Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-10-24

The boat grated on the sands and, spring
ing out, Marcia pulled it high up on the
whitened beach
Over there lay the city with her home
nesting in its bosom, and Harley would be
expecting tea shortly now, but she wouldn't
be 4here--no, never againi ssls1ssss
Vivid lightning streaked the hOrison and
the muttering thunder was coming nearer.
Marcia Lessinge shivered and vaguely
wondered if it would not have been better
to have been drowned outright than this
Running along the sands looking for
shelter, she noticed dim path leading into
the interior. The great drops of rain were
now beginning to fall, and, concluding to
trust to its guidance, she turned into the
diminutive road and disappeared among the
low cedars lining the shore. 's.l-3 '4t
Suddenly the storm burst over the city in
all its fury, and luckless humanity rushed
indoors.
In respectable-looking fiat the smolder-
ing fire on the hearth kept frugal meal,
long since prepared, from growing cold. In
the hall a young mechanic hung up his
damp coat, brushed his shoes and4won-
dered why no sound came from the adjoin-
ing room.
marcia must be out" he thought. 'sbut
it's an awful night to get belated, though
reckon she's to Mothers" He went in and
sat down by the fire; the tempest beat
heavily at window and door, and he went
over to the drenched panes uneasily.
Some one enveloped in gossamer was at
the outside door. and the young husband
FASTENED.
.sIsn't Marcia here yetl'' It was his
wife's brother who questioned thus fear
fully as soon as the door admitted him.
'Not just now, answered the husband.
''but tea is prepared and waiting, so /
thought she had run over to your place for
a moment and gotstorm- bound"
30! Harley; she IS lost on the water, l
fear"
Harley Lessinge sprang to his feet, ter
rible fear pressing like a weight on bis
heart. ''What do you mean, Theodore!"
80! Hal mean that Marcia was seen out
on the water in an open boat just before the
storm and alone. She can't keep above the
waves in such storm as this"
.'Out on the water?" and Lessinge stood
dumb with terrified amazement gazing at
the boy, who wrung his hand in helpless
grief. "What was she out there for,
Theo2" he gasped, finally. Then he sank
into seat moaning. "She has been strange
of late; but as she said nothing know
nothing-I don't know what to do-poor
Marciai" II
Theodore Raynor stood regarding his
brother-in-law suspiciously. 1t was plain
1Aoo no oOuUCOu I'LL. IL CCll yOu IL yOu
don't know" Lessinge looked up eagerly,
and the boy continued:
''She has seen you several times at
122 West Fourth street; has seen you
caress lovely woman there and kiss the
child in her arms when you babe them
goodbye. This may be the key to the
strangeness. For my part I think Marcia
meant to neper return.''
so! my God!'' cried the husband, BIZ ak-
ing away from the lad and rushing wildly
out into the street. II am perfectly inno-
cent of it all ; never was at the number In
my life and know none of it's occupants. O.!
I must find Marcia; must go to my wife"
'You can not now,'' called the brother
after him. "She may have reached Aunt
Meg's at Clyde-may have gotten there
but can't see how, either.''
But Harley Lessinge sped away in the
pouring rain, intent on finding his little
girl-wife. Theo followed him, fearing
for his reason; there was such wild look
lin his eyes as he went out. He wished he
had not revealed Marcia'ss secret; more
evil might come of the telling than good !;
but, after all, how did he know just what to
saya 3 NJ - NSfN
He found Harley some blocks away want
dering aimlessly about, dazed and drenched
to the skin. He took him home and sent
for physician
Meantime the storm had abated and
parties were out along the shore, if haply