Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1886-06-05

from the dying spots Of scarlet on her
cheek, to the silken train which swept
the floor in its purity, and the orange
flowers she had fastened in her breast
Yes, she knew him now. It was John
come home to claim her. His voice was
hoarse when he spoke.
81 came for my BRIDE" he said. "Is
she here? Is this dress for me?"
"Have pity" she walled, in answer.
1.-TWO years were such long while. For
six months had not heard. 1 thought
you were dead, or had forgotten me-"
'Men do not forgot" he answered.
I'VE leave that to the women who undo
us. Six months! And it seemd to
you long time to wait. Child, do you
kn,w what 1 have endured for the
reward of this moment? What was
hunger, toll, privation, home sickness to
me? 1 almost welcomed them, for ever
behind them was the thought that all
were for you. for the dav which was
slowly creeping on, when 1 might stand
before You and say, Alice, l have
proved my love with price. You may
accept it darling, without fear. I. has
been purified through fire. And when
six months ago, my browning sueoe 8
came, l started in search of You; but
the long hardships mad done their work,
For months 1 was at deaths door
unable to write, or to let others write.
Then as 1 grew stronger, satd, Il will
wait until 1 csn go to her. You were
sheltered, cared for, happy. l am the
man who toiled all his life in search of a
glittering diamond and when at length
he picked it up in triumph, discovered
it to be piece of shining glass"
''John, John forgive me !" she plead
ed, clinging with both hands to his arm,
her face upturned in its pale beauty to
his. Il loved you then. Believe ME, 1
loved you then"
Through the open window stole her
words, paralyzing the form of an unseen
listener, who had that moment appeared
upon the scene. What did it mean?
He heard not the mans answering
words '.Forgive you? Never r'-but
saw only his last mad, passionate en-
brace as he snatched her unresisting form
in his arms, and covered her face with
kisses, which seemed half hatred and half
love; then released her and went out into
the night.
The next day little note was put in
to John MaxwelIs hand; and, as he tore
it open, the strong man trembled like a
child.
He had grown calmer since the night
previous, though all the Joy and light
ness had died out of his heart.
"You have had your revenge" she
wrote. ''The man was to marry saw
you take me in your arms, and heard
me say that / had loved you. Perhaps
1 deserved my punishment, but it is very
bitter. You left me two years. If you
had loved me you would not have done
SO. was child, and forgot you, and
learned to love another. I no longer ask
you to forgive, since you have wreaked
upon me your revenge"
His own life stretched bare, and blank
and desolate before him. For a moment
he felt wild JOY that SO hers might
prove. The next, after brief struggle,
his manhood conquered.
His revenge should be something
nobler than girls wrecked life-some-
thing which, after long and lonely years
he might recall withouta blush of shame.
Dent Dexter was alone in the cottage
he had prepared for his bride, sitting
with bowed head, when John Maxwell
sought him out. The interview between
them was very brief, but as they parted
their hands met in a long, silent clasp.
One man had given happiness-one had
renowned it. So the wedding day was
not postponed, but Alice's fingers trem-
bled as she again fastened her wedding
dress and tears dimmed her eyes as she
bent to fasten the orange blossoms in
her breast. She knew that Dent had
taken her back to his heart and home,
that somehow all had been explained to
him; but quite how it all happened she
never knew until, year later, her hus
band bent over her where she lay with
her baby boy sleeping on her brest, and
told her all the story, ending with a
proud glance at the child. "He gave us
our happiness, darling. We will name
our boy after the man who wrecked sach
a noble revenge"