Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-05-13
Calls aud Sketfhes.
If MI FIRST WIFE
Continued from yesterday

| these every night curing nis slas. an'
again on his way back to London, ate
doubling the time of his visit, and evel
then bis brother-in-law being half offend
ed because he would not. as Audas said
make it a few more days"
..If nv first wife had been alive! /
nv first wife had been aliver' the very
beat of the train seemed to pour thost
words in Frank Reston's ears as he spec
soutb. and thought over the matrimonial
situation at the Coppices.
"Poor little Lesby! He'll break hel
heart he said to himself. IL dom
wonder at it. She feels jealousy misera
BILE about that first wife. wish now
had spoken to Jack"
| mo. don't,u he said after little
more thinking, lit would not have beer
WISE"
"Perhaps something may happen tt
bring him to his Senses" he said, aftei
another pause; something always does
happen" :,
reached town.
Frank Reston sat in his dIngy room
hard at work over brief-not his first
but these documents were sufficiently rare
yisitants to make him study those which
came, with the most intense application.
Probably from desire that the deep
truths that he CLEANED from the carefully
written folios before him should not es-
cane after being once taken into his head,
the young barrister was resting his brow
upon his hands, his elbows were upon the
table. and his thumbs were over his ears,
while. as from time TO time he read few
words out aloud, it seemed in the obscure
ty. or the semi-obscurity of the gloomy
room, as if he were addressing himself to
a venerable gentleman on the other side
of the room, till more penetrating look
showed that the said venerable gentleman
was only the young barrister's wig block
with the time -honored grizzled head-gear,
which betokened the regular wearer's po-
sition in court.
"Gentleman to see you, sir, said his
clerk, entering the room.
"Name ?" said Frank, laconically
Wouldn't give no name, sir. Must
see you directly, sir"
"Hulloi" exclaimed the barrister, as a
we'll muffled up traveller forced his way
IN, bag in hand
Hush only me; send away your
clerk
Frank Reston nodded at his wondering
aid, who left the room.
why. my dear John, what is the mat
ter! Lesby'
.Oh, she's all right; God bless her !"
cried Andas, throwing himself into a
chair. and gazing wildly, with bland, ca
daverous face, at his brother-in.law.
Give me something for heavens sake
brandy-wine-i'm done up."
Reston opened a cupboard, brought out
his spirit stand. and Audas hastily gulped
down glass of spirit, returning the glass
to the table with trembling hand.
"Why, John, old fellow" said Reston,
what is it ?"
.'I'll-I'll tell you directly. l hardly
dare but. oh, Frank l swear to you l did
it in all innocently. Oh. my poor darling |!
my poor darling Don't blame me, Frank
| swear to you believed it ALL"
Here here come, come old fellow
Don't give way like this. Why, hang it.
man, what is itp You look as if you had
committed crime"
81 have Frank, | have and against the
dearest, the sweetest girl that ever blessed
man with tender love-
"Why, John Audas." said Rested fierce.
", 'if You have dared to raise your hand
against my sister,
RAISED my hand against her!" cried
Audas, in tones of whitening contempt.
"Whv, would sooner hew it off !"
"Then what the deuce is the meaning of
all this You haven't been such fool as
to take shares in gold mineP''
"Bah don't be absurd"
"What is it thenp Crimep What do
you mean eh
Read that" cried Audas, tearing his
pocketbook from his breast with trembling
hands, opening it and producing one Of
those dirty. discolored pieces of paper
which paternal government considers
good enough for the transcription of tel
egram.
"Eh why, what's this said Reston
reading. From Grace Audas, Ultrema-
rine hotel, Folkestone; to John Audas,
The Coppicess, Calkston, Calkshire.
Come to me at once. Our boat drifted to
an island. Very i'll.
John Audas wiped the great drops of
perspiration from his forhead.
well, but" began Reston, in puzzled
tones
IL believed she was dead, Frank. On
my soul believed she was"
"And on the strength of that. sir. you
have won sweet young girls affection,
and committed bigamy."
"Yes. yes" groaned Audas. "And
was so happy"
you scoundrel cried Reston fiercely.
Don't for Gods sake, don't turn upon
me like that, Frank
There is one comfort" continued the
young barrister. "the law can be pretty
hard upon villain who blights young
girls life IN such a way as this; and the
punishment"
Curse the punishment! I'd 60 through
fourteen years penal servitude with pleas
ure if it would spare my poor darling
pain"
"Then she doesn't know it yetp'
"Know it I? OF course not. could no
tell her." groaned Audas.
"And pray what do you intend to do !
OF course the only thing is for you tc
make my poor sister a very large settle
ment. But shall insist upon that. II
go and fetch her away at once"
What and separate us, Frank No
no, for heavens sake, don't think of that
As for money. all | have is hers-bles.
her; but We must not part. Frank
swear to you, that if you take her away
I'll blow my brains out at the hotel"
s'Humph! wouldn't do that" sale
Reston roplfv sRnt narhanS you havs