The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1881-09-22

was so disagreeably connected, who accom-
panied them during the whole drive. They
met many Of their friends, and Roses cheek
flushed as she noted their cool greetings
and thought of the rumors a6oat. A week
ago she would have thought nothing OF IT.
but, in the light of her husbands words.
this chance meeting with Mr.. A. looked
like o studied appointment.
e "Ralpa is right, she decided mentally,
land I will tell him so to- night"
The pretty tea table was awaiting Ralph
coming, aud so was the sweet little wife.
all smiles and happiness once more. she
intended to meet him with the old, fond
kiss, and confess that che had been wrong:
How pleased Ralph would be! Instead Of
Ralph, however, came brief note:
"Rose, shall not be home tonight.
saw you driving with that precious pair who
are this evening the talk of the whole town
And to think my wife's name is mixed mp
with it! feel too hurt and angry
to meet you just yet. "RALPH:
There was only one thing in which a
woman like Rose could do in such case.
She, tainted. When at last she recovered
consciousness she saw plainly IN the face
Of the servant who had come to her as
sistance that she had read the note and was
acquainted with her disgrace. Diminishing
her, Rose left the untouched supper to its
fate, and dragging herself up to her own
room. threw herself upon the bed, and be-
tween her sobs, tried to form some plan of
action. Oh, how bitterly she now thought
of both friend and husband!
Only three months married and it had
already come to this.
Proud and sensitive, she determined
that she would no longer remain beneath
his roof to bring discredit upon it; SO when
morning dawned, and Ralph, already re-
pentant and remorseful for his cruelty, re-
turned, he found no wife to give him well
come. Only few words TO tell him that
she had gone forever.
Oh, the agony of that hour! How freely
would he have forgiven thousand offenses,
only to hold that dear form in his arms
once Aore! y.
He sat down and thought Of the sweet
face, the dear blue eyes, and golden hair,
until thinking almost drove him wild. Blu
it was too late.
Why tell of the fruitless search, the lone
~ days, the final settling down into an al
most utter despair? He could only family
try to keep up his hopes by thinking that
she loved him too well to stay away from
him forever.
But two years passed, and Rose May
nard had never visited their home.
Night in Chicago! Lights are blazing
everywhere in the heart of the brilliant
western city, and crowds are jostling each
other in their haste to reach their various
destinations.
A young man, tall and fine looking. has
just stopped at the busiest corner Of State
street, undecidedly which way to turn next.
He is handsome, but his face looks sad,
and he has way Of glancing shar ~ into
women's faces which seemed strangely out
of keeping with his quiet, gentlemanly
bearing.
As one Of these gay groups passes him,
he hears the name Of "Lotta" mentioned
az ,,laying at McVicker's
@Lotta!" he repeated to himself, slight
expression Of interest flashing into his pale
face. 1T is a long time since huve seen
her, and it will serve to brighten an hour or
so of life at least It is but STEP" glanc-
ing at the blazing tkeater so near him.
Yes" he added, / may as we'll be in the
theater as in the street. I shall never End
her,"
A sigh escaped him as he turned down
Madison and followed in the wake of the
pleasure-seekers. He was just about to
streaming from its open portals, when a
1ouy 10 Ia fr,r
A woman had fallen, falnting, almost at
his feet.
He lifted her in his arms, but the first
glance into Der white, still face almost
caused him to drop his burden and sink
down beside it.
Rose! Rose! My God! is she deed?" he
muttered excitedly, under his breath, for
the crowd was pressing around them.
He offered assistance, and carried be
INTO the nearest place he could find, where
she soon revived. Both being proud and
sensitive, however, they succeeded in re-
pressing their emotions until they were
alone together in the carriage which Ralph
had called.
Then the scene which followed can bet
ter be imagined than described.
Rose, with her golden head upon his
shoulder, told how she had awaited his
coming with blissful thoughts of reconcilia-
ton in her mind; how his note had made
her feel that he thought that his wife had
disgraced him, and how, wild with shame
and anger at the thought she had flown to
Chicago, where she supposed she had an
uncle living.
Going to his old address, she found that
he had removed, nor could she find any
trace of him. Therefore, too proud to re-
turn to the home which she had deserted,
she obtained employment as seamstress,
and was just returning late from her work
when she caught sight of his face in the
brilliant glare from the theater. The sud-
den vision was too much, and she fell, dy-
ing. as she thought, at his feet.
'Would you never have come home if I
had not found you, Rose?"
II believe I never should; I thought my
self disgraced, and the more so after had
reflected upon what people might say OF
my flight"
"They all knew that wes nearly heart
broken at your loss," said Ralph, with
grave tenderness; then after little pause
be added: Have you never heard Of Maude
Elton since you left?"
Never" with slight shudder; "what
became of herr"
@She eloped with A. only week after
you eloped with yourself" said Ralph with
q little attempt at playfullness. Their
doubtful relations were on every tongue
that very da, you were out with them, and
that's why"
YES" said Rose, putting her hand over
his lips, but don't soy it, I want to forget
that day forever" :: =.
And so you shall, my darling"
and to think, Ralph, how firmly we
believed ourselves TO be the only married
couple in the world who could live without
first quarrel"
Il think it was Blessing in, disguise,
though, darling, for it proved so terrible
it will certainly be our last.
And SO it was.
..." A Few Witicisms.
Come, come sir, none of your impu-
dence ;remember lam your father" SHAT
no fault of mine. You are the last person