Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1888-06-07

his wife had come TO detecting him in
his treachery. But when he read her
comments at tho bottom of the page he
was stunned. But he must stop her
going. Shame, contrition, fear OF
scandal all working upon him at once.
lent rather hang dog appearance to
him as he entered his own house.
Every thing was topsy-turvy for the
first time since he was married. He
began to realize tao late at least one of
his wife's virtues. Finding her gone
he took the next train in pursuit and
found her in her fathers parlor. and
there made his confession and apology
and promises to never do SO again
without avail however. After hearing
him through and listening to his petit
ton that she return to him, she said,
scornfully:
mot for worldsn
Not If you could offer her king.
dom should she return to you. you ras.
call" exclaimed her father. "Ain't
you pretty specimen of mankind.
leaving your wife at home and galvant-
on other women! l am able and will
ing to support my daughter. and the
sooner you get out of my house the
better. And mind you don't show
your face here again. Vamoose'
Here he emphasized with his cane,
in such a manner. that his son-in-law
thought best to retire.
He waited II week. expecting their
anger to cool. then went back again.
His father-in law met him at the gate
and threatened to have him arrested if
he ever came on his farm again. So
he troubled them no more.
Eight months later, Lucy gave birth
to girl, and; with the Inconsistency
of woman, named it Louise. Two
years later she was not fled of her
husbands application for n divorce,
and little later she read of his mar
riage to Louise, eldest daughter of
Senator Seely." Her father was dead
by this time, so she decided to move
west. Not wishing ever to know or TO
be known by any former acquaint-
ances. she changed her own and chill
drens name TO Ashley. and under this
cognomen we find them. several years
later, located on 4 homestead in wes-
tern Nebraska. as mentioned in the be-
CHING of our story.
The hired man and girl who worked
for Mrs. Ashley, and were brother and
sister, had been called away the morn
ing of the 10th to the sick-bed of their
mother; so only herself and the chill
dren were at home. Julian stud led his
lesson, and little Louise practiced her
mus while the mother crocheted.
The wind howlcd and the sleet came
against the windows with such force it
seemed it would break them. Sudden
ly in the midst of the roaring. there
came sound just outside the window
like the neighing of horse. They
listened and in minute i! sounded
again.
at must be one OF the ponies loose.
Something must be wrongat the stables.
Light the lantern and we'll go and
see said Mrs Ashley, putting on her
wraps.
When they opened the door and look.
ed out. there stood buggy with two
horses attached, and in the buggy the
figure of a man.
"HellOn called Julian.
No response.
ITS somebody lost in the storm"
said the mother. Perhaps he's frozen.
It's a good thing | left the curtain up;
the ponies must have seen tho ght aud
instinct lead them TO it, Here let's SO
if we can lift him."
They got the man into the house and
the ponies stabbed as quickly rs pos
5 bic. Then. finding that fe was not
extinct. they applied all the remedies
they had at hand to restore him. BY
and by he began to show signs of an
imation. and after long time opened
his eyes. They wandered around until
they lighted upon Mrs. Ashley's face.
Then with a glad cry the stranger
leaned forward.
"Lucy"ho cried. is it only hor-
rible dream?'
"A horribly real dream" she replied
icily, rccOgniz NJ N the man before
her, for the first time. her hus band.
don't be hard with me, Lucy, re-
member now, deserve everything
harsh. but ii you knew all, YOU would
pity and forgive. Believe me. Lucy, |
learned, too late, what jewel YOU
were in comparison with any other wo-
man ever saw"
"IIow about Louise?' Questioned
Mrs. Ashley.
didn't you ever hear? She led me
a miserable life, aud we quarreled, and
she used to fly at me like a mad Great
ure. She finally ran away with bank
cashier. | wasn't sorry that she went.
either. | had been drinking and my
credit was gone. and | was so down in
the world that | didn't care for the
disgrace. I've hunted for you ever
since, but | had given up all hopes of
finding you. think Providence must
have directed me here. | was over by
Culbertson looking at piece of land
to-day, and tried to make it back to
McCook, but the blizzard overlook me,
and the horses wouldn't face it, so we
drifted here. My monev. friends and
reputation are gone, and I'm going to
take claim and settle down and try
again. You must help me redeem my
self, Lucy. I've been terrible scoun-
drel. but I've paid dearly for all my
msdeeds."
To repeat all that was said by this
man and woman. who had once been
husband and wife, would fill a volume.
The main subject dwelt upon by Ash
ley Winthrop was a plea for forgive
ness and remarriage. Had lie re.
turned in the full tide of prosperity. it
is doubtful whether any arguments
could have prevailed with Lucy; as it
was however, pity for his misfortune
and fallen condition. the knowledge
that he needed her 10 help him in his
new start. belief in the sincerity Of his
repentance, and the thought of her
children having a legal guardian in
case of her death whereas. before they
would have been left TO strangers, all
worked in his favor.
The notice of final proof TO be made
on Mrs. Ashley's homestead entry ap.
peared in the next issue of the McCook
Democrat and the reunited couple be-
gan the new year together, at Akron.
Colorado. - Yankee Wade.
"Ile GUileh