The Red Cloud chief., 1889-08-09

less. with q crimson flush on her checks
and forehead. Captain Swift felt that
some painful mystery wa about to be
disclosed, and that the woman by his
side was gathering strength for a great
effort He generously repressed every
sign Of curiosity and establishment, and
waited her pleasure.
After q few moments she turned
toward him and spoke slowly and hesi-
tatingly.
IL throw myself upon your mercy,
Captain Swift; do not deny publicly to-
morrow that you over were married to
Jessica Wynne. DO not pursue those
who originated that-libel. Give me
time. l assure you that I will do my
utmost to undo what I have done"
She looked very young and fair. with
her earnest eyes and moist lashes.
What have you done?" he said,
simply.
Listen to me. and forgive me II you
can. When l first came to London, ut
eighteen. l found it q hOrrid place;
only married women were admired.
petted and courted-we girls we're no
where. So l made up my mind to come
back to tOwn-married; and as I had
not a husband handy-they are 90
scarce you know-l invented one. !
thought l was quite safe. 1 wanted
him to be an officer, because England
has such a lot Of troops in places people
never 60 to. l looked all over the
army and navy lists to make sure I did
not choose a name belonging to any
living man; l christened him Mont
gomery Swift. hap-hazard; 1 put the
paragraphs in the papers. He was a
very likely sort Of husband to have,
you know. and it seems so natural that
he should forever be among the saw.
ages-anywhere. Nobody seemed to
care about him at all; but they did for
his wife simply because she was not .
girl, and it vas all working beautifully.
o, why did you turn up? Why did you
have a Swift for a godfather Why did
he die?"
"Would it have suited you to keep
up this farce much longer?" said Cap
tain Swift, gravely, but an amused look
passed in his eyes.
"Only a little while," said Jessica.
promptly. II intend becoming a widow
very soon-some of the climates out
there are so unhealthy-n0 one would
have asked any questions. One &C.
cepts any thing in London when it Is
convenient to be credulous; but il you
are that hOrrid man please don't 81.
pose me yet"
mot till I Am dead, eh?"
Il can't make him out dead now"
she said petulantly; ''but l will 60
away. hide myself, never show my
face again"
THAT would be a pity; there must
be some other way to achieve widow
hood"
Don't be cruel It is dreadful! and
I know l have been very foolish. But
really" she added, with a resumption
Of her old quaint coquetry. Il can't do
more than ask your pardon"
"Yes you can; you a ask for my
advice" he said. extending his hand.
land. on my honor as a gentleman. ]
will help you to get out of this scrape."
They talked low and earnestly for
the remainder of the journey. At
Edinburgh they shook hands warmly
and parted. But neither Jessica nor
Captain Swift went to the Towers.
Two separate kilograms informed Mrs.
Bellune that her expected guests were
unav0idably prevented from joining her
party; nor did Mrs. Montgomery Swift
again gladden. the hearts Of her faith
full SWANS by her presence at the
fashionable resorts of late summer or
early autumn.
Three months later Jessica was
walking on the seashore only . mile
distant from a pretty village near
Bagni di Lucca, looking Al fresh. crisp
and fair as before her first disastrous
London campaign. only there was a
new tenderness in the dancing brown
eyes as she lifted them t~rustfully to
those Of q tall man on whose arm her
small hand rested.
"And 70 you are really, truly not
sorry that you never denied your mar
riage with Miss Wynnef" she said,
coaxinglv.
Not sorry at all, darling, as it saves
me the fuss of communicating IL now"
answered Captain Swift. I'm desper-
ately glad. though. it's all settled and
done with. "-LOnd0n Truth.
Curious Archaeological Discovery.
A curious discovery has just been
made at Vimoutiers, France. by q peas
ant living in the village of Cutesson.
He was digging in his field when the
ground suddenly gave way. and he fell
into q hole ten feet In depth. The
peasant had accidentally lighted upon
a sub~terranean chamber. the existence
Of which vas not even suspected by the
country people. On examination q