Life of John Allison Macfadyen (1891)

Common-Law Wife is a fictional story of love, trust, and betrayal. In the final moments of his life, Andrew Ashe (Andy) regrets not having done right by Ellen, his companion of twenty-six years, with no time to correct his mistakes. Ellen is with him in the bathroom as he experiences chest pains. When their eyes meet in the mirror, Andy, with his last breath, begs Ellen to forgive him. When they met at Len’s Club Tenderly and started on a whirlwind courtship, Andy showed Ellen a new and better lifestyle. After a romantic weekend on Sanibel Island, Andy put a diamond on Ellen’s finger but did not propose. They moved in together, but never married. Although disappointed, Ellen decided she was happier with him than she would be apart from him. Ellen had no idea why Andy had asked for forgiveness. After his funeral she made a shocking discovery.