Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-02-08

the endeavor to catch a glimpse OF the
magnificent interior OF the house rs the
doors were thrown open to the guests
Among the crowd stood Rueben Bates,
more an ious than any Of the m to try "
view what was going on within. A SIMS
ter expression, quite unusual with him,
gave his features an i'll look which tliza-
beth Hawkins had never yet seen upon
them. lie seemed for the first time in his
life to have a liked purpose of some SORT
I'm his mind, ami thar an evil one.
"Ain't IL gran r." he thought, as lie
watched tie ladies in their rich costumes
and the gentlemen in their dainty shoes
step from the carriages on TO the drugget,
which was spreal hou the pavement to
the door "Ain't 1t grand" he repeated
to himself. "Diieren, To wot Ii We're up
In 81. Johns wood wen she used to come
down 'erself into the kitchen and 'elp
make meat pies. as Ii abeth 'erselt 'as
told me time over again. NOt's er game
with this ere dy namiter chan. Id ike 20
know. Voc she up 10 a givin' OF i'm
money and a-callin' OF i'm Jack? | Won
der 'ow 'er 'usband would like 1t If @
knew 'ow she was a-carrA in on Now
'e's come back TO London as that dyna-
inter cove. Wot for? wy for 'er. That's
Mot es come for Eeuben Bates amt
no fool, and knows ow many beans make
five. III keep my eye on her-see ii don't
1t was nearly one o clock when the last
of the guests de artcd. The carpeting,
which was stretched beneath the awning
across the stone ags, was rolled up, ana
the lights in the rooms were being put out.
Presently N too;man came out upon the
steps and whS led for a hansom. Mr..
Atw ODD WAS going out sou ewheres; he
was seldom at home now OF an evening.
No excitement seemed 10 be sufficient for
him, and lie was never happy save when
i'm noisy company. At last he came out,
and, af er having given "A few directions
10 the servant, jumped into the cab and
was driven away.
Besides the solitary policeman who oc-
casionally marched up and down upon his
beat, there was but one looker-on-and
that was Reuben Bates. In the dark
shadow of the portioo OF one of the oppo-
site houses he croLChed, closely watching
the house. There lie waited and specu-
lated upon what woul happen next
Within tho house. in the long drawing
room, where the gas lights were all put
out. with a bedroom can lcstick upon the
marble mantlcpiece, sat Mrs. Atwood.
She was thinking OF their present life
and comparing il with the one she had LED
only year ago. Was she any happier:
No her husband lite and her own had
daily drifted farther apart. When they
were poor and had many troubles they al
least had shared them, and, If not alto
gcther happy, they were coniented in
humble sort OF way. sometimes, at any
rate. III those cid days he had a CHEEKY
mood and kind gentle word for her, Bu'
| RON all HAT was changed; he was nevel
az Lo.ac unless. ~ it had happened to
| rghi. some festivities compelle him L
lie there to play the host.
Where did he 90 every night She
knew t,,at he gambIed still, though he haC
promised her faithfully he would give Il
tip. Wily should la not be contented nov
that n Was rich? THIS fearful fascination
" oulG be lis ruin. OF late he had takeI
so mach 70 drink. In the old days he haC
always taken his wine like other men, bu
she hai never seen him actually thu
! worse for it. Now he was often urstead'
| in his gai, aal NOISY when he returned
! home in the small hours Of the morning.
Blanche Atwood sat and wondered wha
she could do 70 tempt her husband bacl
into 4 quicter way OF life, when "A rap al
the door disturbed her meditation,.
Ii was Elizabeth.
What is il, Elizabeth" she asked
WHY are yOG rot in bed! II is past OH,
o'clock.
81 wanted TO speak to you, if yoI
please m. =
Come in, old friend, and speak away,
sail Mrs. Atwood yawnine. "1o on ar,
cot 90 ne to give me warning, i no" ,"
"Nc, m. not that replied + Ii abeth
'Nevcr ;hat. 'ope; though life in th
grea. ouse ain; wot 1t wer in thu
dear oil days IN the Wood. Leastways
not to inc IN.
Blanche Atwood sighed. Neither wa
life the same 70 her a. it was in those ole
days she had spent in the Wood. ,
III you please. IN " continued Eliza
beth In q WHISPER after she had closed thu
door-''if you please III, don he startled
now. IN. I've seen Mr.. Delaney to night
"Mr. Delaney" cried Blanche, startin!
up from her chair. ''YOu have seen Mr.
Delaney? Tell Inc where' Where die yol
see him"
Whca / was out shoppin' to-nigh
in the EdgwaIe Load, me and Rub
that's my young man, IN, you know
we was slandn lookin in "a shop win
der. when, all OF 4 sudden, voice sc
behind me. 'Lizabeth Oh it made IN
blood run cold When | turned roun,
who should | see but i'm! Oh, mum,
looks so i'll rs dyin yes, me
dyin'. thats wot G is. + gave me thi
ere slip % paper, and wrote down wher
e lived. Give IL 10 hrs. Atwood e Sc
give il to or aud ask 'er to come an
see me quick afore | die. | can't di
easy, e SCI, unless she comes. oh
mum. e looks mortal bad II you onl,
card m cough, you couldn't make n
mistake. rs dyin fast.
For a few moments Mrs. Atwood sat
mOtionlcss in her chair and spoke not
word. II seemed TO her as if some terribl,
calamity which had been hanging over
her for months had come upon her at last
The dread OF some impending evil whicl
was creeping nearer and nearer TO he
chilled her 10 The heart. Life had no
been sweet 30 her, bu II had been bear
able at the worst. What was this awful
| thing that was coming towards her. whicI
seemed TO e more terrible than she coul'
bear
For few minutes sh" seemed uaral, SCI
with fear Then win a courageous eflor
she made up her mind To act She woult
20 and see HIM, at whatever cost.