The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1878-03-07
on a life of sorrow and degradation.

~ WfSS q Cl6slNCStAuC AdlIldSC. COLI
tracted three years before, between
Abel Fennimore and Margaret
Whalse. She was attending school
in one Of our Southern cities, where
she first met him, and he seemed to
exert an influence over her that she
could not resist.
He was of Spanish descent, ex-
Memely handsome, refined in manners
and cultivated in speech; but withal
a gambler and william of the yilest
description. She knew nothing of
his true character till after her mar
riage. And hers was cruel awaken
ing.
He became involved in difficulty
at gaming-house, and in fit Of
anger stabbed his adversary to the
heart; Immediately after which he
secretely left the CITY,.
She read in the morning paper a
full account of the transaction,
together with the history of his past
life. She had made her ''idols and
found them Of clay and in the bitter
anguish and terrible fear of discovery
she almost prayed that she might
never again behold his face.
Nearly three years had passed away.
and she had been wooed and won by a
man whom she loved devOtedly, and
whom her father had selected for her
future husband.
She could not rid her mind of the
fear which forever haunted her of
some day encountering the man who
called her wife; but notwithstanding
she plighted her vows to Gilmore
Mayfield, and devoutly prayed that
they might never be sundered.
Scarcely month after she received
intelligence from her husband. And
that nights meeting was the final
result.
In wild and desOlate pass, near the
Sierra Nevada Mountains, stood a
small cabin built of rough hewn
boards, set in a perpendicular position
and covered with clapboard shingles.
Two small windows, containing four
panes of glass, and each on separate
sides of the wall. admitted the light;
while an oaken door hung on wooden
hinges, was the only mode of egress.
1t contained but one little room. and a
bed. number of split-bOttomed
chairs, rude table, and large red
chest.
Outside, nature seemed to have
surpassed herself in the desolate and
solitary grandeur which was visable
at every step. Directly back of the
cabin rose the whitetopped mountains,
while stretching along their feet for
I.cfa hpt
wellbeaten path, which gradually
wound it's course mp amid their jagged
rocks; and then was lost to view by
an abrupt turn round an overhanging
cliff. Farther up, perhaps two hun
dred feet, was, an abyss, followed out
by the conyuIsions of nature.
The shades of evening had fallen,
and the night promised to be one Of
| tropical beauty. The moon. inst
rising fromthe mountains, lighted up
the scene around with loveliness
both weird and picturesque. The
night wind moaned sadly through the
ravines and passes, whistiing solemn
music between the clefted rocks,
breaking into loud walls as it fioated
along the valley.
1t crept through the cracks into the
cabin, where woman was bending
over the fire, preparing supper. She
lifted her head and inhaled it CRATE
fully for some minutes, and then she
proceeded with her occupation. This
woman still bore traces of remarkable
beauty, though every lineament of a
careworn face spoke volumes Of
Intense suffering.
Her eyes sp~rkled with an undim-
med lustre, Notwithstanding they
gave evidence. ola heart long since
dead 10 emotions of love or sorrow.
Her dark hair, slightly tinged with
gray. hung in disheveled and unkempt
masses round her shoulders; and her
every surrounding bore marks of
privation and poverty She drew the
table to the middle of the door. and,
after spreading 1t with some dishes
taken from the chest. sat down and
waited.
Presently man came down the
mountain path with hasty steps. In
another moment he entered the cabin.
The woman arose. and going 10 the
chest, took from thence some bread.
and laid IL on the table without a
word; then she again resumed her
seat BIZ the fire. and mooslilv watched
the red-hot Goals go out one bY one
ard eruinhle into ashes.
Meanwhile the man drew q chair
near the table and sat down in sulien
silence. In the course of a few
minutes his repast was ended. and
rising to his feet. with furtive glance
in The direction Of the woman. he
Saist.-
There is work to-night--woTk that
viii pay--the mail agent rasses along
the cliff at near midnight. lie car
Ties all the money belonging 10 the
department The mail agent is
named Gilmore MayfeId. owe him
an old grudge. Money isnot the only
incentive tonight.
A bolt OF ice seemed to have passed
through the woman sitting by the
ire. She raised herself. but sat
notlonless without speaking.
Il may not return till morning
And with these words the man left
the cabin.
She remained perfectly still after
he was gone, with her hands clasped
tightly tnrethrr PprnaTS ,t WAS