Daily Yellowstone journal., 1888-11-01

been more desolats than mine within its
walls. | ate and drank and slept and
went my daily round, made more
wretched at the sight Of my struggling
sisters who were not SO well equipped
for the battle of life as |, and then | fled
from the ''home' into the Chicago
boarding house. / found one on Michi-
gan avenue, kept by Mrs. McGillicuddy.
My home life was at least independent.
Mrs. McGillicuddy's heart was honest
and kind, her little parlors were
tidy, her table bore wholesome
fare. There was only her daughter
Josie, who owned the piano, and Jack,
the McGillicuddy son and heir, who
troubled or annoyed me. and from the
son and daughter and piano could al
ways retreat 20 my ro0m 1t was new to
me to take a holiday, but one morning |
slept till long after the whistles had
ceased To blow. | could not have
reached my proof room even at $, SO l
wandered out lazily into the June sun,
over the city and toward the North side.
l reached the bridge at State street and
stepped upon it just as it swung to give
passage to a painting little steamer. There
was only one person on the bridge, a
gentleman. He stood quite near me as
we swung slowly out over the river. lie
might have been thirty.five or so. He
was broad shouldered and jolly looking,
and a little sunbrowned. He looked at
me earnestly, and | noticed that he had
keen, honest, hazel eyes. But, to my
amazement, he pronounced my name
and held out his hand. ~ am Wallace
Adams" he explained; '.you were a
schoolmate of my sister Ida, at West
field. met you there. l was sure /
could not be mistaken"
That wasten years ago" stammered,
feeling my years suddenly rising up be-
fore me.
''You are not much changed, Miss
Hunter-you are very pale and thin, but
l have always remembered you"
The bridge swung slowly round. re-
leasing Us, but my new found friend did
not leave me-. We walked slowly home,
talking Of those we had known, of Ida
Adams. who was dead, of each other, and
Mr.. Adams told me he had just come
from Oregon. .'For the convention
perhaps | shall stay awhile after it," lie
lett me with permission to call that even
ing, and that began a new life for Inc.
He called, and we talked awhile. and
then, 10 my surprise. Wallace Adams
asked me 10 marry him.
Women who sit in high places in So
ciety will sliudder nj my holiness and
want of delicacy. at Mr.. Adams vulgar
ity, at the disregard Of all orthodox rules
of courtshin. But | looked back upon
five lost and unhappy years, forward to a
lifetime Of blind cropping after money that
somehow slipped away from the hands
that won It from the world 81 hardly.
And there WAS hope and~cheCr for me in
looking into The mans hazel eyes, l had
neither father. mother nor friends, and.
though | haL never known it, a home
would br 50 dc:g to me. hcsitated and
half promised.
Bit | lid not lose caution. asked
for time. "a little longer acquaintance, q
little lIaSyr at ms post. / was like a
slave that has grown to love the clauking
Of his chains. If, in a few weeks more,
/ can feel that | am dong right ] will be
your wife,
That was cur betrothal, for the half
promise wa accepted. Dir. Adams took
my hands in his and looked at me with
pity in his hazel eyes, God grant you
may, Dora, and good night"
Invent back to my work, but my heart
was not in it. | saw Mr.. Adams twice
each week. and a new world opened be-
fore me. | had wanted to love him at
first, but soon my life grow into a prayer
that he should really care for Inc. l
saw every day some evidence Of his kind
ness, his wise friendship, but | trembled
at the thought that il might only he
friendship, for life held SO much more.
1t was at this time the NicGillicuddys
began to develop a warm interest in me.
Jack came TO the @ O'Clock dinner one
night with some exciting information. l
was invited to take dinner at the Nc
Gillicuddy's special table, and there he
divulged il.
Il was 10 the races, Miss Hunter" he
''aud that Adams nan bought a
pair OF California horses"
/ made no reply. Jack had forgotten
how many people are wearing the nam
Of Adams. His news was nothing to me.
''He paid $40, 900 for EN-" went on
Jack. Your Adams, Miss Hunter.
Don't you catch on?n
"He must he rich. Miss Dora" chimed
in the mother. II want you to give Josie
an introduction"
''You must take me out riding, " lisped
Josie, with her blonde head on one side.
/ looked down at my plate in amaze.
ment. Either Wallace Adams was better
situated than ! had known or he had
gone wildly TO specializing inrace horses.
| remembered Ida Adams ut Westfield,
a ward like myself. Her father had been
a clergyman. 'Not able to take care Of
a wife, Dora, " he had told me, ''and 10
have II comfortable home" Ihad thought
him able TO make his way with other
men; TO give me n neat home with a few
comforts in it-a piano, books and n
or w good pictures.
didn't you know itT' broke out my
landlady. glibly. ''Nyhere did you get
acquainted with himl'
| escaped from the McGillicuddys and
away TO my room. l had promised anew
to be his wife, or now / might be sup
posed TO want his money.
'ls this trueY' I asked him when he
came again, and / told him about the