Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1886-02-24
and bring her hack with me. I must,
10 help her begin anew. Z
GU know where she lisp

the storm?''
"Storm?' said Gertrude, ironically.
''What else will my life be until her
wrongs are righted?'
She left on the o'clock train. I
went about with her and tried to help
her . little, though there was not much
for me to do.
During the next three or four days I
often thought of my absent friend, won
dering what she had accomplished, if
anything-if she had found her unfor-
tunate sister, and just how bad matters
really were.
On the sixth day I sat writing by my
window in the sunlight; we were hav-
ing fair weather once again, clear,
delicious atmosphere for August days.
The door of my room stood slightly
ajar, and as sat writing there, some
one pushed it wide open and came
through.
CHANGING around, I gave an exclama-
ton of pleased surprise.
''Gertrude!''
She had an excited, almost wild, ex-
preston.
Il am back" she said, land I have
brought her."
"Sit down, sit down." 1 interrupted,
land tell me about it. I am so glad
so relieved at last
Il have brought her," she repeated.
''And now have two objects in life
to DE kind to Bessie and to hunt down
the wretch that had deceived her.
She trem Died with excitement, and
her face grew pale as death.
cit will not be a pleasant hour for
him when we come face to face, the
villain! I knew he had deceived her.
Thank God! I knew that she was pure
at heart. My poor, crushed Bessie!''
"A mock marriage?' ventured.
''Oh. worse, worse!' She was up
now and walked the room impatiently.
Where shall I find you?' ] asked
presently. II suppose l can come and
see you. Bessie need not know / know
her trouble
"Oh, it would not matter; she is far
too crushed to care. Why,
she loved the scoundrel!'
''Yes,' assented, II supposed as
much"
Shortly after Gertrude went away.
did not call upon her the followin g
day, as I had intended, nor, indeed,
for several days. Various complica-
tons of my own affairs engrossed and
annoyed me. Then l found had mis-
laid the street number she had given
me. And 80 it happened that week
had elapsed, when one morning 1 set
out for her boarding house.
A. l. r - Il. l.
although I have seen reany exciting
days in my life and expect to see many
more.
1t was clear, cool morning, with
heavenly sunlight over all. The occa-
sional late rains had washed all the
dust aud disagreeable sickness from
the atmosphere. TWAS morning to
inspire one, to Tighten ones footsteps,
to give one winged, buoyant sensa-
ton.
And yet, as left the horse cars and
turned down the street toward Ger
trude Haskell s lodgings, l felt eight
of dread or premonition settling upon
me. almost paused to turn away
and not enter the house. But after a
moment / threw off the feeling and
rang the bell.
Gertrude came down to the parlor.
II want to tell you a thing or two
before we 60 up stairs she said. Bes-
sic is doing. She is very much pros
trated.''
She sat down close by me and touch
ed my hand occasionally; her own I
felt to be cold as ice. Her face was
flushed and her eyes shone feverlsh]y.
She was terribly excited
Il want to tell you,' she continued,
''that he is coming here this morning.
l have been on his track ever since; I
have tracked him to this city. He is a
travelling man, and naturally enough
has come to this city. He does not
dream that she is here-that l am her
sister. She was known out West as
Bessie Dean; Aunt Hester insisted on
it. have thrown him off his guard.
And now he will come face to face with
her and
"And them" I asked.
''He shall make reparation,' said
Gertrude, calming herself with won
now. Remember, Bessie knows moth
ing. I have kept all from her,
We climbed the many steps of stairs
to the fourth story. The house was
new and tall, one of those handsome
affairs that the city pushes out day by
day toward the north. We went in
softly. Bessie lay by the front window
on a sofa; one little hand was under
the pretty, worn face with the frame OF
soft brown curls. Our entrance aroused
her. She opened her eyes and smiled
family.
There was no evil in that smile. My
heart went out to her.
| They had two rooms, little parlo1
and still smaller connecting bed
room.
We were hardly seated when a knock
at the door and the manner in which
Gertrude started to her feet sent
the blood leaping through my vains in
furious way.
"Let him come up" I knew Ger
trude was answering quietly, and few
words in a lower tone. Then to he1
sister, 'Lie still, Bessie, it is nothing
| Strong as my nerves are, much as
have passed through, could not help
trembling and turning pale. I left my
seat and looked imploringly at Gertrude
who stood by the door.
She motioned to the bedroom, and
stepped quickly out of sight behind a
homely crctonne portierc.
| held my breath as footsteps came
on the staircase. l could hear my own
heart beating loudly. = Then
a mans voice in formal salution.
Then a plaintive, pitious, wailing
sound from Bessie's lips, the one word
-"Basil!'
The door shut with sudden force;
heard a clicking sound and knew that
some one had locked it. I pushed
aside the portiere and looked out.
At q glance l read the man who
stood there, abashed, irresolute. Weak,
evil. yet perhaps not too evil for re-
clamation. Well dressed, rather good
looking, on the whole, outwardly re-
spectacle.
Above the low sobs of Bessie, who