The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1883-06-22
IF MY FIRST WIFE


Rose Terry Cooke.
IF MY FIRST WIFE
By G. MANvnLE FEM.
"Ah, my darling little sis. how are you
Lesbia hath q beaming- I" TT
MY dear Frank. am glad to see your
There was an embrace and the ladv burst
into tears. t'@-
"Lesbia has not beaming eve!" criod Frank
heston, barrister, who had just Ieaped down
from the dog-cart after cold drive from the
/; station at Rsmford to his brother-in-law's
handsome place, the Coppicc,, Calkston, where
: that new rela i've had settled after his return
from Australia, where he had been sent-the
younger son of good old country family-to
see what he could do Us what is euphoniously
termed q squat1er He had squatted to some
advantage, the fates having been kind; and.
after making o moderate fortune, he had sud
denly doubled it by marrying the widow of a
= colonial mnonate
At the lady's desre-her will being para
mount-'hey were on their way to England,
when one night they were awakened by aui
awful crash, and, rushing on deck, thew found
all in confusion. Some vessel had run into
them during fog, cut the great Austral liner
down below the waters edge, and during the
next half hour there was light for life
John Audas behaved admirably. When the
rush was made for the boats, he knocked down
half dozen towards one after The other. and
BY sheer strength helped the captain to send of
tho hrst boat properly manned, with half the
women passengers. merely STIMULATING that his
shr!eking, elderly wife should be one Then
he helped with the next and got that Off safely
before being overpowered, for mad rush
ensuel, the other boats were filled anyhow. and
at last the captain, second mate, half dozen
men and the brave young passenger were left
alone upon the deck of the sinking ship, with
throw them overheard, and trust themselves
70 this frail support before the vessel went
down.
From this raft they were picked up exhausted.
half dead, BY passing ship, having seen no
more Of the boats, all of which were lost pre-
eumaDiy, IN me gale which came on before
many hours had passed; AMI thus it was that
John Audas found himself widower, at
thlrtv-five and far from inconsolable. for re-
port said his existence with the relict of the
colonial magnate had been of the kind to which
Some people give very unpleasant term.
80 little indeed was the handsome young
'colonst affected by his loss that, after settling
down AZ the Coppices, where he revealed In the
nfe OF country gentleman, year had hardly
passed before he was q suitor for the hand Of
Lesbia Reston, the daughter Of the old vicar of
Calkston, and the belle Of the country ball.
Matters followed one another in the most
prosalc way. John Audas was beyond reproach
for a son-in-law; his wooing was downright
and honest; and the lady found the bluff, sun
browhed, well-informed fellow-albeit he was
FAR from clever-quite contrast and relief
after the insipid locals" of the neighborhood;
tlmaey, John Audas proposed, was accepted
Frank Reston came from the Temple to be
present at bis sisters wedding, and now that
: six months later, he had run down to spend q
few days at the Coppices. to have little
shooting. he found her thin, pale, care worn and
ready at a word TO burst into tears.
why, little Lesby," he cried with all his
old petting ways, "what is it? Surely Jack is
not behaving badly to you?"
"No. Oh. mo-! It is nothing, Frank; am
little hysterical."
"But it is something's" he exclaimed oru
have it out with john
"My dear Frank, you'll make me wrotched
If you say word"
ooh, we'll. il you take that tone, of course
I will not" said her brother; 'sbut came
down here for rest and have bit Of enjoy
ment, AMI find you in tears"
Eyes, YES aud it's all my nonsense, Frank,
dear. There, it's all gone now. It's the
weather, think
where's John?"
either in the stables, or down the garden.
dear. I'll send for him."
"Oh, I'll go aud look him up suppose
he'll be glad to see me?'
why, of course, dear. He has been talk
ing about nothing else since no heard you were
'.Ah, that's right" said Frank Reston, emil
ing
'Aud I'm 80 glad you've come, Frank, dear.
You see, I'm afraid I'm not much Of company
for r! dear r, John1not such good company as-as
swell. you're deal better company than she
ia now"
"1'Il try very hard to take an interest in his
pursuits; but I'm so stupid, Frank. that I'm
afraid he gets out Of pstiencs"
Reston bluntly; 'ff you Two people can't be
happy in this glorious place, with every lux
ury about you aud only to speak to have what.
ever you please, you deserYe-you deserve
there, don't know what you don't deserved"
s.Yes, dear, We do" sid the lady meeky.
cab, here cumas GEAR Jonn iii run away;
don't tell him I've been CRYING"
"Stuf! Is it liksly?"
"And, pray, pray, Frank, don't let him think
that have been murmuring. 1t would make
him 80 unhappy"
As she spoke she ran of, and Frank Res,ou
crossed the hall to inset his stalwart brother.
in law, who looked the beau ideal of country
gentlemen and a striking contrast to the pale,
careworn student fresh from his gloomy
chambers 10 town.
'Ah, Frank, my dear boy, 1 am glad to see
you Why, You pale, bleached bookworm-
here, come out in the open air, and let's get
some color in your cheeks. Com, and have q
look at the dogs"
They went and had look at the splendid
settlers and retrievers in their kennels. and as
Reston admired them
"Ah," said Audas, sit nv first wife had been
alive. how she would have idolzed those dogsn
Better have idolized YOU" said Reston
blunty.
s'Yee, of COURSE" said Audas, in nowise ap-
peased "We'll have a grand ride or two
while you are here. Come ov. to the stables
I've got q mare that will suit you to T.
There" he said, as he patted first one and
then another satin skinned beauty, as it turned
its head round with rattle of the head-stall
for TIP expected bit of sweet carrot or cake,
''theytre right, aren't they? All, il my first
wife had boon alive, she would have loved o
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
get to dinner"
"Well, shan't be sorry to have it," eaid the
London guest; aud with his brother-in-lsw's
hand affecionately resting upon his shoulder
they went IN, and in due time dlned.
But somehow TINT was not 81 pleasant meal
as it might lave been, and the acute barrister
was not long in finding that tho grit that
showed itself in the cook the acidity in the
wine, and the jar in the conversation was all
due to one thing, which found voice in the
words: "Ah, it my first wife," oto
Slack loves her" said Frank Reston to him
self, as he lay in bed that night, ''sho worships
him, and they are not happy. Jack Audas is d
good fellow, but not over-wise. Lesby ia the
most an1iable little darling that ever breathed,
and yet they don't seem as they should be-
Haug his first wife! Humph! we'll. no; she's
deceased. What fool the man is to poison