McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1885-02-12
UNDECEIVED.

Augustine Powers had never felt the
fatigue caused by labor nor the hard
ship and suffering entailed by poverty;
and one would be quite sure, to see
her as she sat listlessly before the
piano in her rich and tastefully furn-
ished apartments, that the thoughts of
woe and misery never found even a
transient place in her breast. But al
though young and beautiful, and
possessed of every luxury which money
could purchase or a refined taste could
contribute, she imposed upon herself
the duty of helping bear the burdens
of her sex who were less fortunate than
she, by providing each day for the
wants of some unhappy creature. For
this purpose her trusty servant Peter
was sent out every evening to investl-
gate the condition of such as were re-
ceiving her assistance or to recover
new objects for her generosity. At
the time she is brought to our notice,
her attitude indicates that she has
been indulging in one of those harm
less reverieS called "day dreams. "
Her thoughts seem TO wander far
away from her surroundings, and even
the crumpled letter which she holds
in her hand has apparently ceased to
excite her emotion. The reader may,
however, glance at this letter. 1t was
written in plain, schoolgirl hand,
and ran thus:
My KIND FRIEND: The trouble you
have already taken in my behalf causes
me TO hesitate before acquainting you
with what has produced my greatest
anxiety but as you requested me to
notify you in case anything occurred,
and as YOU are my on y friend in
whom | can confide, [ feel it my duty
to comply. The man who has so
greatly wronged me, and at whose
door l lay all my misery and degrade
ton passed the house. where am liv-
ing this morning. He has certainly
discovered my whereabouts, for he
looked very hard at the windows, and
will, / fear, use every means to frus-
trate my intentions. Had he never
treated me so cruelty, and then left
me to die alone, could still endure
him for, Notwithstanding all the dis
tress he has caused, the vision of hap
py moments still haunts the vacant
chambers of my heart. What his OBJ
ject may be in seeking me out can
not say. He may fear l will discover
his true name, for / am sure he made
use of fictitious one, and disclose his
base conduct, but this will never do.
If l could only 60 away from here, l
think 1 would be happy, but 1 am so
weak that l can scarcely move.
What shall [ do? Cannot you, my
good friend, advise me? l am SO en-
L Ii frs
MARY.
Miss Powers had read this letter an
hour or so previous to our introduce
ton to her, but now she seemed to
have lost all interest in its contents.
Presently servent entered bearing
a card which he handed to his mis-
tress. .sAh, Mr. Waltser," she NUT
tered half aloud; ''show him in, Will
liam.'' A moment later Mr.. Waltser
was ushered into the room. His ap-
pearance was that of a man about six
and twenty, not over handsome, but
with face filed with intelligence and
a tall, we'll proportioned frame. AS his
ewes met those of Miss Powers his
countenance plainly told the admira-
ton with which he regarded her. All
his inmost soul seemed expressed in
that one look. 81 have brought you, !"
he said, after moments pause,
.ssome money your father requested
me to hand YOU. He also wished me
to ask, now that Peter is ill, if could
be of any assistance by accompanying
YOU on your visit to that poor girl OF
whom. you spoke to him this morn
ingP"
Glow thoughtful papa is" inter
rupted the girl; land | am sure it is
yery kind of you, Mr.. Waltser, to con-
sent to render me such service. l am
quite certain you did not understand
this was to be part of your duty when
YOU entered the banking house OF Pow
ers. Farlow & Co."
The Young man was about TO make
some remark expressing his willing
ness to undertake the mission with SC
agreeable companion, when he was
interrupted by the entrance of a serv-
ant bearing the card of Mr.. Nathan
Farlow, MIR. Powers partner in bust.
ness.
Good afternoon, Miss Powers" eX-
claimed that gentleman moment later.
81 am indeed happy to see you look
so mucn Dettef thdD you WOlO .coIci'
dav. All! good afternoon, Mr.. Walt,
SER for the first time CHANGING in the
direction of his employe, '.you have
left tae office rather early this after
noon"
at was to deliver message from
y Mr.. Powers, exclaimed the clerk.
Yes" added Miss Powers, ''Mr
WSltser has come to offer me his ser
vices by accompanying me on visit
-. of mercy this afternoon.
"Ahr' and Nathan Farlow's face
lost its pleasant expression. Il should
like to offer my assistance if L could
hope to gain that confidence which
Mr.. Waltser seems to have inspired. ,
"Why, Nathan!' exclaimed Mis-!
Powers, 81 always imagined yor
would much rather be at your clut