Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-03-02
EDlTH'S HUSBAND.
BY BETH DAY.

BY BETH DAY.
People said Edith Graham ought to
he happy; nevertheless. there were
few among them who did not sincerely
distrust the smooth-spoken gentleman
who had come to the quiet village and
won away their brightest and best.
Public opinion was but half won
over, when the few intimate friends
who had been invited to visit Edith in
her city home, returned with glowing
accounts of Mr.. Graham's wealth and
bis devotion to his fair, young wife,
Init laid down its arms and surrendered
at discretion, when it became known
that Graham had invited Edith's
brother, Give Ruperts, to make his
home with them, where he could have
the benefit of the opinion and advice of
lawyers and scientists regarding some
invention he was striving to perfect,
and which was to be offered to q min
ing company for trial in few months;
an invention which, if successful,
would bring him wealth beyond his
widest dreams.
To say that Graham loved the sweet,
innocent girl he had chosen, fails to
give an adequate idea of the worshipful
affection with which he regarded her;
an affection which was returned with a
woman's first and strongest love.
Nearly year had passed, and, as
yet, but one cloud had dimmed their
sunny sky. This was the repeated alb
sence from home of the young hus band.
II shall not be home until late to-
night, love-" or II shall be very busy
tonight, DEAR" or "Do not sit up for
me, Edith, I cannot return before morn
ing, always heralded night of wake
full loneliness for Edith, for, although
she had never mentioned it to her hus-
band, she rarely closed her eyes in
slumber during the long hours while
she awaited his return.
At first she had pleaded to be told
the nature of the business that kept
him from his home SO often, but she
had been met by evasive answers until,
oflate, she had ceased to question.
Time passed, and Give Ruperts per-
fected his invention and placed it in the
hands of the mining company for a
final test Mr.. Graham had won golden
opinions from his wifea,,d relatives. who
were in the secret, by 7ale untiring zeal
with which he devoted himself to his
young brother-in-law, during the days
OF anxious suspense while they waited
the decision of the company.
1t came at last, and Give returned to
Dis sisters home with more gold and
bank notes than he had ever seen in
bis life before.
Edith sent the servants away and
the three made their early tea little
festival of rejoicing.
Il shall never know another hour as
happy as this" said Edith to her
brother, as she congratulated him, for
perhaps the twentieth time, happily
unconscious of how bitterly true her
words would prove.
You will be at home tonight, Ora
ham?" said Give. as at last he arose.
L 10 not wish to take that money
with me, but am in haste to let the
dear old folks know of my success"
Yes, replied his brother-in-law, II
shall be here"
Scarcely had the whistle of the train
mat bore Give on his loving errand
oled into silence, when there was ring
az the door. A penciled note was
handed in, bearing the ominous words,
important business! Come at once.
oh! Arthur, must you go?" asked
Edith.
i must, dear. Are you afraid to stay
alone?"
No." she replied, hesitatingly, add
ing moment later, II do feel some
Shat tlmid tonight, probably because
mere IS SO much money in the house.
Just think if any one should break in
Don't think of it, Edith, you make
Yourself nervous There is no danger.
Wlll leave you my revolver if you like.
VIII you? I shall like that and
snall feel safer. I used to have one OF
Ivy own when was at fathers. was
Ill expert markswoman them"
@N,.1
ner husband looked surprised. "Have
you one now?" he asked.
No, I left it there"
MIR. Graham left the room, and in 9
~" minutes returned and placed the
revolver on the table.