A Woman Martyr

exasperating blow--the discovery that his jealous surmise had been right--the wife he called wife because of those few words spoken in a registrar's office, alone

ething! To know there is 'another woman' will make her irrevocably

r hero, she had acknowledged that he could err. When he had been "wanted" by the police she knew that he was "in trouble," if through folly rather than ill-doing; and while he had left his broken-down mother without a hint as to his fate, owing her the money she had borrowed that he might not starve while in hiding, it was Vera who had kept a roof over her widowed step-mother's head--who had toiled and slaved for the lodgers all day

t was so terribly, cruelly convincing that her passion was unreciprocated, that while she was trembling and palpit

eard

o life by a long, close kiss; and there she lay, in an earthly heaven, until they crossed a bridge over the Thames, now a fairy river like quivering, mo

hbed in Wales, in the house which was really Vera's, for she paid the rent, but which his mother literally lived by

e all glittered white save one

ible prospect! But let into the silent house by Victor's latch-key, they found the little parlour silent also,

per: "Excuse me, I am so tire

e, Victor, you must have som

with a proprietary glance. "Take off

pon her throat--it seemed to make her weak, almost faint. Then he flung it aside--it fel

anding expression as they gazed into hers which frightened her a little, in spite of her unbounded

o her overcame any poor scraps of pride that flutt

e murmure

scornfully that they might all be everlastingly banished to Sheol except this one, and he would not turn a hair. He could look coolly over t

ly into his eyes, before she fell yieldingly into hi

. Unlike poor Joan, she had no burdened conscience draggi

you, eh? Frankly, I don't believe in one of your sex!" He gave a sneering laugh, as he struck a match, and, lighting a cigarette stuck it between his lips. "Little wond

put upon "that wretched business," as he termed his defalcations and conseque

y white and gazing at him as if in thos

into one of those beastly traps good-natured fellows fall into. I backed a bill for a chum, and he played me false, and left me to pay up. I borrowed money from the business, and then the governor suddenly came down upon me for it. I had to take her money and her with it. Nothing would do but I must marry her! Well, I did, and befor

red her face with her hands. He seated

. I mean to be free, with a capital to make merry on for the rest of our lives! I've only to play my cards properly, and you've only to keep mum. Can you, do yo

usly at him. "You know you are the whole world to me--th

atiently, springing up. "Upon my word, you are eno

a question to ask--when you tell me--you are married--when th

-yet should herself benefit to Joan's loss: and he set himself to such a lengthened course of cajolery and fascination of his admirer then and there, that the veils of night were shifti