The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1889-07-17

"Giye them to me. must be sure how
much he tells. You had faith IN your
husband? You believed he loved your"
~ did. We had been very happy"
"You had never detected any thing
mysterious in his conduct"
"On the contrary he was very frank
very open, very honorable"
Had he property"
81 suppose SO; but 1 was very young,
and after he was gone was alone ana
helpless. Nothing was ever DONE"
"There may be a mistake. Give me
these papers and l will see you again
soon. | will confer with Mr.. BRISTOL
then he added, to give her ease OF mind
at will be a professional secret No one
else shall have even hint of it."
He rose to go. She also arose.
"What are you going to do?" she STAN.
merel. II have not told you yet what
want"
"Why," he said, ~ inferred you want
to clear this matter up"
ut is cleared up. l want to consult
you about divorce. If he is alive 1t Is
base desertion."
Certainly, if he is alive, but let us first
be sure of that"
''This doubt" she murmured, "these
cruel stories are worse than death. l am
at once enraged, broken-hearted. have
always thought if he were only, only llv-
ing! and now l keep praying it may be
true he is dead"
'You shall not be left in doubt if can
aid you," he said, bowling, and giving his
hand in 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 halfway communication
with ignorance at the other end Of the
line"
ut seems to me-" said Bristol, irritated
at his zeal, 'ycu might get whatever in
formation you want by letter quite as
well. Your correspondents spelling may
not be faultless, but the trip is an expen-
sive one.'
81 can see no other way. According to
the letters, which are very ignorant, it is
true, the man is alive. must see thathe
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 a half hour on
that Hateful 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 inglori-
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 Breezeland entered
upon 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 il
whatever diversion presented itself.
The only enjoyment that attracted Mrs
Bonamy from her seclusion was gallon
over the lovely country roads. Of tina
she was very fond, and was frequentl.
| hot linz
about the str Gets, or fingered with sober
er-paced horses along the leaf-strewl
woodland paths.
Altogether there was q wistful, preoc
cnpied air about her in the midst of thes
gay young people. She seemed at leas
to imbibe fresh life from the free air an
motion-that is, il increased color on
brightness of face were indications.
Bristol was possessed to he near hel
After the first few rides he contrive
usually to be her escort, and on one c
two occasions they made long detou1
into the country together, either earl
frosty mornings, or after school, whe
the shortening days justified twilight {
l even moonlight across the returnin
paths.
Bristol felt himself hopelessly involve'
He was woven about with thousand ii
visible and intangible threads. He We
just as securely captive in this mesh {
he would have been if bound with rope
; or iron bands.
He had letters now and then from Wa
rem, who had reached Santa Barbara, bl
4 who had found he must make tediol
journey to the mountains in search
q the nomad whose letters had SO di
t turbed Mrs. Bonamy's peace.
e During the interval of his absence the
Il was no correspondence. In view Of Il
l uncertainty of Mrs. Bonamy's situation,
Q was little short of madness in Bristol
e 60 so headlong in love. Why could
It not have waited week, q month, until
S could be assured of her freedom, and tn
: Warren had not by reason Of his devot
II services, prior claim?
: But no! With his most impassion'
n strength he entered upon worship
70 her which so enthralled them both by
: reckless fervor that she was like wor
Is an in dream, and he dweller in clou
II land
Then letter came from Warren. ~
II bilatel have accomplished itp A hu
ried scrawl it was, saying further tn
Is he intended to stop in Colorado on his L
y turn TO look after some of the Bonan
:. mining claims, and adding that he b;
'1 good news.
~ Warren returned after six.weeks' a
S. sence. Bristol met him at the train abo
se dusk, with breathless inquiry. "W
y did't you tell us something definite, Wa
Id REM" he cried, even while they sho
Or hands in greeting.
10 "What's your great hurry, Bristo
le with complacent laugh. "Any ott
|