The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1883-10-07

the bare truth with a completeness which the
clerical gossip himself, whose belief always
Kept pace with his invention, was far firm
realizing. The only thing he could with
accuracy have told, beyond the simple fact of
the marriage, was that when, according to
his wont, he attempted to add a few words
OF exhortation and moral reflection, the
bridegroom cut him short and showed him
to the door with a courtesy perfect but
irresistible, and somewhat softened by the
hberallty Of the fee which accompanied the
dismissal
The boy during these singular proceedings
had remained in a state OF excited astonish-
ment almost amounting to stupefaction; but
when the newly-united family were alone to-
gether, his natural perversity broke out, and
showed itself in its natural and unamiable
colors. To the father the child's every un-
couth word and act were the most acute tor
ture; and the mother, partly by woman's in
stlnct, partly from previous acquaintance
with her husbands fastidiousness, was to a
great degree sensible of this. She made no
effort, however, to restrain her child. She
seemed to have thrown off all responsibility
upon the father, and busted herself in prepa-
rations for the boys departure, about which,
although neither had spoken Of it, there
~ SOAo OAGlb ullueTSb1uuluR.
The forenoon was well worn when Farms
worth came to the door with his carriage,
for which he had gone in person.
Come, Della" he said, entering the house.
1--WE may as well leave everything as it is.
l told Mrs. Bemis to lock up the house and
sec to it. Are you readyr'
"Farusworth is" she replied, seating her
self in a low chair and drawing to her side
the uncouth boy, who struggled to get free.
He broke in rudely, announcing his readi-
ness, his joy at leaving Kemptou, and his
satisfaction at wearing his Sunday jacket,
which to his father looked poor enough.
But you, DeliaT' her husband inquired,
putting up his hand to quiet the child. ''Are
you readyF'
II am not going"
Whether it were relief, remorse, or aston
ishment which overwhelmed him, John
Farnsworth could never have told. He
stood speechless, looking at his wife like one
suddenly stricken dumb. The boy GlIed in
the pause with noisy representations,
depriving the tragedy of even the poor
dignity of silence. The father knew
from the outset that remonstrance
would not be likely to avail, yet he remon-
strated; perhaps, for human nature is subtle
beyond word, lie was unconsciously for that
reason the more earnest in his pleading. He
would have been glad could this woman and
her child have been swept ont of existence.
Already he had to hold himself strongly in
check, lest the reaction which had followed
his heroic resolve to marry Della should show
itself; but he choked back the feeling with
all resolution.
"No," Della persistently said, her eyes dry,
her voice harsh from huskiness. give no
place anywhere but here. 1t is too late now.
I've more feeling than l thought, for do care
something even now to be an honest woman
n the sight of my neighbors; and thatll help
me bear it, l suppose. Take the boy, and do
for him all you owed to me. 1 should spoil
all If 1 went. He is best quit Of me IL hes to
please you and grow like you. I'll stay here
and dig graves; 1 am fit for nothing else. 1
want nothing of you. married you for the
boys sake, and for his sake | break my heart
and send him away; but l will nave nothing
for myself. The days when 1 would have
taken a penny from you are long gone"
She spoke calmly enough, but with a GER
tain poignant stress which made every word
fall like a weight. He did not urge her far
Their. He held out his hand, into which she
laid hers lifelessly.-
"Good-by," he said. GAS God sees me,
Della, I'll do my best by the boy. I will
write to you. If you change your decision
b no matter now. l will write to you
and to the minister"
all Obhch nOido L IdIliuk WtTe Df1eI ana
soon spoken. The boy showed no emotion
at leaving his mother, as he had throughout
exhibited no tenderness. He climbed uoisily
into the carriage, and the father and son, so
strangely assorted, rode together up the hill,
past the stark Westinghouse, and SO on into
the world whose seething wave seldom
troubled, even by such a ripple as the
events just narrated, the dull calm of
Kempton; and to John Farnsworth 1t was as
IL the woful burden of remorse which had so
long veIed heart and conscience had taken
bodily shape and rode by his side.
Della had been calm until the two were
gone-so calm that her husband thought her
still half dazed by the excitement and an
guish Of the previous night. She stood
steadily at the window until the carriage dis
appeared behind the grave-covered hill. Then
she threw herself groveling Upon the floor in
the very ecstasy of woe. She did not shrek.
~strangling in her throat into inarticulate
means and gu~rglings the cries which rent
their way from her inmost soul; but she beat
her head upon the bare floor; she caught at
the furniture like a wild beast, leaving the
print of her strong teeth in the hard wood;
she was convulsed with her agony, an mar
ticulate animal rage, a boundless, mex
preSsible anguish which could not be
measured or expressed. She clutched
~ CCTCA ~ - etFabt shAAAAo a. II
she would tear herself in pieces; she
wounded and bruised herself with a fierce
ness so intense as to be almost delight.
In the midst of her widest p%aroxysIn there
came a knocking at the door. She started
up, her face positively illuminated "They
have come backl" she murmnred in ecstasy.
She rushed to the door and un6id its fasten
ings with fingers tremulous from eager JOY.
A neighbor confronted her, staring in dismay
and amazement at her strange and di
shevelled appearance.
whats come to We, Delor' he demanded
roughly, though not unkindly. 'TWhen V,
goin' to put the box in Wilder ~Pettigrove'
gravef'
She confronted him for an instant with a
wandering look in her eye, as though sh,
had mercifully been driven mad. Then tn,
tyranny of life and habit rcaSserted itself.
L come up now, Bill, ~ she said.
And she went hack to her graves.
Might Have Lived Longer.
tChicngo Tribune.l