The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1885-10-02

lcate chtrography, and ! ielt IL II q
thunder-bolt had broken around me.
After moment g blank wonderment
and strange, bewildering pain, I put
the sheet in my pocket and quietly
continued my way. Such u food OF
emotion was stirred within that
summoneda superficial calmness from
an instinct of Representation.
was conscious Of one predominant
feeling as l went to the city-hatred
against my wife for her duplicity.
must have looked wretchedly when 1
reached the Office, but my partner was
too much excited to notice it.
knowles" heexclaimed, "there was
terrible fire in Philadelphia last
night, and our branch house is burned
to the ground. Here is a dispatch from
Weiss. He wants you to come on inn
mediately."
In two hours was on my way ia
Philadelphia.
There was much to do to restore our
! interests, and lent myself to the work
with all my energies. 1t was the best
thing that could have happened to
me. 1t gave me no more time to think
of Lucie.
Iwrote her once, telling her very
briefly that l should not be at home
for month. 1t was six weeks before
again arrived at Daphne Dell. The
maid was washing the hall.
Chow do you do, Dorcas? How is
Mrs. Knowles?"
Every comfortable. l think she is
sleeping now, sir"
Somewhat bewildered by this reply
went into the sitting~room. No sign
of Lucie or of her work. l mounted
to the chamber and quietly opened
the door.
The room was darkened. Lucie was
sitting up in bed nursing the infant.
Sweetly and calmly she extended her
hand to me. went to her-I put my
arms about her-I kissed her. Icould
not help it, for felt that the child up
OH her bosom was my own. The
nurse came in, took the infant from
her, and babe her lie down to rest.
She was very weak. Icannot ex-
press my contending feelings as
watched her fragile face upon the pill
low.
Slowly she gained strength. It was
midsummer before she was about the
house again. The little one had been
prematurely born, but it throve, and
the mothers health was finally re-
stored.
Twas rejoiced ut this. 1 should
have been perfectly happy but for the
letter. The memory OF it was like an
ugly devil that Knocked me.
One day us Lucie sat tending her
child in IL low chair by the window I
laid the sheet before her. I had fixed
my eyes upon her face, and saw n slow
surprise dawn upon it.
"Where did you find this, Will? 1
lost it months ago"
"Under the orchard wall. What
does it mean, Lucie?"
"Well,"a slight blush. "you have
found me out. It's leaf from a story
Twas writing"
''And Percy"
"Was the hero. The sheet must
have blown out the window that rainy
night last spring. You see, dear,
l didn't like to tell you, because
l thought you wouldn't like to
have literary wife, but l had been
accustomed to writing stories some
times, and when l knew baby was
coming Thought would earn the mon
ey myself for the embroidered flannel
and cambria dresses. l knew you
needed every cent i'll your business.
had to rcwrite this letter for my TO.
NANCE" she continued, "and didn't
get it quite the same" examining the
sheet.
! Hooked at her sweet face for a mo-
mo md <1,n,, f,O1
beside her. / confessed all. Slow
amazement dawned in her counte-
nance. At length her soft eyes filed
with tears. She drew my face down
to her bosom where the little baby was
slunlbering. jt.
"Another lover?" she murmured.
"Why, Will, nobody but you ever low.
ed me i'll all my life!"
Then, again, knew that she was
once more my Lucie!