McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1884-09-18

soon will be my son-I love Constance
devotedly. What was thatp Why, the
window is open. Shut it; we want no
eavesdroppers. -
Captain Hewett complied, but before
closing it, leant forth and looked
around. The colonel's wife had flown.
eff my fine lady would only COM
NIT herself" he thought. skate would
inherit the coloners wealth. 1t is
nothing he said aloud, resuming his
scat.
Trembling at her narrow escape, Mrs.
Harding fastened from the shrubbery.
Just as she emerged, she ran violently
against man.
Robert! Tell me. what are you do
ing here?"
'Ten thousand pardons! thought
''Never mind what you thought.
Why are you here? Quick goto the side
door. If in five minutes l call you,
come, if not, 60 away"
He raised her hand to his lips.
"How good you arer' he said. /
only came to say that l have prepared
everything for our flight on Friday
''Hush!' she answered, as she fled
from him.
Five minutes after, the side door
opened, white hand beckoned, and
soon the stranger was again seated,
with locked doors, in Mrs. Harding's
boudoir.
The next morning by no means to
the surprise of his wife, the colonel an
nOunced that business would take him
to London in the evening, and detain
him until late.
Mrs. Harding expressed her sorrow
at his departure, and begged him to
hasten back. Nevertheless, when she
was alone, she lighted the lamp in her
boudoir, then she retired to spare
bedchamber just above, from the win
dow of which she watched. An hour
and a half passed eventless, then a
mans shadow fitted among the trees.
cit is the captain" thought Mrs
Harding. 'He has selected his proper
sphere. The colonel was too noble for
it. Well, each shall have suitable re-
ward"
She waited. So did the captain.
Finally the latter, perhaps imagining
while he watched outside the bird he
would detect enjoying himself within,
cautiously drew near, and peered into
the window.
The temptation was irresistible, Mrs.
Harding noiselessly opened the lattice,
took up a jug of water standing near,
and flung out the contents.
There was muttered curse; but the
lattice was closed, and the lady's burst
of laughter smothered in her handker-
chief.
When, ten minutes after, Captain
Hewett looked in at the drawing room
window, from distance, as he, unob-
served, quilted the grounds, he beheld
Mrs. Harding and his future bride read
ing and working according to their
habit.
cit must have been a coufoundea
housemaid," he growled. "She couldn't
have seen me-"
He passed on to break in the boun-
Diary hedge, by which he quilted the
place and reached the main door.
Had he been quarter of an hour
later, he would surely have encountered
gentleman using the same means to
enter it. Quickly, but cautiously, he
made his way to a half decayed elm
tree, at the root of which grew ferns
and burdock. Slipping his hand be-
meath there, he drew out paper, on
which, by the aid of wax taper he
lighted, he read:
''Dearest:-At eight on Friday. The
colonel will be absent. All is pre-
pared
Pressing the fragment passionately to
his lips, the man placed reply in the
same place then withdrew.
1t was on the morning of the event.
full Friday that Colonel Harding entered
Captain Hewett's apartment at Rich
mond.
George he exclaimed, ''no man
was ever in greater perplexity than [.
For the last month have been engaged
to the Dunderbulls to dinner to-day.
This morning Constance declares
looking well and hearty-herself too
i'll to attend, but urges me to co.
"rll tell you what, colonel, if you
refuse you may only arouse her suspi-
cions. You had better, therefore, 60;
and I'll watch for you. Perhaps this
time something may be discovered
81 was thinking" began the colonel,
doubtfully, ''whether it would not be
best to ask Constance right down to the
truth"
absurd! If a woman will stoop to
deceive a husband, she will not hesitate
at falsehood."
'sThat is true. Well, George, let it
be as you say"
The colonel went to the dinner and
the gentlemen had long been left to
their wine, when footman whispered
to the officer he was wanted. Making
an excuse, he withdrew; and found the
captain in the hall.
"Come home,' said the latter; 81
must speak to you at once. -
The colonel, growing pale, followed
him into the road. ..-> -,
'.What is it?''
ssBear it like man, colonel" re-