The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1891-06-25

had been disappointed as well as her.
self
She drew back in the shadow of the
window. watching her beautiful rival
with u feeling of bitter envy. Her
dress was so wonderously becoming,
her lace so costly, her style and figure
so queenIy and imposing, no wonder
Frank used to admire her. She was,
indeed, very beautiful. And poor,
simple little Alice smoothed down her
mauvc dress and adjusted her golden
tresses. with n sharp pain ut her heart.
and childish fear lest she should be
totally eclipsed just at that moment,
as Edith was about to enter the saloon,
figure glided out from an embrasure
close by and detained her.
just one moment. Miss Walsing-
ham-accept my arm. please, and we'll
go into the conservatory-'ti quiet
| there"
Alice heard the voice and caught a
| glimpse Of the face, and for IN instant
the floor seemed sinking beneath her
feet. 1t was Frank. her own husband.
| What could he want of Edith Walsing-
ham? They went of toward the con-
servatory. and Alice stood for :. mo-
| ment irresoute: then she followed
them with stealthy steps, though her
very fingers tingled with shame at the
meanness of the act. They had enter
ed the conservatory and closed the
| glass door after them, bat Alice could
see them from her standpoint in the
shadow of a blooming acacia--Edith
seated and Frank standing by her side.
You received my note?" he was say
! inc, land you have decided TO take ?"
Yes, certainly, and | thank you,
| too" she replied; sit was kind in you to
! give me the chance"
'Tis pretty thing he continued.
taking something from his pocket,
poor Alice had set her heart upon
having it-shes like child about such
! things. But it can't be helped-sh
mustn't know SO long rs | can keep it
from her, poor child. Here 1t is Miss
| Walsingham and is worthy of your
| beauty-lct me fasten it on for you.
and | won't detain you longer-I
meant to have called at your house
this afternoon but Eve been half be-
| side myself"
Frank bowed and they turned to
come out and rs they did so Alice
caught sight of the spray of snow
drops cleaning on Edith's bosom. A
pang like death pierced her heart, and
| without moan or sound she dropped
down in the shadow of the blooming
acacia When she awoke to con-
sciousueSs they were gone, and she
was alone among the odoreus blossoms
with the music and laughter Of the
revel coming family to her ear. For IA
short time she remained perfectly still,
| thinking it all over. then she arose and
! prepared 10 quit the mansion.
When Frank WintOn returned to his
| house that night from the per-
| formance of some arduous business
| duties that had called him from Lady
Howard's party ut an early hour he
| found it desolate-hiS wife and child
| both gone. The nursery maid handed
! him sealed note. He tore it open
and read as follows:
i know all-you can deceive me no
longer--I am going home to my father"
. Great heavens. has she abandoned
me thus? Oh, Alice, | did not look for
this' and sinking into chair the
strong man sobbed like child.
~ lew utNS lttcl AliCc ItCtNcu a
letter from her husband explaining the
whole affair.
He had failed in business. and hav-
ing bought the pin was obliged to re-
sell it, as he could not pay for it.
A ready purchaser was found in
Miss Walsingham, aud he had tried to
keep the secret from his wife.
In concluding, he said he was going
to Montana 10 seek his fortune. and
bade her an affectionate farewell.
On a crisp October morning, when
all the western forests and the great
Montana mountains cleaned and
glowed with all the gorgeous tintS of
autumn, in rude miners hut Il Young
man lay apparently at the point of
death BY the bedside, bending over
to catch the faintest breath that stole
from his palid lips sat 4 fair woman,
| her cheeks very white, and her blue
eyes wide with terror and despair. All
| day long she sat there, watching. hop
| ing and waiting for one sign of return
| ing consciousness or recognition, but
| the terrible fever grew hotter in his
| veins. and he tossed from one side of
| his couch to the other, moaning in
cessantIy and calling upon his wife's
name.
The old physician watched him for a
| few moments, and then made a sign to
! Alice, who stood by, not daring to
| draw her breath.
1t may kill or cure" he said, ''but
we must risk ii. lie must be reused out
of this; make yoursely known to him."
The wife knelt by the couch, with
streaming tears.
Frank. my husband" she mGrmur-
| ed, passing her hand over his brow.
don't you know me? | am Alice. your
wife--don't you know me. dear?"
| As her voice reached his senses.
| sudden brightness lilled his eyes. he
| put up his hand aud touched her gold
| ell hair.
1t is Alice he murmurcd. Where
am l-at home? Has ali this been
| dreadful drcam?"
Yes, love-" she answered. assur-
ingly, raising her head 10 her bosom;
'and it is all over, and you will soon
| be at home and happy aTain.
He closed his eyes with look OF
unspeakable content. too weak to ask
another question, and in live minutss
he was sound asleep.
"AIl right" said the old doctor; II
may leave him safely now and 60
| home. You can do the rest.
and she did. For, in three months
time, Frank Winton was in his own
home again in England, happy man.
with all the trouble of the past ex-
| planned and forgotten.
And now, Alice" he said Il will
| find Edith Welsingham and buy back
the spray of snowdrops; it shall be
| yours ut last. dear"
But Alice shook her golden head.
| No. Frank. she said Il do not
covet such trinkets any more; there is
my gem-my pure Snowdrop" point
ing to the crib in which her boy Law