“I want you to know what a base man you have for a husband, Lillian.”
“You mean—” she gasped.
“That I have a confession to make, and I am determined to make it now.”
“A confession, Joseph—” and the little woman gained her feet.
Her face was white with a sudden fear—she even believed Joe was about to tell her some terrible truth—that he had never loved her—perhaps had been married ere he knew her.
At any rate she was dreadfully alarmed.
“Yes, I have been a villain to treat the best little woman in all the world so, but this old love was with me long before I knew you—it had become a part of my very life. I never knew how strong it was until lately. God knows I have tried to shake it off, and be faithful to my promise, but I am weak. I have sinned, Lillian, my wife, and I stand here humbly to ask if you can ever forgive me.”
He stood there with bowed head, proud even in his humility.
“But oh, Joe, to think—that woman—” and she burst into a torrent of tears.
He seized her hands and took them down from her face.