Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1890-06-26
like baited wild animal than ever as
he fuur himself out of the cell,

that nurse bad been left alone with tho
baby, and his wife had gone out" no
one knew whittier. So, in uncomfortable
ignorance of the dangers that beset
him, he went to the railway-station
that afternoon and waited for lady
who should resemble as nearly as pos
sible the miniature likeness which had
been shown him, and he found her very
readily. There was no chance of mis-
taking the striking, demonstrating
beauty, and. in fact, as he advanced to
meet her the trembling lips parted
slightly. just enough to say:
Frank Hatfield?"
"And you are Florenccp"
ooh, Frank, where is my husbandp
Why is he not heropn
He is safe and well, assure you,
and you shall soon see him."
''But l don't understand. Why Is
all this mystery aud dcceptionp"
Il can't explain here,n said Frank,
"but if you will get into carriage /
will tell you as we CO.
And Frank was determined to keep
his word, though he had almost as soon
have been convicted of burglary.
He was not aware Of all his trouble,
however He had not noticed the
yelled form that had followed him into
the station, nor had his excited and
confused faculties taken any note OF
the fact that the same form sprang
lightly into a cab which drove of rap
idly after the carriage which contained
him and Florence. When the latter
was pulled up In front of an hotel the
cab also stopped at little distance,
but the yelled lady did not get out. She
leaned forward to the window, mutter-
ing: ........
Il knew there was something Of the
sort. Oh, Frank, Frank! How could
your"
And then the driver of the cab re-
ceived fresh orders, and drove rapidly
away.
Florence had only gone into the ho-
tel to gather her somewhat scattered
senses after listening to the news inn
parted by Frank, and on the whole she
had sustained the shock much better
than he had expected. In few mo-
ments-for with all her nervousness,
she was a brave and devoted wife
Florence declared herself ready.
II must stop at my Office for mo-
ment," said Frank.
"Oh, but l am in SIch hurryw said
Florence.
But it is only to leave n law paper
with my partner. He has been at court
all day and / have not seen him."
Franks office was in very busy
part of the city, and both he and Flor
ence had their heads too full of excit-
ing thoughts to notice any particular
member of the hurrying throngs upon
the pavement. Still, as the carriage
pulled up at the curb Frank remarked:
Good! won't have to go upstairs;
there's my partner now. Brown! Eth,
Brownr
The gentleman thus addressed had
been standing on the edge of the pave
ment as if waiting for someone, and
now came forward with remarkable
beaming expression of countenance.
Frank, my boy, it's all right"
whats all rightP"
"Why, that Harry Taylor case"
Frank Hatfield had to catch his
breath for moment, but stammered:
"H-h-howp"
why, there was whole batch sent
up this morning, aud one of them
confessed to putting the pocket-book
in Harry's pocket"
We'll, what did you do?'
"Oh, the magistrate let him right out
at once, and I've got him upstairs in
the Office
A gloved hand was on Franks Shout
der, and trembling voice was trying
to ask him:
Frank, Frank, isn't that Walter"
Eyes, it's Walter" said Frank Hat
field; but he was sorry enough the
next minute as he sat in the corner of
the carriage trying to recall the color
to the white and beautiful face of Flor
ence, for she had tainted.
As for Brown, he had compreh ended
the situation well enough to dash up
stairs, and by the time Florence had
recovered her senses she was In more
tender hands than those of half-fright-
ened Frank Hatfield.
And now the carriage was being
whirled away up town, for Frank was
urged by something even stronger than
hospitality in his eagerness to reach
his clouded home. He could have no
patience with either horse or driver.
especially as Florence and Walter
looked SO provokingly loving and hap
py.
Home was reached at last, however,
and the somewhat irate driver refined
in his smoking horse in front of the
house. Frank spraug to the ground,
and never dreamed of aiding Walter;
but Florence by this time was well able
to help herself
1t was not very late when they Oh
tered the house, and Franks latchkey
dispensed with bell-ringing and serv-
ants.
wait moment in the parlor," said
Frank, ''while call Mabel"
And so saying, but with big weight
upon his heart, Frank pushed onward
toward the sitting-room. As he threw
open the door before him, however, he
was suddenly confronted by lady In
full travelling costume, and glance
beyond showed him a marvellous dis
array of trunks and traveling-bags.
mabel, my dear"
A gloved hand held out to him a
small white envelope while q husky
and trembling voice said:
Goodbye, Frank"
Mabel"
Isn't that Walters voicep Oh,
Walter, are YOU here?"
Yes, Mabel; here I am safe and
sound"
"Oh, Walter take me away-take me
home to mothers"
But Mabel, what is the matter?
Frank has been just the best old fel.
low"
Walter, there she is; saw her at
the railway-station-the very same wo-
man; and now he's brought her here!
Walter. what does it mean?"
Mean! Why, Mabel-come, Flor.
ence-Mabel this is my wife, your SIS
ter. Florence. Eve been in trouble,
and Frank has helped me through, like
trump that he IS; and you are mad,
when you have got the best fellow in
the world for hus--"
Mabel gave one look at her brother.
another into the wistful face of her
new sister; but she caught a glance of