Stevens County tribune. (Morris, Minn.) 1877-1880, 1879-06-26

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me for giving you blow if you have
learned to love him, but must out with
it. Please don't move yet, miss, but
sut-O, Miss Medring, in tho sight of
God above us, am John Archer's wife !"
Violet would have sprung to her feet
before, but the woman held her down
until she uttered her last words, then
Violet leaped to her feet and shook off
the hands that chung SO tightly to her
dress, as if the very touch of the creature
was contamination.
~ do not believe word of it." said
Violet, the mad blood covering brow,
cheek and ncck-s'you lie-most vilely."
"Lie, miss!" half whispered the poor
outcast, as she arose from the floor; Gle /!
go ask my poor father. dying on the bed
where my dishonor cast him, if he knows
your John Archer! Go ask my mother
all the joys of the world have passed
from her eyes forever, now-it she knows
John Archer! Go ask my young brother
you'll find him out in the mines, or
among the Indians, somewhere out West
if he knows John Archer! And then
look here, this is John Archer's childw
She threw open her shawl, and held up
Il little babe.
Violet uttered one low cry, and then
sank down into the seat the outcast had
occupied, and covered her face with her
hands. She did not weep, she did not
even think; she covered there like one
stunned; she could not tell how long,
until Il heavy fall and a baby's wall
aroused her to her senses. She jumped
up and looked around. The outcast lay
prone upon her back beside the window
she had entered, and the baby screamed
and struggled in the mothers arms.
Violet with a cry of alarm, hastily
picked up the child; it was unframed.
She closed the window, laid the baby up
on the sofa, and then ran upstairs for
Aunt Rose. Before Mrs. Campbell
appeared upon the scene, however, Violet
had placed the senseless form upon the
sofa, and taking the child in her arms,
and was trying to soothe it. TIE poor
baby was placed in Mrs. Campbell's arms,
and while Violet pulled off the bonnet
and shawl of the wanderer, she told her
aunt about her visitor and her story. AT
ter some little exertion upon the part of
both ladies, the outcast once more opened
her eyes. Violet then took up the child
from the chair where it had fallen asleep,
and Aunt Rose poured out glass of
wine and handed it to the sufferer. The
woman took few sips, and then, hand
ed back the goblet, raised her eyes to the
kind lady's face.
"Mrs. Campbell!" she suddenly ex-
claimed, supporting herself on her hands,
and staring into Aunt Roses eyes.
''Lucy King! can it be possible?" said
Aunt Rose sinking into the chair.
There was a long pause during which
nothing could be heard but the low sob
bling of the poor woman.
Lucy, we owe you much for the intor-
nation you have brought my niece to-
night" said Aunt Rose, after while.
"You are the wife, then, of this man?
Why was it that he deserted you?"
mo, no; l did not say his wife," ex-
claimed the girl, quickly.
"Violet" said Aunt Rose, questioning
ly, turning to her niece.
81 told Miss Medr1ng was his wife in
the sight of God. o, I hate to tell what
l really am. was a young, ignorant
girl, Mrs. Campbell, and he was man
of the world, with smooth tongue and
fair promises. AS God is my judge did
not dream of wrong-doing. He lied to
me; he deceived me most cruely, and I
must bear all the shame. o, Mrs. Camp
bell, if it were only me alone who had to
suffer would not care, but father-the
hale, strong man you knew-is fading
away by inches; life is desert to my
mother, and brother Will left me with a
curse. l tried to get Archer to do the
right thing after found in what ter
rible situation he had placed me; but
all my prayers, my threats, were of nc
use. / saw him last just before my child
was born. That time he"
HE did not strike youl" asked Violet
her eyes abiaze.
Eyes, he struck me-" came back al
most in whisper.
"The bruter'
After things were settled again." con.
tinued Lucy, after pause. II deter
{ mined to seek him once more and see il
he would not do something for his child {
sake. l tracked him here. They tolc
me he was attentive to Miss Medring.
came here tonight to waylay him as hi
came out. | missed him in some way
but seeing you, Miss violet, through the
window, you looked so young and limo
, cent, thought it pity to let one like
him play with your heart, and made
, bold to tap upon the pane"
''Violet," said Aunt Rose, ~ know
) this girl, and l know her good tathel
= and mother; honest, Christian people
and can vouch that she never learned tt
7 lie from them. / became acquainted
with them years ago at my STEP brothe
Henry's farm; they are his next-doo
neighbors."
: II do not doubt the truth of Lucy
| story, Aunt Rose; it bears the impress O
t unmistakable TRUTH" said Violet, com
posedly, as she arose and handed tn
: baby to its mother; ''this child's face
+, enough to convince me. 1t is the mag
]. of Its father. You say this man is no
aware of your presence herc?"
mo, he does not dream that / woul,
leave home"
"And you have told your story to n
q one here but us?"
: mo, did not let the slightest hin
: drop"
q "You did well. Tomorrow you mus
< return to your home, but he must nc
t guess that you have spoken to me; whe
l need you / will send for you. I wile
: take your fight into my hands. You sa
s you are his wife in the sight of God;
t say, if womans wit and woman's wit
can accomplish aught, you shall be job
Archer's wife in the sight of God and {
IS man." Then she added fiercely to hel
: self: "He deceived me, too, and mus
+ have revenge, sweet revenge"
But one thing can't understand
" Violet; why is it your aunt has take