The Sunday tatler and Jersey City express. (Jersey City, N.J.) 1883-1886, 1886-01-24
LOTT / E

When Lottie Grey, having the choice be
tween steady, sensible Charles Handel and
his cratic brother Jim, chose the latter,
many people thought that she had taken
leave of her senses. Some girls, it is true.
saw well enough that Jim's eyes were
blacker and brighter his step lighter in
the dance; his way the way that charms
young heart most But no one expected
any domestic bliss for her, and when, con-
trary 10 all prophcses, he settled down to
the farm aud quite forsook the tavern, the
general remark was that of course ii could
NOT last long.
Again, however, the prophets failed to
prove themselves true ones, for there seem
ed to be no change. The farm prospered
Lottle seemed happy; children came and
throve; and after while the GOODNESS that
had existed between the two brothers pass
ed away, and the bachelor doctor took the
uncle's part in the little household. Now
and then, II Is true. some woman who
prided herself on her sagacity in affairs of
the heart. declared that Charles was as
much in love with Lottie as ever, but no
man ever agreed with her.
Indeed, his profession seemed 10 absorb
the young doctor altogether. in their ewes.
and anything like love seemed to be en-
tirely out Of his way.
1t was when the eldest bow was nearly
ten years old. aud there were Two little
girls besides of seven and three, as well as
baby, that James Handel one morning
declared his intention of buying certain
piece of ground that adjoined his farm.
He had talked the matter over with the
owner, had settled upon the price, which
was two thousand dollars He had the
money in the bauk IN town, aud that day
he declared he would draw it and settle
the affair. With this intention he dressed
himself in better garments than those he
usually wore while at work, and set out
on horseback soon after breakfast.
Before he went he kissed his wife and
the children all around and promised to
bring the latter something from the store.
1t was only natural that he should make
days holiday of his journey, ami though
he promised TO return TO dinner Lottie did
not actually expect him; but when even
ing came, and the tea, which had waited
for him an hour, was over, and the sun
was setting, and the children stood peep
ing through the garden paIings watching
the road, and casting her eye along it, Mrs
Handel saw nothing Of the brown horse
aud its rider, she grew suddenly very
serious and was troubled nv a fancy thnt
she should have been more anxious about
her husband; that it was not even quite
loving and wifely not to have wondered
at his absence.
AL the same time she knew that she was
not anxious, but that sadness had Sc tied
upon her like that which falls ,Inon neo-
pie in the house of death wLen ali is over.
and there is nothing 10 be feared. or hoped.
or DONE
She tried to shake the feeling off. hut if
would not leave her. She found herself
going about her work softly. and snealyino
In hushed manner. When in a little
while she called her children into tue house
and put them to bed. she could not smile
at their pranks as usual. and had no nrom
Uses of their fathers speedv return 10 Give
them: and when homes Of doll and marbles
and wagon had quite deserted them and
they were all asleep. she went down into
her kitchen, and sitting on the doorsill hid
her face in her hands. without The sligbtest
hope of her husbands return ia her heart
She sat for long time quite alone. The
faint rays of sunset faded. TWILIGHT died
out and the moon arose. The light fell
over her. and made her. with her fair hair
and skin. in her light dress look more
like a statue than living woman.
Suddenly voice cried IN her ear: .sWhv.
Lottie, is ANYTHING the matter % And
looking up, she saw her brother in-law
Charles Handel. leaning over the gate. as
il the moonlight. or are YOU really SO male p
he added And ito her ewes he looked
very pale himself.
She arose then. and stood witt, her hands
folded loosely and helplessly together IN !
way quite unusual to her.
Jim is not home vet" she said ssIt is
as though" she began. and stoned
"Well?" said he.
81 can't tell you" she said. "If he Law
dead in that room there suppose should
feel Just so !"
elhere is nothing the matter with Jim. p
said his brother. Il saw him few hours
ago. He had been to the bank and had
drawn the money for his land. He is
making day of ID, that's all. And if he
has not altered entirely he may come home
to you not quite sober. jim used to 90
on good many sprees in the old times. /
never quite believed he had settled down
as entirely as he seemed to have done.
Perhaps, though, it would not be quite
safe tonight with SO much money about
him. I'll go and hunt him UP.
Then Dr. Handel went away ard Lottie
sat down again. The moon set: the night
grew dark; the rising wind moaned about
the house-slill no well known step came
mp the little pa h
When the gray dawn broke she sat upon
the threshold still, and knew that her
forebodiDgs had been true.
By this time neighbors had learned what
had happened, and some came TO her.
Her husbands horse had been found fast
ened in the wood, and there were foot
steps on the ground that seemed to
indicate struggle. at the tavern he had
been seen drinking good deal, and ex-
hibiting his money, A rough looking
stranger had been seen 10 follow him #
was now. remembered
No one doubted that he would be found
murdered in the woods hard bv: but
though search was made, it was u wear
before some one telling trees at some dist
ance from the spot where James Handlers
horse had been tied, found a dead BODY
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