A Butterfly on the Wheel; A Novel (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1912 edition. Excerpt: ...what have I done to you?" "George, I did lie," she wailed--"yes, I did; but only that, only that I am your wife Believe me believe me " "My wife No--no How am I to believe you? How am I to tell whether that's a lie or not?" "It's the truth " she reiterated, her voice shrill with pain. "I swear it I am as much your wife as I was the day you married me." Unable to stand longer, she sank down upon the sofa, sobbing terribly. "You have broken me," the man said--"crushed c o Q me. Oh I was mad to let you do it I was a fool to leave you alone But I trusted you. I laughed at the gossip. The ridicule only made my trust in you the greater. I worshipped you, adored you My whole life was a prayer to you, my ambition to make you proud of me. My whole aim in life was to win you, by doing big things--for you. And now it is all turned to desecration--to be the mock of the crowd " "Forgive me, George," she sobbed, "forgive me I'll come to you. I am humble, not you. I am struck down, crushed. But I'll be your slave. I am still your wife. I am still" He gazed at her searchingly. "You love Collingwood," he said in a hollow, empty voice. "No, no There was a time when I thought I did." "You thought you did When did you think it? Last night?" "No, George, no I love you I knew that last night, if I never knew it before. I love you, George " "I don't believe you," he answered coldly. "You and he were together alone when I telephoned." He spoke very deliberately now. "Was he," he asked--"was he with you when I telephoned at one o'clock?" "Yes," Peggy answered, ...