The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1868-02-15


lilo passed restless night; his mind full of
doubts and isisgivinss as to the wisdom OF what
| ne hcd hitherto considered the hgppiest event Of
has life. But, with all his self reproaehes there
was not in that generous heart bitter thought
| for her, who was sleeping SO peacefully by his
side. AS he thought of her youth. her inexpe
| ence, he was moved with compassionate tender
ness.
Poor child :" he sighed, 81 have done her
| greater wrong than she is doing me, l fear Ali.
il had only been content with being the friend,
| the benefactor she once called me" Il
g Come home early, Mark, DEAR said Lois, the
next morning. as she lifted her rosy lips to re-
ceive his parting kiss. 81 have particular rea.
| son for asking this of you to-day"
| Mr.. Wayland WAS too distracted to observe
the tender infection given to the last words and.
for moment shadow darkened the clear, sun.
NY eyes that were raised to his. Bat it soon dis
| appeared. and her husband, giving the REQUIRED
| promise, hastened away.
We will now return to Pct,r Catin whom
! We left trying to conjure up some plan, by which
the suspicion in his mind eould be reduced to
certainty.
| He watched, the next day. tho strange gentle
man enter Mrs. Wayland's house eliciting moth
! ing new, but that he remained half an hour
longer than heretofore
Soon after his departure he saw Loi. come out
nttired FOR IA walk. As he watched her disappear
around IA corner, bright idea struck him He
| would run over-ostensibly for friendly call ::
once inside, perhaps he should be able to discov-
or something that would solve the mystery.
This he accordingly did.
On tho servant informing him that his mis-
tress was out, Mr.. Catkin expressed his intention
OF awaiting her return
As he was known to be relative of the fami-
ly, Thomas showed him into the parlor and then
returned TO his Cutie. below
The coast being now clear, Mr. Catkin softly
! assembled the stairs to Mrs. Wayland'. room,
whose location he knew
His investigating spirit led him to look into a
| closet, the door OF which stood ajar, when he
heard Mrs Wayland's footsteps ascending the
stairs.
Anxious to avoid discovery, he rushed into the
| closet, pulling the door after him 1t had :.
spring lock, and to Mr.. Catkin'. horror and dis
may, ne found himself close prisoner.
1T was warm spring day, and as tho moments
rolled away the air became almost sitting, until
he was bathed in psrspiration of mingled heat
and fright. Several times he was on the point
OF calling ont; but what excuse could be given
Tor his presence,
His only hore was based on the superstition
that Mr.. Way land might leave tho room and
one OF the servant, enter whom ho could bride
TO aid AID secrecy. Orperhaps Lois would come
TO The closet for something, and failing 70 dscov-
or him in the dusk, leave the door aiar
But Lois seemed disinclined to do either 1t
Ii question as to whether sh" would have been
10 obligins, had she known how dcvoutly it was
wished; az it was, She remained quietly seated
IN her little sewing chair, quite oblivious to the
suiterin.s, both bodily and mental of poor Peter
Catkin and who glarod ut her through the key.
hole, with feelings and u counteuance anything
but amiable and serene.
Nr Wayland was as good as hi. word and
his young wife s.rang to greet him with even
more than her usual JOY and fondness
As for Mark, his coNntenance wore the usual
calm look, bnt there was more of fathers than
a husbands tenderness in his manner, as he
pressed his lips to her forehead
Lois gave her husband a look Of tender re-
proach.
ITO think you should forget this dav, OF all
days, Mark which | shall always remember;
because it made Inc the happie.t of all happy
wives
Mr.. Wayland started True; it was-what
he, in his prc-occupation of mind, had forgotten
tho second anniversary Of his marriage
Can you sa! that from your whole heart
Lois:' he said, with solemn earnestness II
charge you deceive me not. Could we both re-
turn to that day and hour, would your choice be
the same ::
Lois raised her eyes TO her husbands :ace. full
Of the love with which her heart was overflow
ing.
1T would be the same. Oh my husband,
what have said or done that you should ask me
that Z"
1t was always s comfort to Mark Wayland to
remember that he believed her then and there.
Il have been planning a little surprise for YOU"
resumed Lois
Then going to the other end of the room she
drew Il curtain from the wall, and the counter
felt OF her own sweet face smiled down upon her
astonished husband.
''ls it for me y
"Who else should it be for; heard you say
You should prize it above all things. The paint
is not dry yet, 50 you must not touch it, Signor
Cardinio only finished it to-day l was sadly
afraid that it would not be done in time"
MY precious wife" exclaimed Mark, in
voice tremulous with emotion, how much in
justice | have done you--nor vet alone"
"Thomas,' he said to the servant who answer.
ed his summons, "give my compliments to Mr.
and Mrs. Catkin, and ask them to step over here"
Mr.. Wayland did not remove the head that
had nestled down upon his shoulder when Mrs.
Catkin entered.
She looked not little perplcxcd and excited.
Il don't see where in the world Peter is she
SAID, slancing round tho room. Il thought,
perhaps, he might be over here. He went out
several hours ago, and haven't seen him since
never knew such thing to happen before"
I'm herr" said u half-stihed vol &C, from some
mysterious quarter.
"Morcy on us |" shrioked Mrs. Catkin; "that
was Peters voice il | ever heard it in my life
It's his spirit. Hes dead, and TIn left a poor,
lone widow"
"No, amt dead either, you old fool !" growl-
cd the un n,istakabe voice of Peter Catkin in the
flesh. Let me out"
Here Mr.. Waylsnd, who was tho first to pcne-