Should She Have Left Him? — page 253: what you’re looking at

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

DOROTHY S PROPOSAL, 247 ‘Well, the first is that, owing to the peculiar rela- tion I bear to the boy, it might be charged that I had forced Mrs. Trescotte to an acquiescence.” “Doubtless,” said the lawyer. ‘*Pure selfishness,” said Mrs. Trevor-Allen. “Your pride rebels at the thought.” Trescotte laughed. “It is true,” he said, “but I will dismiss my pride.” “Objection number one disposed of!” cried Mrs. —Trevor-Allen. “But what will its effect be on Mrs. Trescotte?” “Objection number two,’ said the widow. “Won't such an act raise up a great deal of talk and set tongues wagging again?” “They must wag, then,” said Dorothy. “They have wagged industriously for a year, and still we live and are happy.” “A nine day's wonder. The christening of the baby you have at home will cause as much,” re. marked the widow. “T am inclined to believe,” said the lawyer, “that while gossip and speculation will follow the act, that the utmost malice can do will be to insinuate that Mrs. Trescotte had been forced to comply. But since it is not so, it need not be counted here. In- deed, I’m also inclined to think that the great majority will approve and sympathize with the act, as one virtuous and noble, and for which Mrs. Tres. cotte should be applauded.” “Oh, don’t discuss me so much,” cried Dorothy, abashed. ‘Talk about the business we came on.” Comicloee® S C@ 3