The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1880-09-03

buried himself since morning in the
depths Of some meta physical novel.
Doubtless, ~ Mrs. Vincent had suggest
ed, the weather had something to do
with it. He now threw aside his book,
stretched himself. and yawned somewhat
drearily. .-a-,
"Well, Min," he replied, "to tell you
the truth, l feel rather out Of sorts"
Then, ~ if u sudden thought had
struck him, he stood up and took up the
newspaper that lay on the floor beside
him. Turning to the advertisements of
amusements he read half aloud:
"Globe Theatre: Last night of THE
Wild Man of the Prairie, '-bosh |!
Variety Theatre: Jem Thompson's
Marvellous lmpersonations; Miss VIII
liams with her favorite song'-pshaw (!
Theatre Comique: Opera Bouffe. All,
that's better. La File dc Madame
Angot.' What do you say, Minnie :?
Let us have an evening at the theatre. t"
Minnie, who had new England girls
delight in the theatre, put on u demure
look, but didn't seem unfavorable.
"Well, Leonard, it certainly is some
time since we have been, and"
every well, them" broke in her hus-
band. Lets get supper over. I'll
just go and order hack.
In due time arrangements were COM
pleted, the hack arrived, and before very
long the pair were comfortably seated
directly in front of the stage, wishing for
the curtain to rise. In the meantime
Minnie became the unconscious focus of
many opera-glasses, as was usually the
case when she appeared i'll public.
Leonard Ind gradually been regaining
his even flow of spirits, and by the time
that the orchestra commenced with the
well-known delightful airs he was quite
ready to enjoy to its full the peculiar
pleasure of the entertainment. All went
splendidly. The prima donna was IL
noted "star," and entranced the house
with her singing. Minnie was totally
absorbed i'll the performance, when she
suddenly felt her husband start. At the
same time she noticed II disturbance on
the stage. What was the matter? Oh,
it was nothing, said the people next to
her; only one Of the chorus who had
tainted. Look, they were carrying her
off the stage. Minnie looked ut Leonard
and saw pale anxious look on his face
that she had never before seen there
Thinking nothing of the slight confusion
before her, she laid her hand on her nus
bands arm:
"What is the matter with you,
Leonarl?" she whispered. "DOn't you
feel well?"
Nothing, nothing, he replied hastily.
cit was only for the moment. And
yet would You mind if We left the
theatre? ?"
"Let lis 60 at once. Give me my
shawl"
They rose from their places and left
the theatre, the performance going on as
if nothing had happened to disturb it..
When they were outside Leonard SEEM
eel to alter his mind.
"Minnie," he said, his voice trembling
slightly, "Would you mind going home
alone? 1t was foolish to disturb your
enjoyment. l feel all right now; but it
is hardly worth while going back now,
and / think / will take the opportunity
Of going to see friend in town whom l
have often promised to call on"
At first she demonstrated, but at
length, as Leonard began to show signs
of Impotence, she pressed him no furth-
er, and left him to return home.
Hitherto the threatened snow storm
had held back, but now white specks be-
gan to dot the mir, falling steadily.
Leonard showed no intention of going
to visit his friend, but paced hurriedly
up and down in front of the theatre, re-
peatedly looking mt his watch. Old
memories were ut work within his mind,
and his knit brows and anxious look in
dictated the working of some strong emo
ton. At length III o'clock struck, aud
the people began to swarm out OF the
theatre. Hastily walking down q mar
row, gloomy street that led alongside of
the house, he stopped before the stage
door, rs if waiting forsome one. Short
ly the door opened, and, one after anoth-
or, mutiied forms appeared. He peered
into their faces as they passed, but SEEM
ed to recognize none, till, at length, a
tall female figure came down the steps,
and, after hesitating moment, walked
down the dark street. Leonard could
not see the face, but the walk of the
figure he could not mistake. With
light, quick steps on the new-fallen
snow, he followed her, and, when they
came to a spot lightly illumined by a
street-lamp, he stepped up quite close to
her and touched her. She turned round
hurriedly, gazed eagerly in his face, and
then threw her arms around his neck
and sobbed convulsively.
81 saw you,-I knew you at once! II
was wrong,-it was unkind of you! But
now have found you again, l can for
give everything"
Her incoherent sentences were spoken
as quickly as her sobs wouldpermit, and
till she had ceased Leonard could not
speak word. Then he gently removed
her arms from his neck, and as she
gazed eagerly ut him she saw his face
was CHASTITY pale. He spoke slowly and
rs il with difficulty.
"Laura, You must not think of me.
We must not see each other again. She
you saw with me was my wife"
He paused. The light of half re-
proach, half joy that had shone from her
eyes was was suddenly changed into q
wild glare of madness. She strove to
speak but could not. Leonard, terrified
Mt her look, went on in humbling tones.
"Listen to mo Laura. 1t is not my
fault. They told me you were-dead."
She caught both his hands lightly in her
own, and whispered rather than spoke.
at does not matter. 1t does not mat
ter. They were right was dead!
Then with powerful effort she seemed
to gain command over herself and spoke
calmly, but rcproachingly. "And you
would leave me ut once, without talk
ing over old times with me-? have so
much to tell you. Come; ut least you
will come to my house and sit one hour
with me and talk"
He could not resist her voice, but he
answered nothing. She turned quickly
round and led the way, he following her
with difficulty. The snow was now de-
scending heavily and the. storm wind be-
| gan to whistle throuh the narrow streets
and heap up the white drifts against the
houses. Leonard knew not the direction
in which they were going; the snow and
sleet in his face scarcely allowed him IL
keep in sight of the tall, dark figure that
seemed almost to fly before him. Now
and then she turned round to seq that he
still followed her, and each time beck
oned to him to 60 faster, They had
been walking thus for some time wher
Leonard raised his eyes to nee where
they were going. They had got out Of
the regular streets and he could only SCI
few houses around him. The storm
was raging fearfully and the snow wa
already so deep az to render walking
difficult. He stopped and called to her
"Laura! cannot 90 further; whered d
you ivep"
She did not turn round to him, onl,
beckoned with her hand, and cried
"Only little further"