The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1889-01-24

AUDaA nCNE N0A I0us UuA AAnE08AAMA
Wllliive. He has been insensible slltce
his accident until DOwj hut he has
come To himself, and calls constant
~ for you"
With a thrilling cry, as Elsie COM
pretended the meaning OF the words
which conveyed the bllssful truth TO
her, she threw herself upon her
knees.
"Oh, God, I thank Thee! Thou
hast given me more than life! Thou
haat'
"QuIck! Bring water she has
fAinted!h
Before he could reach her, she lay
white a. a crushed lily upon the
floor; but q peaceful smile fingered
around her delieately- tremulous
lips told of a mind AZ rest.
Gerald was eOnvalescent. His wife
had left the room for n moment.
The doctor who had attended him
through his illness was seated be-
side him.
"Marehmont," he asked, suddenly,
"dO you remember anything about
the appearance Of your assailant ."
"les,n answered the young man,
with a painful red rising and color
ing his forehead, "but it IL "a subject
of which ! prefer not To speak. Why
do you n K ," he Eaid, a ut his In
terlOeutoT's face showed an express
sion upon II which struck him a.
strange.
The doctor said confuseily:
at ls nothing. A mere feeling 81
curiosity"
Gerald looked at him keenly.
doctor May" lac said, There IL
something on your mind. AS you
value the friendship Of a poor fellow
who but for you would be sleeping
lIis last sleep, tell me the truth"
And he put out his wasted hand,
and took one of the doctors In u o..
mo matter lac continued; "if IL
concerns my nearest and dearest. 4"
His words struck upon his list
eneT's ears like an electric shock.
Gould IL be true, after all =" he
thought to himself
Then, with a sudden resolve 10
probe Go the bottom OF affairs, he re-
sI'Onded Ia Gerald MarclImOnt' =
question.
AS you request IL, will tell you
all. Mrs. Marchmoni accused her
self, n1-Rnd-shew was incarcerated
until the effect Of your wounds be-
came known"
IL was with an effort lac concluded /;
for Gerald had started from his re-
clining position, his weakness for
gotten. The veins upon his fore
head swelled. lie painted for breath
in his anger and excitement. - I.
How did they dare!'' he exclaim-
ed my Elsie! She would die for
me any moment"
But at this junction. Elsie entered
the room agair, and, with an effort
Gerald calmsd himself. so that she
might not notice his agitation.
Just then n murmur Of voices was
heard without. The body Of a man
had been discovered in a piece Of
woodland at a little distance from
the cottage. Upon his person had
been found n set nf burglars tools,
and a watch with Gerald March
mOHt's name engraved upon Il, aud
public opinion at once pointed Ia him
a. the peraau who had 50 nearly
adde'i murder Ia robbery. The cause
Of his death was singular one
His foot had caught in a spring trap
set for game, and he had fallen for
ward upon his face Ia pool Of
water scarcely foot in depth. But
that hal been n fatal Ia him as
would have been the deepest lake,
for he had been unable to sXtricatp
himself, sud had thus unexpectedly
paid the penalty for his crimes, and
had gone To- meet his everlasting
punishment.
Darling" asked Gerald, when
the TObbeT had been identified, and
had been placed ia the bosom Of our
common earth, whose m"rciTul arms
open alike To receive the Just and
the unjust alike-"darling, why did
you say u was you who had commit
ted that awful crime"
Elsie threw her arms around her
husbands meek.
at was true! Ehen Lnnglry was
your wOuld-bc-as-assin, aud ID was
for revenge upon inc that he added
assault To robbery. Had you not
married me he would not have
tnurhpd you. Oh, Gerald, are YOU
never sorry your poor Elsie won
your heart-that you had not left
me To grow up among the wicked
ones where you found me?''
VI anu HNNtalal INEtNNtNI
his lips fOudly Ia her rosy mouth a.
he whispered: Lave levels all
ranks; and now that the un-
scrupulnus man u dead Who
conrealitg hi. real charact-
er, won your unsuzpecting sisters
love, aud married her 20 break her
heaTt-noT that hc has followed his
victim 10 higher tribunal, you
surely need shrink nu longer from
going with your husband out into
the world; for you cannot think that
the crimes Of anotheT-eVen though
cnuupctiOn--have any power to
render your character less pure aud
lovely in any Tighi-thinking per-
sons eyes. do not urge me Ia re-
main any longer ia this secluded re-
treat: but come with me, my Elsie,
where can openly acknow ledge the
pride and love ! feel for my chosen
wife"
EIsie's eyes filled with tears n
she listened. But she said. plead
ingly:
Not vet, Gerald. Give me time
to educate myself up to your own
standard I will study faithfully
and earnestly; aud then when you
can introduce me, a cultivated wO-
man, To your friends, will gp with
you willingly"
4 few years later, when Mr.. and
Mrs. Gerald Marchmont returned
from abroad, the stately beauty Of
the accomplished wife was raved
in fashionable circles: and not Plone
there, but ia that exclusive society
whose charmed precincts open to ad-