The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-10-03


now IuiI OF courage!
''Csmo in." Miss Soulsby's sweet
voice followed knock Mt tho front
door.
Mr.. Lambs associate came into the
room.
'Ledyard tclegraphs that the line is
open now and party is starting out.
You have not moment to spare. No
one knows how long wo may be shut in
here, when once the spring thaw sets
in"
And so before the curious scrutiny of
this observer, they closed tho day and
bid each other but II formal adicu.
SCENE II.
Mr.. Edward Lamb brought TO its
close letter, sitting in the reading
room of hotel in the city at the west
crn scagate. Sunday influence had de-
layed its completion; he had just come
to the end of his trans-continental trip;
certain sense of freedom and citation
was still new enough to intoxcate him,
heart and brain; he could not put out
of his mind the sensation. when, cross
ing tho bay from the train. he first
caught sight of the city looming ahead
like some mighty monster in bronze.
And an acquaintance he had made re-
strained him for time.
He was but putting pen to paper,
when he was greeted by q fellow jour-
nalist, who presently introduced Mr..
Lamb to man sitting near-a man
whose name stands historic in the
records of the state. whose position and
great wealth might have commanded
the younger mans attention. Beyond
these. his interests had been won by
the mellow wisdom and gentle shrewd-
ness of this quiet, kindly potcntate,
who, as per the Pacific potentate's die
tum, 'owncd half county"
Even, now. despite the vital interest
of the lines he was writing, Mr.. Lamb
found his mind and his eyes straying
toward his neighbour. The fine, small
head, venerable with it's scant white
hair and flowing gray beard. was in
relief against the wall, that threw up
all its wholesome freshness and calm
benevolence. Mr.. Lamb found sort
of fascination in this contemplation
and divided his attention equally be-
tween the gentleman and the letter.
AS he folded the sheet he lifted his
eyes toward the general stair case;
coming down from the floor above was
the woman he was addressing.
Self-possesscd and easily poised, she
came towards him with tho old free
step and the old impenetrable chal-
lengc on her brow and lip-a little
warmer of tint, II little brighter of eye
than when they parted. 1t was only
when she had come very close to him
that he noticed the exceeding richness
of her attire, worn with the same care
lessness rs the old-time flannel.
''She docs not become fine raimentn
his thought exulted, land yet she
would not seem enCln,dncte in cloth of
gold"
She paused beside his chair and look
ed straight into his kindiing, deep blue
eyes with her own unwavering gaze.
ITO think | meet you here!' he said;
81 was sending you n letter to Ell Par
aiso-see! Take tread it now! H.
coherent as it is, it will speak as my
lips cannot"
ale put the paper into her reluctant
hand.
Il had better not read it, l think"
she said, gently; "let me explain
first"
"Read!' he said, almost fiercelv, and
she slowly read down the page:
at was year since | had heard one word
of you. (the letter ran, with that abrupt be-
ginning which signifies absolute absorption
when Ledyard, writing, mentioned casual
ly that when passing through FL ParaiSo he
had met you. The next day | started West
again. l an here, but l don't go farther
until l send in advance my explanation-not
an excuse, mnd-for what seemed cruel
and cowardly retreat when we parted out
yOnder-you remember the bleak and hope
less day. The fight l fought that after
noon has disabled me ever since, but it has
also strengthened me. Can you understand
that? No; no woman can understand what
IL meant to have you before my eyes, within
reach OF my arms, anu TO leave you. L had
q letter from her in my hand that day and
burned it in your cedar fire when thought
to do you that wrong. But the look on yeur
face drove back my words, thank God! and
L can offer YOU now guiltleSS future, for
the woman who was my wife is dead. i am
following this letter tomorrow.
Faithfully, yours,
EDWARD LAMB"
She had grown very pale. She look
ed up with gasp, one hand on her
heart. Before Mr.. Lamb could speak,
could touch her, the gray-haired man
he had been watching had come to her
side.
what is it Madelon?"
No voice of youth ever held half the
tenderness of that old mans tone.
She made brave attempt to smile
In reinsurance.
at was foolish-I am little nerv-
GUS to-day, perhaps-and-Mr. Lamb
has given me in this letter bad news of
an old friend. / will go away and rest
little from the shock. But first let
me introduce-what, Mr.. Lambp-have
you already met-my husbandP"