you in the least.
How could you think otherwise? My position was a strange one, bound to
awaken suspicion; my conduct immodest. Yet you must accept my
explanation, for I shall tell the truth. I was never guilty of such an
act before--never! Perhaps because I was never tempted. There is a
home I could return to, and a mother, but they are more than a thousand
miles from here. But I cannot go, even if I possessed the means,
because of my pride--my false pride possibly. I have chosen my course,
and must abide by it to the end."

She drew a long breath, speaking very slowly.

"It is a hard story to tell, for the wound is still fresh, and hurts.
I was upon the stage--not long, but with sufficient success so that I
had become leading woman with one of the best stock companies. It was
against my mother's wish I entered the profession, and she has never
become reconciled to it, although our relationship remained pleasant.
A few months ago, while playing in Omaha, I met Fred Bernard. I knew
little of him, but he appeared gentlemanly and well-to-do, and was
presented to me by one in whom I had confidence. He was pleasant, and
apparently in love with me; I liked him, was flattered by his
attentions, and discouraged in my ambition. When he asked me to marry
him conditions were such that I accepted, even consented, under his
urging, to an immediate ceremony. We came to this city, were quietly
married here, and occupied a flat on the north side. My husband did no
work, but received remittances from home, and apparently had plenty of
means. He told me little about himself, or his condition, but promised
to take me to his people in a little while. He said his father was
wealthy, but eccentric; that he had told him of our marriage, but there
had been a quarrel between them, and he could not take me there without
an invitation. I was never shown the letters, but they bore Southern
postmarks."

She paused, hesitating, her eyes full of pain.

"I--I was afraid to question, for--for he proved so different after our
marriage. He was a drunkard, abusive and quarrelsome. I had never
before been in intimate contact with anyone like that, and I was afraid
of him. Whatever of love I might have felt died within me under abuse.
He struck me the second day, and from that moment I dreaded his
home-coming. For weeks I scarcely saw him sober, and his treatment of
me was brutal."

Tears were in her eyes, but she held them back,