Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-11-28
watched tn. scene with peculiar in.

watched the scene with peculiar in
terest.
"Let us go back" said Seymour;
"that horrible affair has upset me-"
us that the way you manage these
matters in Englandf" asked Ernest.
I'm sorry to say that isn't the first
fool who has jumped off Waterloo
Bridge, and I'm afraid it won't be the
last. Don't imagine, though, that as a
thing"
IL hope not, at all events in that
way" said the Frenchman. cit is RI
diculous, or would be so, if there were
not a touch of tragedy in 1t. Why did
he throw himself into the water when
there are SO many ways out of exist
ence?"
perhaps he half hoped he might be
saved after ALL"
"He had his wish in that case," re-
piled Ernest. ''What will become of
him now?"
81 suppose he will go before a mag
i%strate. The police have him in
charge"
Ernest smiled.
ga romantic ending to a terrible sto-
ry, is it not? We manage these things,
at all events, better in France. heard
OF a case the other day: A lover lost his
mistress; he opened a vein in his arm
and died quietly during the night with
out a soul being any the wiser. You
say we are a theatrical nation, yet it is
you who throw yourselves off bridges,
while We"
"For Heavens sake, man, do stop
your horrible stories! Let us get on to
some pleasanter subject than that of
leaving this world"
Gas you wish. Here we are at our
hotel. Will you come up to my room
for an hourp 1 won't talk of suicides,
l promise you"
Seymour was anything but inclined
for bed after his recent adventure, so
he gladly accepted.
Ernest sent for some refreshments,
and it was past three before they sep
arated, each delighted at having found
a pleasant companion.
During the next three days they saw
a great deal of each other. Seymour
discovered that there was some mystery
about his new acquaintance. He had
apparently no object in being in Lon
don, had no friends, did not care an
atom about the sights. Besides this, he
had occasional fits of intense melan-
choly, and was often feverishly anxious
for time to pass.
Nevertheless, he was generally an
agreeable companion, and at his worst
he was an interesting study. Sey-
mour spent as much time as he could
with him, especially in the evening.
They seldom parted till the small
hours.
One morning a small nephew of Sey-
mour's came to see him, and greatly
amused the two friends by his pre-
%cocious ways. Ernest seemed to
brighten more than he had done be-
fore, and laughed outright once at the
youngsters grief at the fact that his
father could not give him a watch yet.
Seymour was delighted to see the mel
ancholy Frenchman with so much life
in him.
'Next day, however, all gayety had
disappeared. He was feverishly anx-
ious. 1t vas Tuesday. He had gone
out before breakfast to buy the Times.
There was nothing in it to interest
him. He threw away the copy as soor
as he had glanced down the column
which was to contain the advertisement
from his friend Charles.
That evening Seymour could do moth
ing with him. AS a last he
suggested a game of cards. Ernest
instantly accepted, and urged high
play ; Seymour acquiesced against his
will. Finally, the Englishman lost a
few pounds, which Ernest refused tc
accept. He had only played for the
excitement. Seymour, however, natur.
ally insisted on paying his losses.
Although they sat up late, Seymour
could hear Ernest pacing up and down
his room long after they parted. Theil
rooms were adjacent. Ernest did not
60 to bed that night.
By daylight he was in the street. He
knew now where to get an early copy Of
the Times. His first glance told him
all. Suzanne was married.
He crushed the paper in his hand,
For a minute or two he stood motion.
less; then, with a start, he began walk
ing to the hotel.
There was nothing remarkable about
him when he came down to breakfast
in the cotfee-room, unless a quieter de.
meanor than usual might be deemed so
He spoke to Seymour when he entered
and hoped he did not disturb him by
his early rising. Seymour did not know
he had risen.
Eyes; went out for a stroll to Wa
terloo bridge. By the by, I hope 70,
will let me give you your revenge thi!
evening; that little game last nigh
pulled me together wonderfully. w
been fcverish the last few days"
"I'm not anxious for my revenge
said Seymour; II don't often play"
"Nor I, and I am never comfortabl
until / lose. Yoa will do me a favor i
you will give ne a chance. 1t calm
my brain; it's as good as medicine t.
me-"
Seymour laughed and promised. H
saw nothing OF Ernest the whole day
but they had appointed to meet at tel
o'clock.
Ernest spent this afternoon in goin;
through his possessions. He had moth
ing with him to declare his identity
His linen was only marked with initials
which stood equally well for his rea
and assumed names. The few letter
" 1-L- - -