Mrs. Bob: A Novel — page 128: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

120 SENATOR JOHN’S SECRET. sorry, wotried all afternoon, and when I could shake off my business at night hurried home. “T found a cold house—empty’’—he groans at the remem brance—‘‘at first I thought it was her father’s work—then I remembered that Ruth had intended going with a neighbor upon some sort of a picnic—it was on a boat. A terrible thing flashed before me. While hurrying home I remembered hearing the newboys shouting an extra—there had been some sort of accident to an excursion boat which had sunk or burned up. MHorrified, I rushed out wildly and found a newsboy. The accident was a frightful one— two dozen people had been killed—the boat was burned and not a name mentioned.”’ Senator John bows his head and there is silence for a moment, during which Bob’s hand steals out and grasps that of his friend, to give it a squeeze that comes from the heart. ‘I shiver to think of those days I-spent trying to find my dear one’s remains—those horrible sights have haunted me ever since. When it was found im- possible I was taken away by a friend—an attack of brain fever followed our arrival at a country place, but death passed by. I lived to know sorrow—to mourn over the terrible fact that my last words with my dear wife were those of anger, the only time I had ever spoken save in love to her. ‘Enough, dear boy—take warning from the years of suffering I have endured—let no cloud come be- tween the one you love and yourself. I have broken the seal of secrecy which has been upon my lips for many years, believing, hoping that I might save you.