The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1874-12-03

4
doing it this evening, but, some way,
couldn't concluded that Thankseiv-
ing would be the most appropriate time,
and"
'And thought you'd run home to
stiffen up your backbone little" in
corrupted Betty. CHATS where you
did right. Postponed proposals, Like
postponed pudding, don't usually amount
to much. I've been thinking a good
deal about Elsie Gorhan to-day, William
and 80 has Belle"
Don't Betty, I implore you-dont' 70
| and William Harcourt covered his face
with his hands. ri can endure any,
thing under heaven but the mention Of
that name. Why do you torture me
SO r. And then, Selling both her hands
continued almost fercely: ''You have
heard something, Betty. Tell nae this
instant what it is.
| just then the figure of a woman sp-
peared outside the kitchen-window, Z
pale face was pressed for brief second
against the window-pane, and then both
vanished noiselessly.
''Oh Betty dyou soc that 2" gasped
William.
eyes, ] saw it," eeid Betty, hurrying
to Che bs.ck door, and looking out; ''and
it was Elsie, too. What has brought
her back here2 She's gone, though,
whoever she was; there's no sign OF her
anywhere.
s'The face looked like the face of .
corpse. Betty. It couldn't be Elsie.
She never would come around here in
such wAy-never.
"Weu, whether twas or whether
'tvasn't, Mister William, one thing is
sFre about il. The vision was sent to
you IS a warning and you had better
look twice before you leap
ssOA, Betty! I came to you for COM
fort, and what have you given me? It
is tine-qMte tine-that I forgot the
girl who came SO near making ship
wreck Of my life, and I Will entirely for
get her by linking my fate to that Of a
pure, good woman. There lies my only
salvation.
"What Il Elsie Gorham has been lied
about-what then? What if you should
hold On Little longer, and be sensible,
and patient, before you commit sui
eide ?" and Betty laughed grim, hys-
terical laugh, that made her harder to
understand than ever.
William Earcourt passed up to his
room, and in q few moments after, Belle
appeared in the kitchen, her face Light
ed up with excitement, and 80 full of
her subject that she WAS hardly coher-
ent.
''Get your shawl, Betty, and come
with me. See lilly Hunt has brought
me note from Elsie Gorham and she
wants you and me to meet her at the
well. Oh, dear! I'm SO glad This is
what she says, Betty:
'' I have returned fully prepared to
dsprove all the ISLANDERS circulated
against me, and point to the author of
my trouble.
"Think of it, Betty the darling has
been away whole year"
And chatting softly together these too
great hearted women stepped lightly out
into the darkness.
Two minutes OF swift walking brought
them to the spot designated; and Belle
was sobbing in her friends arms.
William Harcourt and Elsie Cor
ham had been betrothed for several
| months.
Elsie was an orphan, living with her
sister and her husband. The sister died
and Elsie Immediately assumed the po-
sition of housekeeper in her brother-in-
laws establishment
Slanderous reports commenced to be
circulated. William, practicing law In
Boston, was daily informed of them.
Anonymous letters were sent him, and
one, more damaging than all, William
gave into Elsie's hands.
He requested her to leave her position
and bitter words followed. She stood
firm at her post, defending herself only
by the sacred statement that her sister
| had asked her to care for her husbands
! child's comfort until she herself was
married.
Nothing could move her. The letter
spoken of gave detailed account OF
some visit to Boston which Elsie was
| accused of making with this gentle
| man.
Elsie's eyes flashed and her lip cufled
as she read the miserable sentences.
| She would not deny them.
Tn o fo1U wall chosen and inst words