The Benton weekly record. [volume] (Benton, Mont.) 1880-1885, 1883-10-13
SELECTED STORY
HOW HE PUNISHED HER,

He would show her what it meant to n
bel against him. True, she had asked biz
to let her 90 to her mother who was il
but who would attend to his wants if sll
went? He had made it plain enough
her; what more could she expect? Bu
she was not satisfied. She had declare
her Intention Of going anyhow, and sh
had said she did not see any reason VIII
she should stay away when her mothe
needed her so much. 1t was only a few
hours ride, and she could come straigh
back just as soon as mamma was better
Robert was angry, but when he though
over it would surely see that she wa
right.
She had reasoned so, and putting to-
gether a few articles which she would
need, she locked mp her things securely.
went down stairs and told Jones, the
WaIrlng-man, to say to his master that she
would only be gone two days. Leaving
everything in Jones' care, she went out
into the street, hailed a cab, and was driy-
Ell to the train.
Robert Nesbit received her message
and became deeply indignant. He felt
himself deeply aggrieyed. His authority
had been set aside, his comfort ignored.
and he determined to make her feel the
weight of his displeasure. He would pun
lsh her so severely that she would never
again defy him.
He went to his office, but was so silent
and grum all day that his partner Won
dered. Next day he did not come until
about noon, when he announced his in
tention of leaving the city. This was
sudden resolve, but the former said moth
ing. Nesbit was a peculiar man, and liked
no interference in his affairs. He only
asked: ''If letters come, to what point
should they be forwarded 2"
"Send none until you hear from me. for
l have not decided yet where I shall 90. ,,
was the reply.
A week passed-two, three, then a |
month had rolled away, and no word had
come from him. His partner had letter
from the wife, saying that she had written
to her husband again and again, and re-
ceived no reply. "Was he i'll? Was he
away? What was the matter?
He w1ole telling her all he knew, which
was simply that his partner had gone
away some weeks before.
Laurel had never so needed O husbands
consolng love. Her mother, to whom she
had been devoted, lay On the bed of death,
and her anguish at seeing this dear friend
about to leave her was augmented by
her husbands unjust and cruel treatment.
Her delicate health was failing, her suffer-
Ing was intense. If her husband would
only come! Each time the bell rang her
heart would give quick throb, and then
seem to cease beating. G
At last the suspense of watching and I
waiting the blow that would surely fall |
was ended. The blow fell, the good, kind
mother smiled on her for the last time. t
and died with her loving eyes fixed upon /
her child. Q
After the funeral she returned to the
city and went straight to the office, but D
her husband had not sent any news of his q
With sitting heart she v
turned away. She then went to their &
home, but there she met with disappoint- v
ment also. The house was closed and IL
locked up, the servants were all gone, and o
here was no one there to tell her anything.
There was nothing to do but to return TO
he depot and wait for the train to take
Ter back to her girlhood's home. In
ew hours she was back sobbing in her g,
arms. She told him all, and ta
lsked him what she must do. The dark la
light that flashed into his eyes BODIED no
rood for his brother-in-law should he meet
Tim in his present state, but he told her tv
he would attend TO it for her; she must go al
low and lie down.
But rest was impossible; sleep was far fh Il,
II from the wide, dark eyes. They were Sc
right and her brow and checks were ra
urning; before night she was delerious mi
With fever. w
On the same day that Laurel was inquir- sn
~ for him at home her husband III dis br
ant city chanced to pick up newspaper, tn
nd read this notice: ''Died at Clarmount. co
ear the town of , Mrs. Ellswood. lar
nother Of Walter G. Ellswood and Mrs.
sobert Nesbit.n Lac
GOOD heavens. Iaurcl's mother dead ",
md he had acted as he had about his
mes going! He had never thought her