Page:The New Penelope.djvu/42

36 well acquainted with the family of Mr. Seabrook, and that his wife and several children were living when he left Ohio.

"Can you bring this man to me?" I asked, trembling with horrible apprehensions.

"I don't know as I could," said he; "for he went, I think, over to the Sound to look up a place. But I can give you the name of the town he came from, if that would be of any use." I had him write the address for me, as I was powerless to do it for myself.

"I am sorry for you," he said, as he handed me the slip of paper; "that is, if you care anything for the rascal."

"Thank you," I returned, "but this thing is not proven yet. If you really mean well by me, keep what you have told me to yourself."

"You mean to live with him?" he asked.

"I don't know what I shall do; I must have time to think."

"Very well; it is no affair of mine. I don't want a bullet through my head for interfering; but I thought it was no more than fair to let you know."

"I am very grateful, of course;—I mean I am if there is any occasion; but this story is so strange, and has come upon me so suddenly that I cannot take it all in at once, with all its consequences."

"I know what you think," he said finally: "You suspect me of making up this thing to be revenged on you for preferring Seabrook to me. I'd be a damned mean cuss, to do such a turn by any woman, wouldn't I? As to consequences, if the story is true, and I believe it is, why your marriage amounts to nothing, and you are just as free as you were before!"

"I fancied his face brightened up with the idea of my freedom, and a doubt of his veracity intruded upon my growing conviction. Distracted, excited, pressed down with cares and fears, I still had to attend to my daily tasks. I