Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1881-01-27

cent faces a long time, thinking wheth-
er she had done right by them in re-
fusing a home, wealth and a kind pro-
lection. At last she raised her eyes,
they fell on her husbands portrait, and
she murmured-
mo! no! it would be sacrilege, |
will work for my little ones, but | will
not take another in thy place, will not
sell myself for goldr'
But she little thought how that resO-
luton was to be tried. Christmas
came, but no Santa Claus came to the
little cottage; but sickness came in
stead combining Edith to the house for
months, and the rent and doctors bill
grew frightfully large, credit at the
store was at first hesitatinglv granted,
and at last refused.
She was advised to ask assistance
from Senator Gordon as her mothers
friend, but even had she consented, it
was impossible, for the senator also
was confined to his bed by a dangerous
illness.
At last Edith recovered; and as she
looked over the accumulated bills
which she must work to pay, besides
supporting her family, she almost de-
SPARED. Then was the senator's
wealth again Unexpectedly Of
fered to her if she would change her
name TO Gordon, and she accepted.
The little cottage was deserted and she
moved into the brown stone mansion
on the avenue, on whose door shOne
the name of Gordon"
CHAPTER IL.
A year has passed, Christmas is again
approaching, and the snow lies deep
and white on the ground. On board a
train approaching the city of c. is
tall heavily bearded man, who seems
to grow more and more impatient as
he nears the city. Finally he opens
his satchel and takes out roll of hand
somely engraved Family Records"and
tried to kill time looking them over. A
care. drops from them on the seat on
which is printed
ENoCH ARDEN, Agent.
The train boy entered aI3 Arden put
up the records and bought c. pa
per in which he buried himself with
the keenest relish. Suddenly this par
agraph caught his eye:
Mrs. Gordon, form erly Mrs. Edith
Arden, and daughter OF Abram Lester,
has received notice Of the death of her
fathers uncle in England, by which
she became the heiress of a large estate.
She will depart for England in few
weeks"
"Great Cod" exclaimed Arden drop
ping the paper from his nerveless
hands. "Can it be possible? Why did
| never think CT that? Married to my
landlord, Senator Gordon! Then | am
too late! too late! Shall [ go back and
leave her in peace? No, never! She is
mine by law and by love and | will
have her, But perhaps she has forgot
ten me. Perhaps she loves him. Shall
[ pain her-disgrace her? Oh, God! I'll
go. I'll not break in on her happiness,
but | must see her and my children
once more, ere return to the wilds to
die"
Then he shuddered as there came to
him the words he often had read to
Edith in the happy days of their court
ship:
But Enoeh yeaIned to see her face again
If l might look on her sweet face again
But know that she is happy.
Arriving at c., Edith's husband
for he it was-With a sad heart and a
trembling step, wended his way up the
avenue till he reached the Gordon
mansion. 1t was Christmas eve, and
a merry happy crowd passed up and
down the avenue, unmindful of the
snow which was falling thick and fast.
Enoch stood opposite the brilliantly
lighted mansion gazing at it with a
wild haggard look, as he softly muir
INJURED to himself the lines:
For Phillips fronted on the street.
The latest house to landwarl.
Suddenly he strobe across, assembled
the stoop, and rung the bell To the
servant who opened the door he said:
Can | see Mrs. Gordon?'
He was shown in the parlor and
| when the servant asked his name. re-
Piled
"a gentleman on business"
Through the half opened folding
doors he saw coy dining-room with
its bright fire, and the table set for sup
per, and he murmured shudderingly:
For cups and silver on the FURNISHED board
| Sparkled and shone, so genial was the hearth
''Oh God" he exclaimed, "I can't
stand it. | must fly" And he rose and
stepped toward the door; but Just then
Edith entered, and he stood rooted to
the spot. Oh how gloriously beauti-
full she had grown. And her beauty
was admirably enhanced by her rich
dress and Sparkling jewels.
As her husband, unrecognized by
her, gazed on his beautiful wife-for
she was his-he kept saying to himself,
his love prompted him
| To send abroad a shrill and terrible cry
Which in one moment like the blast of doom
| Could SLATER all the happiness of this hearth
''She has forgotten me- he thought
"But how can [ blame her? Perhaps
she was in want. Vet, how can give
her up? Take her back from this to the
little cottage? No. But if / go away l
help her to commit a crime-what shall
[ dO?"
''Sir," said Edith gently, though some
what frightened at the strangers pro-
longed stare, twill you please tell me
what your business is with me-
eyes, madam" said he, trying to
steady his voice, II wish to show you a
finely engraved and illustrated Family
Record, for which [ am canvassing
VIII you look at itr'
Edith took one. and while she exam
ined it her husband gazed on her beau
tiful features and listened to her sweet
familiar voice, till he almost forgot the
abyss that separated them, and longed
| to take her once moro tO his arms