Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1888-07-28

formed her that there were TN
gentlemen acquaintance in the parlor
desiring to see her. As this was no nm
usual occurrence, she repaired at once
to receive them. As she entered the
parlor, she was confronted by the per-
sonages of George Erwald and Phillip
Veroy. She instantly recognized them.
and her surprise was SO astounding that
she reeled and would have fallen had
she not been timely supported. Gazing
wildly around, and with emotions ex.
presslve OF her surprise, she exclaimed:
"Ah! is this an illusions mere fancy
of the brain? Do really behold those
whom thought so long dead? Speak!
That l may know whether I am realiz-
ing or dreaming!"
lis no illusion, dear Louise, but q
happy reality" said Veroy, taking her
hand and seating himself beside her.
She at the same time extending her
other hand to Erwald and drew him to q
seat at her side.
pray, tell me-" she said eagerly,
show you escaped the perils of that
eveptful day."
II, said Veroy, @was borne by the
waves on piece of timber over the
breakers into smoother waters where I
was better able to hold on to my buoy,
which 1 succeeded in doing till rescued
by passing vessel, bound to Brazil,
whittier I was conveyed. And believ-
ing you dead, I remained there q dis
consulate wanderer, until recently learn
ing that you were yet among the living,
returned to New York, from whence
I have come to regain you, my beloved
the wife of my youth"
Then with eager gaze she turned to
George, and asked:
"And how did you escape? For I re-
member seeing you overpowered by the
waves, and carried away. Oh, how dis
NAL and solitary felt Tongue cannot
express the horror of my soul at that
moment when I found all but myself
were gone"
"My escape" answered George, "was
certainly providential; for was thrown
by the waves upon fragment of the
wreck, in an insensible state, and was
L
at length borne beyond the breakers into
open sea, from whence, two days after
ward, I was taken up by steamer on
its way to Europe, whittier I was borne,
and, as my friend here did, supposing
you dead, and knowing you had been
welded to another, but being dear
friend of my youth, of course I felt dis
consolidated and did not care to return. I
remained there until recently,
when I returned to Boston. Since ar
irving here, I learned that you were still
living, and so came to congratulate you
on your escape"
"Ah, gentlemen" said Louise, solemn1y,
@you are both still mistaken in part,
for though I am living, I am not
welded. In that dreadful scene our
hearts were unveiled; and it was shown
that hearts that had been ceremonially
united were not so truly"
Then turning to Veroy, she con-
tinued:
"Ah! Mr.. Veroy, when you learned
that still lived, did you not ask your
self by what means was saved? Know
ing, as you did, that the hand pledged
me as my shield and support, was the
same as thrust me into the jaws of death,
as it were, when struggling to gain
your protection. All! Mr.. Veroy, I can
never forget that unkind, that inhuman
act. had cruelty spurned the object
of my earlier affections, and given my
self into your keeping, and when an
hour that tries mems souls came, you to
save yourself thrust me off. A kind
wave, as if to convince me of the error
I had committed, carried me on its
foaming bosom to the true one, who
gave me his only chance for life, and |
devotedly consigned himself to the
waves to do battle with death in my
stead. Thus was I saved. But, as I,
too, am guilty Of cruelty, and hope for
forgiveness of him I have so deeply |
wronged, I forgive you; and as I have
long since been divorced from you, and |
am therefore no longer yours, I hope |
you will never more trouble me with |
your presence. I now bid you final
adieu.' Saying this, she motioned him
toward the door.
Veroy, conscious of having acted .
dastardly part, and perhaps expecting |
some reproof, was astonished and dis
concerted at this sweeping and imper-
alive rebuke. Without attempting any
reply, he seized his hat and gloves, and
with detected mein, hastily withdrew.
Louise now turned to George, and
with unfeigned sincerity returned her
thanks for the generous part he had
shown her, and besought his forgive
ness for her former unkindness.
Il will forgive and forget on one con-
sideration only" said George, happily.
And what is that, pray?"
@That you will be mine"
@Oh, George, can you love one who
has proved so unkind?"
Il can and do"
But, George, do you call to mind all,
all I did that was so cruel?"
Eyes, all. Away with them, and &C
cept my proposal, said he, with an ap-
pealing look.
aThen you freely forgive all?"