Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-10-18
ooh! my little innocent darling, papa

does not love us any more; he has gon
without kissing you goodbye. Oh
baby, baby, my heart is breaking" ant
laying her head down on baby's pillow
Merle cried until she exhausted.
When she grew calmer she sat up an,
tried to think. The tears still glistenet
on her long lashes, and her face wa
deathly pale.
She would go away, OF that she was
quite decided, but wheve-that vas the
question, where could she go?
Her husband had ceased to love her,
had spoken words she could not forget
and she could not'remain with him long
er. Yes, she would go away.
She packed small satchei with a few
necessary articles for little Daisy and her
self, and, taking a photograph of her
husband, (taken in the dear old days
when they wero so happy from a little
case on a table, she looked at it long
and earnestly, then brushing away the
tears that blinded her eyes, she quickly
placed it in the satchel, and taking
baby in her arms she put OF its little
cloak and bonnet. How sweet she
looked, dear little pet, as she ran up
and down the room calling for Papa"
and trying to catch the pretty sunshine
that made a golden path across the
carpet.
Happy baby, too young to realize her
mothers s%ufferings, too young to know
that she was leaving home forever.
Merle clasped her child in her arms
and kissed her laughing face, then she
closed the door behind them and
started in the direction Of the depot.
Come on, Arlington, over to the
club-rooms, and lets have a game of
cards; perhaps you a square yourself
tonight, old fellow" said Jack Caul-
ton, as he linked his arm in that of
Frank Arlington and offered him a
cigar.
Not tonight, Jack, i"
There, no refusal, Arlington, I am
going to New York tomorrow, and this
is your last chance to get even," inter-
rupted Jack Caution, as he led the way
to the club-rooms.
Frank Arlington gave just one hasty
thought to Merle, his wife, waiting for
him through the long, weary evening.
But alas! the thought Of her was not
strong enough to make him refuse to
play, He felt ashamed when he re-
called the events of the morning, and
he made up his mind he would not stay
late, but he must get even with Caution,
now he had the chance.
The hours passed on swiftly; Frank
Arlington was still unlucky, still the
loser.
Just as the clock chimed out eleven
the door opened and a voice called out:
GA telegram for Frank Arlington is,
he here?"
And when it was handed to him he
took it mechanically. glanced carelessly
at the superscription and laid it I'M
opened on the table. The room was
ghostly still, the sharp click Of the
chips as they were pushed to the center
Of the table by nervous fingers only
served to make the silence more pro-
nounced.
Now and then a half-muttered curse
forced its way threHgh t%ightly-com-
pressed lips, and shot across the almost
deserted room like an invisible missile
of death.
The pile of red and white ivory chips
in the center of the table grew higher,
and the faces about the table grew
winter, and harsher. and less human.
The hands were called and Arlington
rose to his feet, his last dollar gone to
swell the purse Of his pretended friend,
Jack Caution. He leaned against the
table, and his hand fell upon the tele-
gram. He took it up and slowly broke
the seal. 1t read as follows:
IL IidiiN tAIlIlSlOI-COiue aG once.
Railroad accident at Poltonsvilie. Your
wife dangerously hurt; little child killed.
"R. j. RoLToN. Supt."
Frank Arlington's face was white as
death. my God, boys, what does
this mean? My wife hurt in a railroad
accident; little child killed. Merciful
God, am I dreaming? 1t cannot be
true"
Snatching up his hat, he dashed out
the door-not before q hand grasped
his arm, and a young man, almost a
stranger to Frank Arlington, said in a
firm voice, "Iet me go with you, you
may need help"
And so together they hurried on I'M
til they came to Frank Arlington's
home. The home he bad LETT that
morning with words of anger on his
lips, and angry thoughts in his heart.
The house was shrouded in darkness,
no light glimmered from the window to
welcome his return. All was silent as
the graves.