Stevens County tribune. (Morris, Minn.) 1877-1880, 1880-03-11

brother tells me that the CLAIM you are
prosecuting viii end in nothing, and
that you are not worth dollar to-day,
and it is not likely you ever will be-"
@And if that is so, it would seem that
you are leaving me with the expectation
of returning no more"
That must depend, Mr.. Bondurant,"
said the wife, steeling herself to cold
and firm look, :" on the possible contin-
gency of your being able, at some future
time, to provide for me in comfortable
way, which, am sorry to say, does not
now appear very probable"
Then good-by foreverp said the
husband, rising and Withdrawing from
the room, without taking any further
notice of his wife; nor did he even look
back.
The marriage, as q legal relation, re-
manned undisturbed. Thehusband and
wife, when meeting occasionally on the
street or elsewhere, bestowed upon
each other bow of civil recognition,
but without exchanging word.
In this way eight years had passed.
az GAO 0hO Va AFO yours UhLS' DVh-
durant's family, including that devoted
brother, had been both unable and UNI
willing to do anything more for her,
and for the last three years she had
been supporting herself by performing
the duties of secretary for an insurance
company. Why that situation had been
given to her just at time when she
had no other means of support, and at a
salary much larger than she had ex-
pected to receive, was mystery about
which she had her own private suspi-
cions.
Il was cold morning in mid-winter,
and the sidewalks were covered with
ice. Mrs. Bondurant, on her way to
her Office, had just passed the manly
form of one whom she had never ceased
to admire-yes, love, for his image had
always remained in her heart. Every
photograph, piece of iewelry, or other
memento that he had left with her had
been looked at and handled again and
again, and some of these articles she
had often bathed with her tears.
On passing him this time she had
received the usual look and bow, and
nothing more. The poor woman could
not, however, refrain from casting a
look back for an instant to catch a
glimpse of his receding form, and while
she was doing so the treacherous ice,
as if intending some mischief, per-
mitted her to fall suddenly and at full
length.
Are you hurt, my dear?" were the
first words she heard, and her quick,
spontaneous answer was:
"Not much, hope, darling hus.
band!" And as he lifted her into the
carriage he had hailed and took seal
by her side, with his arm around her
she added, "How glad I am that you
were there to assist me-"
"Yes, dear, that was slippery path,
he said softly.
(Which l hope / may never pass owe
again | " murmuTed the wife, earnestly
Il gained that suit" said the hus'
band, as the carriage was taking them
to his home, which could now be hers
also.
eyes, dear, I knew you gained it
and I was so glad! I have saved more
than half my salary the last three years
You know, and so do I, that most o.
that salary has come form you.''
The long embrace and fond kiss
which each received ana returned wa!
mutual assurance that through thei
long separation their hearts had becom,
united more firmly than ever.
"It was all my-an my fault" wa
what the repentant and now happy wifi
wanted and endeavored to say, but sht
was stopped every time.
mo, no, my dearl' her husband would
answer. "These self-reproaches, cominl
from you, are painful to me. The pas
has done it's work in it's own way, ant
now let us remember the lessons it ha
taught us, and forget the sorrow
through which those lessons have beer
| learnedi"