating-
ly, like some one daring foreign
phrase without warrant
Cornish said feebly: "Oh, well.
Before she willed it, she was telling
him:
"He didn't. He didn't leave me-
she cried with passion. "He had an
other wife" Incredibly it was rs if
she were defending both him and her
self
Lord sakes :" said Cornish.
She poured il out. in her passion to
tell some one, 10 share her news Of
her state where There would be neither
hardness nor censure.
"We were in Savannah. Georgia."
she said I'VE were going to leave for
Oregon-golng to go through Califor-
MIA We were in the hotel and he
was going out TO get che tickets He
started to go. Then he came back.
was sitting the same rs there. lie
opened the door again-thc same as
here. saw he looked dilferent-and
he said quick: There's something
you'd ought TO know before we 90.
And Of course, | said, WHAT And he
said ii right outflow he was married
eighteen years ago and in two years
she ran away and she must be dead,
but he wasn't sure. lie hadn't the
proofs. SO, Of course. | came home
But ii wasn't him left me-
mo. no. OF course he didn't"
Cornish said earnestly. Put, Lords
sales" he said again He rose to
walk about, found it impracticable
anti sat down.
"That's what Dwight don't want me
10 tell-he thinks it isn't true. lie
thiiks-he didn't have any other wife.
lie thinks he wanted Lulu looked
ND at him. "You sec" She said
Dwight thinks he didn't want me-
But why don't you make your hus-
band-I mean. why doesn't he write
TO Mr. Deacon here, and tell him the
truth" Cornish burst out.
Under this implied belief. she re-
Taxed and into her face came IFS rare
sweetness.
"He has written" she said. The
letters there
He followed her look. scowled at the
two letters
"WLatd he say?'
"Dwight don't like me TO touch his
mail I'll have to wait till he comes
back"
"Lord sakes!" said Cornish.
This time he did rise and walk
about. He wanted to say something,
wanted IL with passion. He paused
beside Lulu and stammered
You're too nice girl to
get deal like this. Darned If you
aren't
To her own complete surprise Lulu
eyes filed with tears, and she could
not speak. She was by no means
above self-sympathy.
"And there amt" said Cornish sor-
rowfully there amt thing l can
do"
And yet he was doing much. lie
was gentle. he was listening, ana on
his face a frown of concern. His race
continually surprised her, it was sc
fine and alive and near. by comparison
with Ninians loose-lippcd. rudy, inn
personal look and Dwights Thin hign'
boued hardness. All the time Cornish
gave her something instead, OF draw
ing upon her. Above all. he was there
and 1be could talk to him.