The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1878-01-19

bracelets that SO recently ''uoih'' hNi o'''"''
ful form for she had left, in utter contempt,
every present he had given her, taking only
, the plain gold pin, present from her mother
He had passed through the bloody field OF bat
|tlc had stood in anxious waiting beside his
wife's palid form in the malarious climate OF
| India; had witnessed the gradual wasting
away Of his wealth; but all was naught TO
what he now endured. For what was fame,
wealth or honor in comparison with the loss
of one whom he held sacred within his heart
The crisis he had so long feared was now upon
him. and like Il stunning blow it fell in three
fold terror. His fortune stood tottering to us
foundation, only awaiting another crash TO
sweep it into hopeless ruin. His wife fled, he
knew not whittier
in the name of heaven, why were those
papers left, like the latent poison OF some raDid
animal, to burst forth in teniold venom, to
rack its victim beyond human cndurancc|
What do YOU mean, and what papers do
YOU refer to. Capt Brooks ?" asked Ieldham
in his usually quiet tones, as, few days later
Capt. Brooks entered his office, for several
days had elapsed since the dreadful night of
death, and Capt, Brooks having satisfied him
self that his wife did not commit suicide,
sought Frank Ycdham for advice in tracing
her out
please read that letter. hc replied, at the
same time handing him his wife's letter, land
you will know all" After running it hastily
bn cd In, mil plp wi
doubt, for he could hardly think it possible
that the mystery he SO long ago determined to
Isolve, had thus so unexpectedly come to light,
and, what was more astonishing that the gen
Itleman now before HIM was capable Of prac-
Iticing such deceit His first impulse was to
tell his client what he thought of him, for he
could but think of Edward Alston's miserable
condition the morning he had started west.
But now that all was over and Edward again
happy, Il second look at the distressed countc-
nance before him so aroused fss sympathy
that he resolved to do all in his power to aid
him.
"Wcll, must say, Captain, these love scrapes
and wedding affairs end very seriously some
times You did wrong in the first place, and
wrong again IN not coniessing all to your
wife for she ought to have known all"
"Yes, Frank, | saw my error too late, but
the undying affection had for her prompted
me- and if | can only see her once more, clasp
her to my BOSOM and implorc her forgiveness
| shall die satisfied"
He seemed in such agony, Il at Ycldham re,
mOnstratcd, adding
"You are too weak and exhausted to talk on
the subject Your nerves can't stand it, Go
home and take quiet sleep, resting assured
that will do all IN my power to find Mrs.
Brooks"
As the suffering man slowly rctraced his
steps, Ycldham bcthought him of the best plan
to pursue. She might be easily found by de
tcctivcs, but how would the world look upon
high.brcd lady haunted down by the police
and to bring her name before the world in adj
vcrtisemens would wound her leelings-pcr-
haps drive her further away than ever. No,
that would not do. She must be regaincd by
persuasion and kind treatment if at ALL Plead
ing Il clients case at the bar was an easy un.
dcraking compared with this. If he only had
some clue as a basis To direct his search But
all was mystery. Vain was every response to
the many letters he sent in all directions that
he thought might lead to her place OF retreat
Day after day Capt. Brooks anXiously awaited
the return of each post, but all to no avail.
Winter sped rapidly away, giving place to the
genial sun of spring, that melted away the
more obdurate banks of ice. The great gar
dcns and extended walks of West Falls brought
forth again beautiful flowers, whose fragrance
was waited on every breeze But all lay ST
lent rs death within, while the great doors
stood ruSting on their hinges for want of use.
No one ever entered the spacious rooms except
the old servant who kept in order the furniture
Capt Brooks seldom visited the place, and
when he did it was to give some directions
concerning the estate. But the return offspring
brought no tdings of the lost one. o. if he
could only see her once more and hear the
word of forgiveness uttered 10y her own lips he
could die contcncd; and that providence
would grant that precious boon was the one
sole craving of his mind, as he lived on in his
terrible misery.
One day, near the close of the month of
August, more than two years after the scpara.
ton, while reading in ledham's Office New
Orleans paper, Capt Brooks was arrested by
DR.. WInston's name, rs rendering efficient ser
vice in the yellow fever epidemic which pre-
vailed to an alarming extent in that city.
IL have il now, Frank" he cried, and rs he
spoke his cmaciatcd face kindled with excite.
mcnt while travelling in Cuba CHANGED to
employ a DR. Winston to treat Clara during
her illness there, and he said he lived in New
Orleans. | also remember hearing HIM tell
Clara TO seek him when in trouble see his
name IN this paper rs connected with the vel
low fever district and il may be She Is with
him"