Kimball enterprise. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1883, 1883-06-22
All, II my first wife had been alive, she
would have enjoyed a few gallops over

All, II my first wife had been alive, she
would have enjoyed a few gallops over
some of the wolds."
'Humph! would she?" said Reston.
"Yes; she was q splendid woman on
horse back. Well, come in now and
dress, and let's 90 to dinner"
"Well, shan't be sorry to have it"
said the London guest; and with his
brother-in-law's hand affectionately rest
Ing upon aia shoulder, they went in,
.rid i, due tine dined.
Bit somehow that was not SO pleasant
= meal as it might have been, and the
acute barrister was not long in finding
that the grit that showed itself in the
co oking, the acidity in the wine, and the
jar IN the conversation was all due to
one thing, which found voice in the
words: "Ah, if my first WIFE" etc.
Jack loves her." said Frank Reston
''she worships him, and they are not
happy. Jack Audus is good fellow,
but not over wise. Lesby is the most
amiable little darling that ever breathed,
and vet they don't seem as they should
be. Hang his first wife! Humph! we'll,
no; she's deceased. What fool the
man is to poison his cup Of happiness
like this! BY Jove, what good thing it
would be if Lesby had dangerous fit OF
sickness; it would bring Jack to his
senses, and--heigh, ha, ha, hum, how
sleepy am and"
That was all, for he dropped off to
sleep at once. But he had similar
thoughts to these every night during his
stay, and again on mis- way back to Lon
don, after doubling the length Of his
visit, and even then his brother-in-law
being half offended because he would
not, as Audas said, make it few days
longer"
''If my first wife had been alive! If
my first wife had been alivep the very
words in Frank Reston's ears as he sped
south, and thought over the matrimon-
ial situation at the Coppices.
"Poor little Lesby! He'll break her
heart" he said to himself. 81 do not
wonder at it. She feels jealously miser-
able about that first wife. l wish now
had spoken to Jack"
"No, l DON'T" he said after a little
more thinking, 1t would not have been
wise."
Perhaps something may happen to
bring him to his Senses" he said, after
happen"
And then he read the Times till he
reached town;
Frank Reston sat in his dingy room
hard at work over brief-not his first;
but these documents were sufficiently
rare visitants to make him study those
which came with the most intense ap-
plication.
prrho hlxy klok
truths that he cleaned from the careful
ly written folios before him should not
escape after being once taken into his
head, the young barrister was resting
his brow upon his hands, his elbows
were upon the table, and his thumbs
over his ears, while, as from time to
time he read few words out aloud. it
seemed IN the semi-obscurity of the
gloomy room as if he we're addressing
himself to venerable gentleman on
the other side of the room, till more
penetrating look showed that the said
venerable gentleman was only the young
barrister's wig with the time hon
ored grizzled head.gear, which betok-
ened the regular wearer's position in
court.
Gentleman to see you, SIR" said his
clerk, entering the room.
Name" said Frank, ,aconically.
Wouldn't give no name sir. Must
see you directly, sir
Hullo!" exclaimed the barrister, as
well-muft1ed.up traveller, forced his way
in, bag and rug in hand.
Hush! only me; send away your
clerk"
Frank Reston nodded at his wonder
ing aid, who left the room.
stWhy my dear John what is tho
matter? Lesby?"
,,'Oh, she's all right; God bless her!'
cried Audas, throwing himself into
chair, and gazing wildly, with blank, ca
daverous face, at his brother-in-law.
Give me something for heavens sake
brandy-wine-I'm done up"
Reston opened a cupboard, brought
out his spirit stand, and Audas hastily
gulped down glass of spirit, returning
the glass to the table with trembling
hand.
why, John, old fellow" said Reston.
t'what is it?"
"I'll-I'll tell you directly. I hardly
dare; but, oh, Frank, swear to yoh I
did it all in innocencey. Oh. my darlingl
Ny poo, darling! Don't blame me,
Frank. swear to you / believed itall."
Here, here! Come, come, old fellow.
LON give way IKE lulS. WY, NAuS
it, man, what is it? You look as if you
had committed crime"
81 have, Frank, l have; and against
the dearest, the sweetest girl that ever
blessed man with her tender love-"
sWhy, John Audas," said Reston,
6ercely. .if you have dared to raise
your hand against my sister"
Raised my hand against her?" cried
Audas, in tones of whitening contempt,
"Why, would sooner hew it off,"
"Then what the deuce is the meaning
of all this? You haven't been such
fool as to take shares in gold miner"
"Bah! Don't be absurd
"Wbat is it, then? Crime? What do
you mean?"
Read that" cried Audas, tearing his
pocket-book from his brust with trem-
bling hands, opening it and producing
one Of those dirty, discolored pieces Of
paper which a paternal government
considers good enough for the transmits
sion of a telegram.
"Eh! Why. what's this?'; said Reston.
reading, From Grace Audas, Ultrama-
rine Hotel, Folkestone, Calkshire. Come
to me at once. Our boat drifted to an is
land. Very ILL.,"
John Audas wiped the great drops of
perspiration from his forehead.
We'll, but" began Reston in
puzzled tones.
81 believed she was dead, Frank. On
my soul I believed she was"