Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1889-07-17


stand?"
These "reminiscences brought we'll
ing food Of tears to her eyes which she
hastily brushed away.
He nodded.
'But now," and she flercely gathered
up the letters in her hands, "here have
proof that the whole thing was but part
OF q plot to deceive ME. My uncle was
right. l had married mere adventurer.
he took that way to desert me. He fed to
Southern California, aad Ibis widow
am here, while his wife and children are
herewith him."
Warren's awkward self consciousness
at the beginning Of the interview had, as
her story went on, been steadily dis.
placed by the true lawyers instinct, eager
TO catch every point. detect discrepancy
and work up case.
"WhO wrote these letters:D
II do not know him. but he claims to be
brother OF the guide who was lost with
my husband in the mountains"
"Would you know his hand? Did YOU
know his name?"
II never knew him. lie came once to
seek news Of his brother, but was ill
dellrlous-and SO l never saw him. He
was mountaineer, a wanderer, like that
brother. These letters, you see, ARE posted
at Santa Barbara to me at Boulder, and
forwarded to me here. He says he has
been looking for gold in the Southern
mountains"
"Give them to me. 1 must be sure how
much he tells. You had faith in your
husband: You believed he loved you?'
II did. We had been very happy"
you had never detected any thing
mysterious in his conduct"
ION tho contrary he was very frank,
very open, very honorable"
Had he property"
II suppose so; but l was ver;' young,
aud after he was gone was alone and
helpless. Nothing was ever DONE"
"There may be a mistake. Give mo
these papers and I will see you again
soon. l will confer with Mr.. Bristol -
then he added, to give her ease of mind
lit will be a professional secret. No one
else shall have even a hint of it'
He rose to go. She also arose.
"What are you going to lo?" she STAN
merea. II have not told you Yet what [
Want.'
"Why," he said, II inferred you want
to clear this matter up"
III is cleared up. 1 want to consult
you about a divorce. If he is alive it is
base dcsertion."
"Cectainly, if he is alive, but let us first
be sure Of that"
''This doubt" she murmured, 'these
cruel stories arc worse than death. am
at once enraged, broken hearted. have
always thought if he We're only, only liy-
ing! and now keep praying it may be
true he is dead.'
you shall not be left in doubt if can
aid YOU" he sad, bowling, and giving his
hand il good night.
''But one thing MORE" she said, "the
money-the fee."
1--WE will agree upon that LATER" he
said, good night"
Next morning he told Bristol all about
it.
II am going to Santa Barbara" he said.
''You look after the Office here. We can
not trust to any half way communication
with ignorance at the other end of the
line"
1T seems to me-" said Bristol, irritated
at his zeal, 'ycu might get whatever in
formation you want by letter quite as
we'll. Your CORES ondent's spelling may
not be faultless, but the trip is an expeu-
sive one."
II can see no other way. According to
the letters, which are very ignorant, it is
true, the man is alive. must see that he
really is so or | must prove him dead"
Bristol, perceiving it was foregone
conclusion that Warren would have his
own way, made no further opposition
and within week of his first introduce
ton to Mrs. Bonamy, Warren started for
the West, armed with all needful infor-
nation.
Bristol had experienced fierce jealousy
over what he considered Warren's ad-
vantage. The mere chance of his having
been out Of the office for half hour on
that fateful day had altered the whole
course of his life, he thought, and had
placed every thing in Warren's hands,
while he, who was already committed to
an interest in the lady, was left iuglori-
ously in the lurch. 1t put him in a very
bitter mood. He was rebelious, turbu
lent.
The tedious rains ended with Septem-
Der. and October brought days so warm,
so golden, that all Broezeland entered
upon q series Of midsummer amuse-
ments, picnic parties (ostensibly nut
gatherings), lawn-tennis, horseback
rides and even boating.
Business did not hinder Bristol from
being foremost in every frolic. The re
action from what he counted his ill-fort-
une set in at once and he joined gaily in
whatever diversion presented itself.
The only enjoyment that attracted Mrs.
Bonamy from her seclusion was q gallon
over the lovely country roads. OF that
she was very fond, and was frequently
one of the parties that went speeding
about the streets, or fingered with sober
er-paced horses along the eaf-strewn
woodland paths.
Altogether there was wistful. Dreoc-
cupied air about her in the midst of these
gay young people. She seemed at least
to imbibe fresh life from the free air and
motion-that is, If increased color and
brightness of face were indications,
Bristol was possessed to he near her.
After the first few rides he contrived
usually to be her escort, and on one or
two occasions they made long detours
into the country together, either earlv
frosty mornings, or after school, when
the shortening days justified twilight or
even moonlight across the returning
paths.
Bristol felt himself hopelessly involved.
He was woven about with thousand in
visible and intangible threads. He was
just as securely captive. in this mesh as