Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1882-11-30
MEXICO MISSOURI THURSDAY NoVEMBER 80 1882
wife was tompellsd o confirm the . ver. YER.

wife was tompellsd @ confirm the ven ,fs,.
dict.
Hugh. are you not welle'' she said.
and laid her glored hand on his arm.
He shivered at her touch and drew him.
self hastily. away.
At that rnonIant tn carriage stopped
and the footrnati threw open the door.
For the first time he permitted the man
to assist his wife tealisht, he following
her up the stairs and disappearing with.
In his rooms.
She mounted the steps slowly, and
when within her own apartments she
stood still. - Aa.
HE has learned to hate me. she said
to herself-s'tc hate me! and l."
The rest of the sentence was left un-
finished.
There was great excitement in the
town. The men belonging to Hugh
Hammersley's factories had struck for
higher wages, and he had refused their
demand.
1t was a priaciple Of right with him.
He was both just generous IN the
prices paid them land he determined
not to be coerced into a step his judp-
ment told him was but tie first towards
proving that his<workucn, not himself,
might hold the mastery.
The immense buildings were closed;
the heavy loonls were still; 1; thS drink
ing-pIacesi throughout the city Nsre cob
stantly filled with groups of sulIHn men,
who had already lost what the advance
would gain them in year.
Days merged into weeks, and sullen-
ness found voice, and voice merged into
threats, and the threats directed them
selves against ono man. the master of
the works. ssss &-x-3. -.
tits III Fery well for him TO ride in
his carriage while we starve, they said
"Let him look to himself. Hungry men
are desperate.
At last these threats reached his ear.
For the first time since that memorable
day, almost q year before, he presented
himself at his wife's apartments.
As voice, in answer to his knock,
bade him enter, he opened the door,
By strange coincidence she was stand
ing in the self-same spot, but a deep
crimson flush mounted to her forehead,
and betrayed her surprise at this most
unlocked for visit.
She took step forward to meet him,
but paused. He was the calm. nossess-
ed one of the two.
81 would apologize for nv intrusion. !"
he said, ..but that when l make known
its object Won will understand its neces.
sitv T hear tb;s morn;nr IN. the No,
are banding themselves into rioters. NV
house will be the first point of attack. I
deem it best that you should send your
jewels and yaluables to the bank, and
seek some place of ssfety with anz Of
your friends whom Won NAV nreferm
.And you?''
81 shall remain here.n
But there is danger"
True; but no man hitherto, think,
has susnected me- of cowardice and a.
nv post is here. here will remain-
shall take all measures for INV safety
then meet whatever comes. In case Of
the worst-and doubtless ,t this ;unc-
ture my life is threatened-I have left
all nv affairs in shape. and need hardly
assure YOU. madame. that nv wife,s I'm.
ture has been my first concern"
ssThanks," size murmured and bent her
head
He could not see the tear that glist-
ened on the lashes sweeping the lovely
cheek.
Il have thought of Lady Ripley" he
continued. ''She, l am sure, will be de-
lighted to welcome you. VIII you
choose her housep
mo" -
~ snail remain here"
~ Is Impossible.
Ana whys lou stay A wi1e place
S Desioe ne1 husband.
ne ne, s"!led oItterty.
Inns Is scarcely the time. madame, TO
remember your vows. Forget them, !
pray you, IN this as in all else. l must
lnsist upon your choosing some other
snelte
one SHOOK ner heao.
canhot she inurmurea' IN Voice
30 low that ne couid scarcely catch the
WORDS. l
ou cannot! Is there some reason,
tnen, ! 90 not know" =
"ferhaps, but one l cannot confess.
Respect it however, l beseech you, and
let me remain.
1 could scarcely hope, madame, to
be esteemed worthy OF your confidence,
neither can use force in compelling
you to leave this house, but must ex-
ercise q husbands rights in demanding
your obedience. The danger is too OBJ
vlous to permit you to share It. !"
''Be it so, then. Within an hour my
apartments will be vacant"
..Shall I escort YOU to vour friend !
housep', =
"No. Twin oo alone # e.
She besitated a moment
.You will nrom;se mo tn RIM m nm,
necessary risk?,' = -'->.''
mo man should trif,e with his life
it is Heavens gift" he answered and
abruptly left her standing with clasned
hands and heavinp bosom
"What care he took to tell me wh,
his life was preciousr' She murmured
tYet. do I not deserve ;tp Yes hut moi
that It should be taken from me. Oh
Heaven spare him! spare himp' And
she fell. in bitter weeninu on he,
knees. - 70
It was midnight when the mob attack.
ed the house. There were lo,,d cries fo,
the master.
LET him speak. and we will listenr'
they shouted.
Within the barricaded windows Hugh
Hammersley heard and understood. He
advanced toward one of the windows,