Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1877-02-28

he said, with a smile, as he began
to remove his gloves.
"Not to-day" she replied, with
downcast eyes.
81 came from the city last night"
he continued, "but the hour was so
late when I arrived here, that l
went directly from the station to
the hotel. Edith, do you know
that this is the anniversary of the
sad day when-when Clifford dis
appeared so mysteriouslyp
81 do," answered Edith, sudden
ly biting her lip.
1.-TWO years." said Balfour, mus
ingly, as he gazed into the fire.
1.-TWO long years away from his
wife and child. Oh, may thous-
and black curses torture the heart
less wretch to his grave"
"Stop, Dyke Balfour," cried the
woman in a commanding tone, and
her eyes blazed up resentfully. "Be
careful what you say; ! can't hear
that, even yet"
Forgive me, Edith" he pleaded
in q very penitent tone. 81 spoke
thoughtlessly. forgot that you
never could quite believe your hus.
band guilty of wilful desertion.-
But, Edith, do you remember wha,
you told me two weeks ago when
was herei He moved his chair
close to hers, and took one of hel
white hands in his. ~ pressed my
suit, and you gave me final an
swer. You said that If | would
produce positive proof of your
husbands Inconsistency, you'd not
hesitate longer to procure a divorce
and give me the hand / have so pa
tiently waited for. now have th'
proof in my pocket. You know
! Clifford Harcourt's handwritingW
81 would know it among thons
sand" said the lady, confidently
with a half.scared look.
Enough. l received a lette
from him yesterday"
"No, no." gaspcd E dith Harcourt
with a deathly palor ahout her lips
"Here it is, the first that he ha
written to me since he went away,
and Dyke Balfour placed the lette
in her hand.
She glanced at it, and then pres
sing both hands to her heart, breath
ed heavily for a while. As soon a
she calmed herself, she opened tn
letter and read as follows:
London. Eng, Oct. %, 18-.
any DEAR BALFoUR A fit {
retrospective mnsing having com
over me this evening, cannot re
sist an inclination to write you
brief letter. Ever since leavin
Pointville, two years ago, hav
been intending to drop a farewe
line to Edith, but / cannot brin
myself to do it even yet. Go
her, Dyke-you were always he
trusted friend-and tell her / al
living happily with another woman
l could not endure poverty. M
present love was an heiress; sh
has given me riches, and we are liz
ing in grand style. first met he
, in Boston, when / was there on hu
mess. We had not been acqnain
. ed more than q month when v
eloped and came to this conntr
You know this already, but ! wal
YOU repeat it to Edith now. TIE
, her I shall never return to Americ
CLIFFORD HARCouRT.
: The deserted wife perused th
heartless note TO the end. and th'
r sank back half-fainting in her cha
e care you satisfedi" asked B'
four. with look Of pity.
81 am" she replied in a very lc
l tone of voice. "Tbe bandwriti'
is his-I could swear to that. Dyl
o Balfour, / ask your forgiveness.
e fear have sometimes doubted yo
= work; now l know you have nev
: told me anything but the truth
He grasped her hand and kiss
II.
v "Thank you, thank you," he e
q claimed. "That sweet admission
II precious to me. But have y
4 nothing more to say, Edith r
a A momentary struggle, and 8
,e seemed To gain strength.
Eyes" she replied in cle'
,- .te.dv ~o;ce. Assist me 10 pi