The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-03-05

\
ueIs' peculiar to California lite, occurred, last
week, IN our city. The wife of one of Wing
uaims eminent pioneers, tired of the eflete
cVlilzatlon OF the East, and its inhospitable
climate, resolved to join her noble husband,
upon these golden Shores Without inform
ing him of her intention, she undertook the
long journey, and arrived last week. The
| JOY Of the husband may be easier imagined
| than described. The meeting is said to have
been indescribably affecting. We trust her
example may be followed"
Whether owing to Mrs. Browns influence,
| or to some more successful speculations. Mr..
Browns financial fortune from that day,
steadily improved. He bought out his part
| ners in the Nip and Tuck" lead, with money
| said TO have been won at poker, week OF
| two alter his wife's arrival, but which ruinor,
adopting Mrs. Browns theory that Brown
had ioreswom the gaming table, alleged to
| have been furnished by MIR. Jack Hamlin.
He built and furnished the "Wingdam
| House." which pretty Mrs Browns great
popularity kept overlooking with guests. He
was elected to the Assembly, and gave largely
to churches. street in Wingdam was
named in his honor.
Yet, it was noted that in proportion as he
waXed wealthy and fortunate. he grew pale,
tnln and anxious. As his wife's popularity
increased, he became fretlul and impatient.
surdly jealous. Ii he did not interfere with
MS Wlies social liberty, it was because it was
naliciously whisper ed-that his first and on
| ~ attmept was met by an Outburst from Mrs.
Brown that terrified him into silence. Much
OF this kind of gossip came from these of her
own sex whom she had supplanted in the
chivalrous attentions of Wlngdam-whicb,
| like most sopular chivalry, was devoted to an
admiration OF power, whether of masculine
fPmInInn c1, l.
membered, too, i'll her excavation. that since
her arrival she had been the unconscious
priestess OF NEUROLOGICAL worship, perhaps
not lnore ennobling to her womanhood than
that which distinguished an older Greek
| democracy. think that Brown was dimly
| conscious of this. But his only confdant
was Jack Hamlin, whose inlelix reputation
naturally precluded any open intimacy with
| the family, and whose visits were infrequent.
1t was midsummer, and a moonlight night;
and Mis-. Brown, very rosy, large-eyed, and
pretty, sat upon the piazza, enjoying the fresh
| incense OF the mountain breeze, and, it is 10
be feared, another incense, which was not SO
fresh, nor quite as innocent. Beside her sat
Colonel Starbottle and Judge Boompointer,
and later addition to her court, in the shape
OF foreign tourist. She was in good spirits.
what do you see down the road?' inquir-
ed the gallant Colonel, who had been con-
Browns attention was diverted
Dust" SAID Mrs. Brown, with a sigh. "Only
Sister Anne's flock of Sheep"
The Colonel, whose literally recoIlections
did not extend further back than last weeks
paper, took more practical view. 1T amt
Shee,' he continued; sits horseman. Judge
amt that Jack Hamn's gray?"
But the Judge didn't know; and, as Mrs.
Brown suggested, the air was growing too
coid ior further investigations, they letired to
the parlor.
MIR. Brown was in the stable, where he gen.
orally retired after dinner. Perhaps il was 10
show his contempt Tor his wiie's companions;
perhaps, like other weak natures, he found
pleasure in the exercise OF absolute power ov-
| er inferior animals. He had certain gratifi-
cation in the training of chestnut mare,
whom he could beat or caress as pleased him,
which he couldn't do with Mrs. Brown. 1t
was here thPt he recognized certain gray
horse which had just come in, and looking
little farther on found his rider. Browns
greeting was cordial and hearty; Mr. Ham
ms somewhat restrained. But at Mr.,
crowns urgent request he followed him up
the btck-stairS 10 narrow corridor, and
thence to small room looking out upon the
stable yard. 1t was plainly furnished with a
bed. liable, a few chairs, and rack for guns
and whips.
AhiS SOl uOule. JGCk, Sdlu n,
with sigh, as he threw himself upon the bed
and motionel his companion to chair "Her
rooms tother end OF the hall It's MORN six
months since we've lived together or met, ex-
cept at meals. It's mighty rough papers on
the head OF the hOuse-aint it 2" he said with
forced laugh. 'But I'm glad to see We,
Jack" and he reached from the bed, and again
shook the unresponsive hand of Jack Ham
lin.
II brought ye up here, for didn't want to
talk in the stable: though, for the matter of
that, it's all round town. Don't strike light.
we can talk here in the moonshine. Put up
your feet upon that winder, and sit here be.
side me. That's whisky in that Jug"
Mr.. Hamin did not avail himself. of the in
formation. Brown, of Calaveras, turned the
face to the wall, and continued:
If didn't love the womnn, Jack, I would
not mind. Butts loving her, and seeing her,
day arter day, goiD' Gu at this rate, and no
one to put down the brake; that's what grits
me! but I'm glad to see ye, jack.
In the darkness he cropped about until he
had found and wrung his companions hand
again. He would have retained it, but Jack
Sill ped it into the buttoned breast OF his coat,
and asked listlessly, "How long has this been
| gong on?"
Ever since she came here; ever since the
day she walked into the Magnolia. was a
TOOL then; Jack, I'm a TOOL now; but didn't
know how much l loved her till then. And
she hasn't been the same woman since.
But that amt all, Jack; and it's what 1
wanted to see you about, and I'm glad you've
come. IL amt that she doesn't love me and
more; it amt that she fools with every chap
that come along, for, perhaps, staked her
love and lost it, as did everything else at the
Magnolia; ana, perhaps, foolin' is material to
some women, and thar amt no great harm
done, cept to the fools. But, Jack, 1 think
think she loves somebody else. Don't move,
Jack, don't move; if your pistols hurts ye,
take it of.
"lts been morn six months now that she's
seemed unhappy and lonesome, and kinder
nervous aud scared like. And, sometimes,
I've ketched her lookin' at me sort of timid
and plying. And she writes to somebody
And, for the last week She's been gathering
her own things-trinkets, and furbelows, and
Jew'lry-and, and, Jack, think she's goin'
OIL. could stand all but that. To steal away
| like thief"
He put his face downward to the pillow,
and for a few moments there was no sound
but the ticking of clock on the mantel. Mr..
Hamlin Lit cigar, and moved to the open
window. The moon no longer shone in the
room, and the bed and its occupant were in
shadow. "What shall 1 do, Jack" said the
voice from the darkness.
The answer came promptly and clearly
from the window-side: "Spot the man, and
kill him on sight"
But, Jack?"
Giles took the riskw
but will that bring her back?"
Jack did not reply, but moved from the
window towards the door.
Don't go yet, Jack; light the candle, and
sit by the table. It's Comfort to see We, il
nOthin' else"
Jack hesitated, and then complied. He
drew pack OF cards from his pocket and
Shuiled them, slancing at the bed. But
Browns face was turned 10 the wall. When
Mr.. Hamlin had shuttled the cards, he cut
them, and dealt one card on the opposite side
OF the table, Tor himself. The first was a
oeIce; his own card, king. He then shut
lied and cut again. This time dummy" had
a queen, and himself tour-spot Jack
frightened up ior the third DEAL Ii brought
lis adversary a deuce, and himself king
again. Two out Of three" said Jack, audi
bly,.
What's that, Jack?" said Brown.
"Nothine.'
Then Jack tried his hand with dice, but he
always threw skies, and his imaginary oppon-
ent aces. The force of habit IS sometimes
confusing.
Meanwhile, some magnetic influence in Mr.
or both, brought surcease OF sorrow, and
Brown slept. Mr.. Hamlin moved his char
TO the window, and looked out on the town of
Wlngdam, now sleeping peacefully-its harsh
outlines softened and subdued, its glaring co..