River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1881-01-27
CHAPTER II

card drops from them on the seat on
which Is printed
ENocH ARDEN, AGENT.
The train boy entered and Arden put
up the records and bought c. pa
per in whilh he buried himself with
the keenest relish. Suddenly this par
agraph caught his eye:
Mrs. Gordon, formerly Mrs. Edith
Arden, and daughter of Abram Lester,
HIS received notice of the death of her
fathers uncle in England by which
she became the heiress of a large estate.
She willdepart for England in few
| weeks
Great God," exclaimed Arden drop
ping the paper from his nerveless
/ hands. Can it be possible? Why did
l never think of 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 l will
have her But perhaps she has forgot
ten me Perhaps she loves him. Shall
| pain her-2isgrace her? Oh, God! I'll
60. 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 EnDch yeaned to see her face again
| # j II ight look on her sweet face again
| But kno. that she is happy.
Arriving at c., Edith's husband
! for he it was-with 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 landward.
! Suddenly he strobe across, assembled
the stoOp, and rung the bell. 70 the
! servant who opened the door he said:
Can | see Mrs. Gordon?'
| He was shown in the parlor and
| when ;he 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
SFarkled and shone, so genial was the hearth.
ooh God" he exclaimed, II can't
stand it. / must fyr' And he rose and
stepped toward the door; but Just then
LNl;tI ,,,I 10 ,.cAtDI -
the spot. Oh how gloricusly 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 shrill and terrible cry
Which in moment like the blast of doom
CouI -hatter all the happiness of this hearth
'She has forgotten me, he thought
But row can | blame her? Perhaps
She was in want Yet, how can | give
her up? Take her back from this to the
little cottage? No. But if go away l
help her to commit crime-what shall
/ do?'
Sir" said Edith gently, though some
Wilt lIlSlAlClltNI III lIlC SIl dllSCl DIO-
longed stare, "will you please tell me
what your business is with me-"
yes, madam" said he, trying to
steady his voice, II wish to show you
finely engraved and illustrated Family
Record, for which | am canvassing
VIII you look at itn'
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 more to his arms.
The Record pleased Edith, and she
said She would take one, but that it was
too handsome to be married by her in
ferior penmanship, and she did not
know whom she could get to fill 1t out
properly.
Enoch said that if she wished he
would dc so for her, showing a speci-
men Of his penmanship. As she ex-
amiued it, flush passed over her face
and Il tear dimmed her eye, and she
murmured to herself:
"How like EnOch's writing. III had
not seen 4 stranger write it, | should
| have said it was his" She said aloud
I 10 JsIlJJCII. our iidIilty HldOd1li, ne
asked in a low tone, as he bent over
| the table"
Edith Arden Gordon"
: our marriage ?"
"To Enoch Arden, May 10th, IS
Your children's names@
Edith, born January 10th, IS
willie, born August Goth, IS
Nellie, born December Sd, IS
Died. May Sth, IS"
What exclaimed Enoch, off his
guard, Nellie dead? ?"
:. Yes sir" said Edith sadly, why
do you start -
Il thought-that is was getting it
down in the wrong place" said Enoch.
And regaining command of his voice,
he asked
What is the date of your marriage
t. Mr.. Gordon"
:. | am not married to Mr.. Gordon.
He is dead"
Not married Mr.. Gordon dead :"
Enoch said in a dazed sort of way.
NO sir, said Edith, 'and Lwish you
to make a note on the Record, that by
! the provision OF the will of the late
Hon. John Gordon. in order to come
into possession of the estate therein
willed to me, | have according to its
conditions. by act of the legislature,
changed my name to that of Gordon.
What is the matter, sir; are you i'll =
she asked rs EnOch tottered to his
feet
"Wherc Is your husband Enoch Al
den ? he asked tremhhngly.
He is dead He died"
"He lives, Edith. my wife, cried
Enoch. extending his arms.
Edith turned pale-looked searching
~ in the bearded face, and then, with
a glad cry, sprang to him and was fold
ed in his arms; while nothing disturbed
the stiffness but sobs of happiness and
low words of endearment. until the pat
ter of little feet was heard in the hall,
and little hoy peeped in the half open
door and called
"Oh. Eddy. come here and see santa
Claws kissing mamma
4u, title Edith peeped in with
large round wondering eyes, only to be
caught in Santa Claus arms, together
with her brother, and Rugged and
kissed till they cried. When they
learned that he was their papa they
seemed disposed to he disappointed as
thew were so sure they had caught San