Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1881-01-27

mingled pain and Indignation. =
II ask you if you will not marry
again, said the Senator, still oblivious
to the widows state of feeling, or think
ing it came from some other cause
Mrs. Arden, Edith, loved your moth
err and lost her. May not her daughter
be kinder to me. Edith, will you mar
~ me. am lonely, and"
"Mr. Gordon" interrupted the wild
ow in trembling voice. "Pease don't
say any more. 1t can never be. No
other can fill my husbands place in
my affection"
Very well maam, said the senator
in husky voice as he arose. Il think
a good deal of you because loved your
mother and / thought maybe you
might like me little-but-its all
right suppose. was foolish to think
of it. Good evening ma'am. Don't
trouble yourself about the rent, any
time it's convenient"
Good evening Mr. Gordon" said
Edith kindly, II respect you and am
grateful for your appreciation, but |
shall never marry another"
After Edith had put her little ones to
sleep, she sat gazing at their little inno-
cent faces long time, thinking wheth-
er she had done right by them in re-
tusing home, wealth and kind pro-
lection. At last she raised her eyes,
they fell on her husbands portrait, and
she murmured-
'Nol no, it would be sacrilege. |
will work for my little ones, but | will
not take another in thy place, will not
sell myself for gold"
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 hesitatingly granted,
and at last refused.
She was advised to ask assistance
from Senator Gordon as her mother 5
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 us she
looked over the accumulated bills
which She must work to pay, besides
supporting her family, she almost de-
SPARED Then was the senator
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
CHATTER II.
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
II tall heavily bearded man, who seem.
to grow more and more impatient a.
he nears the city. Finally he opens
his satchcl and takes out a roll ofhand
somely engraved Family Records" and
tried to kill time looking them over. A
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 which he buried himself with
the kcenest relish. Suddenly this par
agraph caught his eye:
"Mrs. Gordon, formerly Mrs. Edith
Arden, and daughter of Abram Lester
! has received notice of .he death of hel
fathers uncle in England, 10y which
she became the heiress of large estate
She will depart for England in few
weeks
Great God" exclaimed Arden drop
ping the paper from his neryeless
hands. Can it be possible? Why die
| 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 | vii
have her But perhaps she has forgot
ten me. Perhaps she loves him. Shall
| pain her--Gisgrace her? Oh, God! II
90, IN not break in on her happiness
! but | must see her and my children
once more, ere | return TO the wildS t
die"
Then he shuddered as there came tC
| him the words he often had read tt
Edith in the happy days of their court
ship:
! But Enoch ycarned to see her face again
! If might lool. ON her sweet face again
! But knoS hat she is happy.
Arriving at c., Edlth's husband
! for he il was-with n sad heart and {
trembling step, wendell his way up the
avenue till he reached the Corridor
mansion 1t was Christmas eve, anc
a merry happy crowd passed up anc
down the avenue, unmindful of the
snow which was falling thick and fast
Enoch stood opposite tine brilliantly
! E,btol p,orsion uoyinu NJ II with i