The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1876-04-29
THE DouBLE DEATH.

doubt, the highest in America The water
makes three distinct leaps from the summit
Of the ledge, before reaching the bed Of the
Uream below. Not far from the head Of
these falls, and nearly concealed from the
view of any passer-by. ON account OF the
thick trees which grew around it, stood a
cabin Of logs. at the time Of which we write.
ten years since.
II was early one cold winters morning
that the master Of this cabin. in COMPANY
with his dog, were returning from q hunt.
They had been absent during the entire
night, and now. just as daylight was dawn
ing, they were approaching a home where
they felt sure of a hearty welcome. The
man, as he broke through the thicket in
view Of his cabin. paused, and gazed atten-
lively upon it for a moment. Then he threw
the buck which be carried upon his
shoulder, upon the snow, and shaking his
head, he muttered. " Idon't Know that any
thing is wrong here, but don't feel just
right"
At the same moment, the dog ran towards
the dwelling. and then. returning TO his
master. uttered a low growl. The man ap-
peared very uneasy, but he hastened for
ward towards the eabin-door. Before he
had reached it. Il woman appeared 1t was
plain TO see that she had been weeping. and
she was very pale. and greatly agitated.
MY God. Nancy what has happened p
he inquired, almost b~reathlessly.
BE calm, Mark-pray be calm T. was
tho trembling response.
sD.t4.II -. ~.l.t boa hn.x.,o1 ~
The question WIS scarcely asked before
= second face appeared at the cabin-door.
The instant Mark saw this. he staggered
back and gasped. 1.-THE dead returned to
lifel'
"Ah, Mark Webb, the dead has returned
to life. But come in ] wish to talk with
you"
Webb, finding that he had merely flesh
and blood to deal with. entered the cabin.
and throwing himself upon a seat, eyed the
intruder for some moments without speak
ing. Then he asked. Philip Dark, how
did you find me out, and what do you want
here 2"
81 have been searching for you, Mark
Webb, for five years. You thought me dead.
But you see that you were mistaken. And
do you ask why l sought you Z"
YES. i did ask it,"
alt was to learn if the woman who calls
you husband s~ustains You in your yillanies
and II she did not. or was ignorant of them.
10 let her know the truth. =
BE careful what you say, Philip Dark"
exclaimed Marx. half raising his rifle.
The other observed this. and said. Marx.
] should be sorry to do You harm but |
know you. In your presence l shall relate
all to Nancy-I will not call her your wife.
FOR she is equally mine-and she shall decide
between ns.'
1.-THE decision has been made already by
her"
Yes. but your acis have rendered that
decision void they have rendered a second
decision necessary. Now, Mark. heed well
what l say. As at first. so will l abide by
Naney's decision now. But l must tell her
all, and if / see you attempt to place your
hand upon that rife, in self-defonce, I'll
send a bullet through your head the instant
you do So"
60 on with your questions and your
les
Nancy" said Dick, fixing his eyes upon
her, what reason did Mark give for bring
ing you to this part Of the country 2"
"oh. Philip. You know that when | made
my decision Ave years ago. told you that
you possessed my love. but that Mark had
the claim of duty from me-"
81 remember well. and | resigned yo,,
50 that your duty might be performed"
"You did
"Well, answer my question
Marx told me that he wished to be tar
away from you. because you possessed my
love. And so I came here with him"
you thought me still alive. and in St.
Lonis 2"
II did"
You never believed that Mark would
harm me p
al certainly could not think So
Then listen while l repeat all the past.
Some portions YOU are familiar with. and
some you are not. But you shall have it
AL"
al listen"
six years ago !. formed your aequain-
lance. Nancy. l believed you to be a widow,
and as such, loved. won. and married you.
| had u right to believe TINT you were a
widow. for the proof Of your first husbands
death appeared positive. But in a few
months after our marriage, Mark Webb.
your first husband, returned. There must
now be a decision made. You believed your
daty bound you to Mark for the absence
did not arise from his own fault. But you
confessed that held your love. 1 thought
as you did, that Your first marriage was the
binding one, und at once / consented to
fosego al claims upon you. More than
this, | resolved TO leave the country, in
order that my presence might not cause
you mhappincss. Could I do more than
thiss"
!" You acted generously"
But how did Mark act I will tell you.
He hated me because you loved me. and one
night We met in = lonely place, and, as he
thought, drove u dagger to my heart"
"Oh, heaven T.
believing that ho had murdered me. he
left the country for fear Of detection. That
is the reason he brought You here"
"oh. this is terrible"
"For q long time after receiving tn