Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1884-07-09

In her arms and drag him back from
the awful death to which he was hurl-
L.

sn0 SWAul u00Gu W WHICH NO was 0USls
ing himself.
When they reached the cedar-wains-
coted parlor, where the blazing log cast
. ruddy reflection on the rod moreen
curtains, Mrs. Mildmay looked into
her stepson's face with loving eyes.
'And now, Rufus" said she, tell
ne all about 1t. The Lord has besn
very good to you in saving you from =
terrible crime"
Mother, why did you stop mee'' hs
said recklessly. Il am I ruined mani
shall be dishonored in the sight OF the
worldl Death would be preferable, 5
thousand times, to disgrace!"
'Rufus," said the old lady tenderly,
''do you remember when you used e.
get into boyish scrapes at SCHOOL, II
you remember how you used to conflde
your troubles to me? Let Us forget all
the years that have passed. Let n. Is
child and mother once again.
ss!;| 81 be- e ~ -; ~ e ~ lf
own. also. he confessed which had
woven itself like fatal web about
his feet-of the unpaid bills, the clam
oring tradesfolk, the threats of public
exposure, which had driven him at last
to the forgery of his employers signa-
ture, in order to free himself from one
or two Of the most pressing of these
demands.
And ii my investment in those bonds
had proved success" he said eager
ly, II could have taken up every one
of the notes before they came due.
But there was change in the market,
and nOw-now the bills will be present.
ed next week. and my villainy will be
patent to all the world! Oh, mother,
mother! why did you not let me ding
myself into the Black Poole'
Rufus" said his stepmother, what
is the amount of these-theso forged
billsp"
1.-TWO thousand pounds" he answer
ed, staring gloomily into the fire.
Exactly the amount of the Govern
ment bonds which your father left me-"
said Mrs. Mildmay; ''they would have
been yours at my death. They are
yours now, Rufus"
Mother. you don't mean"
''Take them," said Mrs Mildmay,
tendcrlv pressing her lips to his fore
head; ''go to the city the first thing to-
morrow morning and wipe this stain
from your life as you would wipe few
blurred figures from slate. And then
begin the record of existence anew"
And up in the little room which he
had occupied as a child, Rufus Mild
may slept the first peaceful slumbers
which had descended upon his weary
eyelids for many and many n night.
In the midnight train from town
came Rosamond Mildmay to The Hem
locks. with a pale terrified face and
haggard eyes.
''Oh, mother, mother!'' she sobbed,
"wncrc is he--my husband? He has
left me. aud the letter on the dressing-
table declared that he would never re-
turn alive! Oh, mother. it is my fault!
I have ruined him! Help me, comfort
me, toll me what shall do"
Mrs Miidmay took her daughter-in-
aMgs aiMgIe aS4a 451@ VIII Wherd 5s1 her @ husband lay
sleeping.
Rosamond drew long sobbing sligo
of relief. and claspcd her hands togeth-
er as il in mute prayer at the sight
"Hushr' said the old lady; ''do not
WuhC u1tu. X1C 10 WOth oues Ootu IA
mind and body. Only be thankful that
God has given him back to you. almost
from the grave.
And as the two women sat together
by the blazing logs in the crimson par
lor, Mrs. Mildmay told Rosamond the
whole story of the meeting at the Black
Pool.
Mother" said Rosamonl with .
quivering lip. ''it is my doing. You
warned me OF this long ago. Oh. why
did l give no heed to your wordse !
deserve it all!'
"You will do better for the future,
my DEAR" said the old lady kindly.
'Only be brave and steadfast."
So the young people went back to the
city and commenced the world anew,
Withdrawing from the maelstrom of
''society," and living within themselves.
Mrs. Mildmay, senior, camc with
them, and Rosamond is learning the art
of Housekeeping under her direction.
Mamma is an angel!'' says the
young wife enthusiastically. ''And II
/ could only be just like her. should
have no higher ambition"