Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-08-07

she2 Certainly not the one | expect
ed to find--my wife was short, she was
tall one was decided blonde, the
other brunette.
is this Mr.. Frank Jordon," | ask
ed.
THAT is my name" answered the
gentleman, for such he appeared to
be, looking at me with scarcely con-
cealed surprise.
Can you tell me anything of my
wifeG 1 said, in which must admit,
was a very hesitating and doubtful
tone.
"Your wifeY answered the gentle
man, why, who are your
Noticing that the lady companion OF
Jordan was listening to the strange
conversation and gazing upon us
both with establishment,
BEGGED PRIVATE INTERVIEW
for a few moments Mr.. Jordon look
ed at his wife, for such / afterward
sscertained her to be, assented to my
request AID we stepped into private
room leading into the parlor. then
told him my story and the suspicious
which had made me take this long
Journey in pursuit, as | supposed. OF
a fleeing wife and her betrayer. Jor-
don listened TO ME with the most pro-
found astonishment, mixed at times,
as | thought with anger. At the close
of my story he said, Listen, and l
will prove to you that you have gross
Iv injured one of the best and truest
women that ever lived. Your wife
is my only sister. When a very
Young man | was somewhat dis3ipat-
ed and mingled with some rather
fast young men. In a brawl one
evening a murder was committed.
Who fired the fatal shot was never
discovered so far as know. The aw-
full tragedy sobered me instantly, and
realizing my danger,
FLED FROM HOME
and embarked on vessel bound on
q long voyage to the East Indies. In
Calcutta / became acquainted with a
beautiful English girl, and on re-
turn visit, married her. Meanwhile
nv only communication with home
was through my darling sister, your
wife, through whom at first received
frequent remittances to enable me to
travel. Shortly after my marriage,
nv wife, who was an orphan, recelv-
ed a letter announcing that by the
death of an aunt she had become heir
to quite a handsome property. We
made preparations at once and came
to England, and had no difficulty in
obtaining possession of the property,
which this house and grounds form a
portion. After some years of haPpl-
ness an uncomfortable desire to res
visit the home OF my youth possessed
me and my wife, and | departed for
nv native land. A cautious inquiry,
madec hiefy by my wife, to whom |
had told all of past my life and CON
fessed my participation in the crime
of years before, developed the fact
that the
TRAGEDY HAD BEEN ALMOST FORGOT
TEN,
and that my parents were both dead
and my only sister married to gem
tleman interested in mining IN Colo
RADIO, and that they were living IN Den
yer. Having plenty Of means and
leisure we concluded TO prolong our
trip and afterward complete the circuit
of the world Upon aseertaining your
address in the city | visited my sister
during your absence, feeling very
doubtful of my reception at your
hands. Your sister repeatedly urged
me to sec you, but | not on refused
but pledged her to secrecy as TO ny
presence. Upon the last day OF our
STAY in Denver persuaded her to visit
my wife at the Windsor, and take dln~
ner with us, AS you were expected to
be absent until the next day she &C =
cepted the invitation. Upon bidding
us good by, she remarked that she
would probably spend the night with
n lady who is relative of yours, as
II was so lonely at home during your
many absences. 1t is only IN this
way that | can
ACCOUNT FOR HER DISAPPEARANCE
as you suppose at the time of my de
parture.'
At the conclusion of Mr.. Jord9n' s
story the utter breadth of my rash
and foolish conclusions nearly over
whelmedIme with shame and remorse.
What would my wife say2 What
would she think2 There was but one
thing to do, however, and that was to
return home by the shortest route. |
left Jordon's beautiful villa the mex t
day and in twenty-four hours was on
the broad waters of the Atlantic go>
ing home. Upon arriving at New
York ! took the first train for the
West. When the train arrived near
the Colorado line washout had de
stroyed the bridge. and the locomo.
tive and coaches plunged into the alb
yss. Hearing the sharp, sudden whis-
tie of the locomotive | reached the
platform of the car, in time to be
CAUGHT IN SOME HEAVY TIMERS
as the car toppled over the embank>
ment. lay there for time that was
seemingly ages, held as with tne grip
of a vice by two heavy timbers that
pressed cruelty across my chest.
Presently | became insenslble and
knew no more until found myself in
bed in long room where some quiet
women were moving to and fro. Then
| heard some conversation that at
tracted my attention. One of the
women whispered: There is lady
who insists upon seeing him.
I don't know, it would be some~
what dangerous, but who IS she2
She says she is his wife. | guess
we will risk it then In few min
utes although l had my eyes CLOSED
some subtle instinct Told me that my
wife was present.. Oh the yearning
which swelled in my heart to see her
dear face, yet | must confess that,
coward as | was, l dare not open my
eyes. Pretty soon. however, l fvlt a
soft hand upon my forhead, then the
sound OF sobS and
A TEAR DROP FELL UPON MY FACE.
[ could withstand my emotion no
longer. but with a convulsiye moves
ment reached up my arms and Rugged
the dear form TO my breast | was
not allowed to talk much the first day,
but before l was able to be removed
the whole pitful story was told and l
WAS forgiven. 1t was months before |
was entirely recovered, after which |
accepted a contract for building a
Smelter in Japan. where they have
mines OF considerable extent. After
two years in that strange country my
wife expressed desire to revisit her
old home, and we are nov on our