The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1880-04-17
Written for the Free Trader.
LOCUST VALLEY;
OR,
MONEY Is POWER.
CHAPTER Nil.
by DR.. STEINWAY.


,,ent to ask for cooking utensils; she was gone
again Looking about carefully, found an
other rocky door little ajar, and CLEAN OF
light issuing therefrom, Approaching and
opening |, wide, discovered spacious cham
Der brilliantly lit up with wax candles and
two large lamps, while the stalactltes adorn-
ing the roof and walls were perfectly enchant
ing in their brilliancy, the water causing
this had long since passed away
NV fair hostess--for she was beautiful wo.
man. even amid all her disadvantagcs-sat IN
rude arm chair with her babe on her breast
regarding me quietly, and apparently enjoying
my bewllderment At length she SAID
"You must be tired, Doctor; come, take "a
seat and have some supper"
told her was tired, astonlsAed, contound-
cd, and hungry.
She suled Then sit up, Doctor, and eat
no your satisfaction"
/ drew up to the board where was fried fish,
done dclciously, brown, sweet bread salt and
magnificent gravy-of course no butter.
Mrs r." said |, you are an excellent
cook, or have you a waiting maid and cook
hid away some place?'
II have neither cook nor waiting maid.
might have had both, but would not involve
others in my wild expeditlon,-for | ran OIL
from parents aud friends and chung to Ran
dolph amid violent opposition.
"Yes and he has brought you to pretty
pass thought I. Then l said, IF Randolph
should indeed desert you, would you return to
your friends in the East, If it were POSSIBLE"
"Neverw cried She IL have braved their
opposition, gone counter to all their com
nands, disregarded their love and pleadinss,
and ] will die among the mountains rather
than go back and bear their taunts,'
"Mr Randolph was always kind to you"
"Yes, unusually kind We were married."
and she hesitatcd as looked at her kecnly,
II Mtnk we were married by prlcst-hc told
me it was Il mnister-and then we started for
The far west, We resided some time in st.
Louis. My husband lost heavily at cards
then VIC removed to Denver thence to Lead,
Vile IIo got among wild companions, and
now we are here. You will not ask me, Doc
,or, to tell you morc.'
mo" said |.
After supper | SAID to Mrs. Randolph, Mad
am, have a very selfish motive In insisting
that you shall take excellent care of yourself
for few days, and therefore insist that you
allow me to wait upon myself till you get
stronger You will tell me If you have any
salt for the bear meat and In few days |
think we shall have my friends with u.s. and
we will both be seen to-"
She arose, arranged a couch in The bunk in
the side of the cave, some two feet from the
ground, upon which she carefully laid her babe
at the back part, and then reclining upon the
couch with her face to me, she SAID.
snow Doctor fetch up your chair, and tell
me first what is your selfish motive and sec
ond, if YOU like, you may give me little his
tory of your wandcrngs in the west; if there
are any points you wish 10 leave out, you can
do so"
"Mrs. Randolph, such an obcdient patient
will soon be well and strong again will
comply with your request
sat by her couch for two hours, and first
told her Of my wound as follows: 81 was
taking shelter in the mouth of your cave from
terrible storm; this morning wild animal
Of the mountains attacked me- and although
wound in the breast when 1t sprang upon me.
am suffering from that wound at this time,
and in day or two | may have some fever
and need considerable attention. There is
the selfish part then here is Mrs Randolph
with her infant child, that must be taken care
of ana proyldcd for"
THANK you, Doctor will be very careful
Now, unless You wish to retire, | will have
you talk TO me"
After giving her a history of a part of my
life, came down to an account of my intern
perate habits, and assured her that was now
endeayoring 10 entirely overcome my bad
habits
"WIli yor tell me of your engagement to
Miss Laura Edwardson with the connecting
circumstances, if it IS not painful TO YOU"
did so, and produced the affidavit, which
had brought with me. She seemed much
shocked and SAID
"If my husband deceived you and Laura so
grossly, lac may have deceived me- Doctor,
promise me if am taken away that you will
take care of my boy, and assure HIM tina, his
mother WAS an honorable woman"
81 will replied. Atlength, noticing that
her cheeks were slightly flushed, said, plac-
ing my hand upon her slender wrist ana noting
her pulse, "Now ! shall have to insist that we
talk no more tonight; and if you will tell me
where TO find the salt for our bear meat, and
show me my bed, will leave you"
She gave me the needed directions.
zone thing more" SAID I; "is there any
&C. urrinndi...x al. l.