The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1874-09-17

utter you went away. That one letter
you sent her was the only spot of sunshine
in her life. She died with it in her hard.
worked on for years and gained q
reputation. Then" --he broke down and
his dark eyes flied. 81 had so many
bright hopes, l was so poutl of my honor.
thought it would kill me when they
arrested me. knew it was Jacob who
forged the note; I told them I was
innocent, but was only poor boy and
they all left me to my donm."
ooh. Ben, you were not going to marry
AggieP"
81 told you so. wrote you that night
and babe Goody give it to you"
81 have just received that message.
have won fame and wealth. Icame back
to visit the old place once again and the
vine gave up it's treasure. Dear
grandma, she must have dropped il
and"
"Would you have gone, had you receiv-
ed it ten years agos"
II must CO. was her only reply; and
she went taking all the sunshine with
her. Gold did more. It paid men to
ferret the mystery of the forged note:
Zen Arthurs alone and friendless and Ben
Aithuls with wealthy ally, were two
very different persons. Nellie told Mr.
Kirby Ben's story. He listened to it with
contented smile. They stood ia his
magnificent drawing room and she was
By his side.
| II can free him!" he said, when she has
done; land [ will, ON one condition. Free
him and sive blm fair name and place
him where he can win proud position"
Her eyes flashed. Atlength she could
make amends for leaving poor Ben. "On
what condition, Mr.. Kirby?'
His greedy eyes marked every motion
with selfish delight. That you be-
come my wife. [ have always
loved you and yeu alone. I will be
good husband to you Ben shall be free.s
"He would rather remain where he 10
than see ME your wife,
T'Very well. If you are willing to let
him wear his young manhood out in prison
and grow inbecile, why"
"Lat me think. Yes, take me, but free
him, now, soon.''
He slippad diamond circlet upon the
little foger, which seemed to burn into
her hand and could not be seen through
binding tears. What need to trace the
ways and means by which Ben attained
MS freedom, or tell how Jacob wa
stlsmatized and escaped to the Wess
Indies? Or the splendor of the weddings
Bow that splendor Knocked Nellie's
throbbing heart! She heard not the clersvmsn,s
solemn words, only the murmur of the Fan wilma
as II rustied through the leaves. And Ben-he did
not go, instead he visited the ould house and Law
on the leaves and moaned, as Goody had done
before him; and the leaves whispered softly to
him and the old oaks moaned outside. He went
from the house man in years and bearing an
experience,
He accepted the situation offered him and work
ed:with will. He did not know that Nellie had
sacrificed herself for him, Years rolled on as the
log had done on that evening so many years age
Ben won laurels as statesman. His honesty.
nobleness, and more than all, the helping hand of
Mr. Kirby, sustained and led up the ladder swiftly
Mr.. Kirby meant to be good man, and was very
kind to Nellie, for he loved her as dearly perhaps
as Ben.
Black clouds gathered over the horizon of peace
In foreign countries, Nele's husband was a
Frenchman, on his mothers side, and his grand
parents yet dwelt in Paris. He wac away for weeks
going about with preoccupied air. Nellie
watched him anxiously. She knew what was
going on in his mind, bat not one word would she
speak to turn the tide of his de cison At length 1t
was made
"Nellie." he said gravely, one evening, 81 am
goieg to Erance.'
She did not reply, did not offer 0nc objeSs,Qz.
and he kissed her passiolately and LETT her. Hef
lie was troubled dream for the next few months,
Then black.edged letter told her she was free
She retired from society and went to the sweet
quiet Of her country home. Two years later she
Visited Newport. Ben was there; perhaps she
knew he would be- She certainly showed no
surprise when they met on the beach day or two
after her arrival, though he crimsoned and stoo0
rresolute.
'Ben," she said, placing both her hands upon
lis arm, "why are You so cold to mef''
.'Why;" he repeated bitterly. "Why? wla
obbed my life Gifts freshness and beautys WhA-
aused my heart to burn with anguish, for her
'leasures Who stilliplsys with 1t carelessly for