The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1879-06-26
VOLUME w.

80, miss !" said the poor creature, look
ing up imploringly, "don't put me off til
tomorrow; l may 90 wild before tina
time. You needn't be afraid Of me-
never harmed AMY thing that l re
member. I'm only poor, weak woman
and must speak to you this very night
Please listen to me-
Violet considered moment.
"Well, 90 up there on the porch; l will
let you in at the other window"
In a short time the strange woman
stood before Violet in the cOZy little par
lor. Her visitor was no tramp, that Vic
let saw at glance. She was slight il
| figure, with comely face, and darl
brown hair; she had on a black bonne
with the veil thrown back, Il black ant
white plaid shawl, and Il neat black ala
paca dress She stood some moment
with her eyes bent upon the carpet; a
length Violet spoke:
| 'If you are cold, 90 to the fire"
"No, thank you, l am not cold; l wa
thinking how l should commence" re
| piled the woman, as she brushed he
gloved hand across her eyes.
There was another pause. Violet saw
there was a struggle going on within th'
poor thing standing before her. Her hear
was touched. She gently pushed chai
! up to her visitor.
"Sit down. she whispered softly, ''yol
| will feel better So
The poor girl-shc was nothing moro
sank down, and suddenly burst into ;
torrent of tears, and rocked her body
wildly to and fro.
90, miss she cried, ''you are SO kind
and ..and--I can't tell you. | can't; il
will cut you to the heart She :jumpeC
up wildly, but Vio,et put her back in he1
seat again.
Take your time said Violet, gently
takinga seat upon the sofa opposite.
go, Miss Medring,' cried the strange
girl, impetuously tlinging herself at Vic
let's feet, 'Im stranger here, but
found out your name down at the town
below. There's man been coming tc
see you lately-John Archer is his name
and know he's IN love with you, at any
rate he likes your face or your money
perhaps one, or perhaps both. Forgive
me for giving you a blow if you have
lCdlICN " loNC lllIll, pui llluSl out WILL
it. Please don't move yet, miss, but
kut-O, Miss Mcdring, III the sight of
God above us, l 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 of
the hands that clung SO tightly to her
dress, as if the very touch Of the creature
was contamination.
Il do not believe word Of it," said
Violet, the mad blood covering brow,
cheek and ncck-"you lic--most vilcly.'
Lie, miss" half whispered the poor
Outcast, as she arose from the floor; ''lie
90 ask my poor father. dying or 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 child!"
She threw open her shawl, and held up
little babe.
Violet uttered one low cry, and then
sank down into the seat the Outcast had
occupied, and covered her tace 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 heavy fall and a baby's wall
aroused her to her senses. She jumped
up and looked around. The outcast lay
hor Io,ly hoc.I, fl,o lr1
she had entered, and the baby screamed
and struggled in the mothers arms.
Violet with cry of alarm, hastily
picked up the child; it was unharmed
She closed the windox 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 wandcrer, she told her
aunt about her visitor and her story. Af-
ter some little excrtion 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 a 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. Campbcll!" she suddenly ex-
claimed, supporting herself on her hands,
and staring into Aunt Roses eyes
"Lucy King! can it be possible?" said
Aunt Rose a sinking into the chair.
There was long pause during which
nothing could be heard but the low sob
bing of the poor woman.
"Lucy, we owe you much for the infor-
nation you hayc brought my niece to-
night" said Aunt Rose, after a while.
"Ycu are the wife, then, of this man?
Why was it that he deserted you?'
''NO, no; did not say his wifew ex-
claimed the girl, quickly.
'Violet" said Aunt Rose, questioning
ly, turning to her niece.
Il told Miss Medring | was his wife in
the sight of God. o, l hate to tell what
| really am. l was young, ignorant
girl, Mrs. Campbell, and he was a man
Oh Tue WORTH, Will d SluOOtll lOi1Suc dllN
fair promises. AS God is my Judge did
not dream of wrongdoing. He lied to
me; he deceived me most cruely, and l
must bear all the shame o, Mrs. Camp
bell, if it were only me alone who had to
suffer l would not care, but father-the
hale, strong man you knew-is fading
away by inches; life is a desert to my
mother, and brother Will left me with a
curse. I 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 no
use. l saw him last just before my child
was born. That time he"
"He did not strike you?" asked Violet,
her eyes ablaze.
"Yes, he struck me-" came back al
most in whisper.
ssThe brute!'
After things were settled again. con-
tinued Lucy, after a pause. II deter
mined to seek him once more and see if
he would not do something for his child S
sake. l tracked him ferc. They told
me he was attentive to Miss Medring.