The Cecil Whig., 1886-01-30

Mrs. Dauson head had sunk low
on her breast, her hands were tightly
clenched, her breath came in quick
short gasps.
81 said," she went on slowly and
steadily, that this is picture of Jarvis
Dauson, who was-who is my husband.
He is mine still, mine, mine, mine -
She fell on her knees with her head
on the cushion Of one of the chairs,
and sobbed aloud.
"Poor woman" said Mrs. Hodson,
tenderly, "she's out of her mind Pm
afraid"
81 am not ? cried Mrs. Dauson,
fiercely, springing suddenly to her feet
and grasping Mrs. Hodson by the
wrist.
II speak the truth, the whole shame
full, bitter truth. That is Jarvis Dauson' S
picture, and he is ny husband-mine
in the sight Of God-and rou and your
children are-God help us all God
help us ALL?
She walked to and fro, wringng her
hands and crying aloud. The children
were frightened and came crying to
their mother She knelt and soothed
them, saying softly;
''There, there, dearies the poor
lady is IN trouble she don't know what
she is doingor saying
., 81 wish that | did not cried Mrs.
Dauson "but | will stay here and see
this Mr.. Hodson, and he dare not tell
me that he is not Jarvis Dausor.
| tried to persuade her to come
away but she would not.
Il must sec him. | must see him,
she cried, rocking to and fro with her
thin hands over her face. "He is my
husband | must see him, if only for
moment. Then l will go away, if l
must. OF course, she said, ina calmer
tone, between her sobs, Il know one
of US must go. I'm trying to think to
think, to think =
She beat her gray head with her
clenched hands, and closed her stream
ing eyes.
"I-I-' she said, brokenly, after a
few moments, 81 know, of course, that
he can't belong to both of us, and sic
has children
She pointed her finger toward Mrs.
Hodson, who had withdrawn to a cor
ner, with her children around her. Her
face had grown deathly pale, as though
some conviction of the horrible truth
was forcing itselfupon her.
Jarvis was always so fond OF chill
dren,' Amanda went on, II suppose I'll
have to go home without him. You
won't mind my speaking to him once,
ma amp
Her manner had suddenly changed,
she had become almost seryie in ker
meekness.
II didn't know, of course that
The cabin door opened suddenly and
the man called Hodson came in.
Mrs. Hodson walked directly to him
and laid one hand on his shoulder.
She looked him steadily in the face and
and asked:
David Hodson, is your name Jarvis
Dauson, and did you have wife living
when you married me eight years ago,
and is that woman sitting there your
wife? One word, David, Will answer
every question
He glanced fearfully at Amanda, and,
looking into his wile's searching eyes
said slowly:
"Yes.'
She took her children and went with
out another word into an adjoining
room.
"Jmvis.'
Amanda's arms were outstretched
Her voice was pitiful in its tenderness
and entreaty.
"Manda, the man said, taking a
step forward. "I-I-'Mandy, l served
divorce papers in Iowa, and Il
thought you must be dead. H.
She went to him she put her arms
around his neck; she kissed his
bronzed and bearded cheek.
81 believe you, Jarvis and, O Jar
Wis, Jarvis =
She fell faintjng at his feet, with hel
hands clasped over her heart. He
helped me carry her to bed in cor,
ner Of the room.
When she revived she gently took
one of Jarvis hands and held it in hel
own, stroking it tenderly and looking
up into his eyes with smile on hel
own white fate.
| Jarvis suddenly fell on his knee:
and buried his face in the bed clothes
sobbing and moaning.
There, there, Jarvis; never mind
Don't feel 50 bad, don't" said Aman
da feebly. II amt going to be any
trouble to you, Jarvis. The best thing
that could happen is going to hap.
pen. | feel it coming over me. The
way is clear out of this trouble We
are all in. | wont bother YOU any
for I'm going away, Jarvis.
wish you would call your our
please call Susan in.
| | stepped to the door and said
Come in, please; she wants YOU
She came instantly, the childrel
following her.
Il Jest wanted to say to yor,' salc
| Amanda, ''that Pm real sorry for tkt