The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-07-31

But, despite this codici1, went down
| into the valley in which Gideon Lees
homestead stood before 1 had been at
home day. 1t was sunset when ]
reached it, but the light did not as OF
yore gid the panes of the upper win
dows to sheets Of FURNISHED gold. Every
| shutter was closed and the house seemed
to frown upon me. The garden had run
wild; the fields lay desolate; the broken
branches of the orchard trees told
of boyish depreciation. Strange cattle
grazed in the meadow and Royer's ken
mel was empty. The sight brought tears
to my eyes. / went up the old porch
and found there, wet with rain and
tangled in the relics Of last years vine, q
scarlet ribbon, one Madge must have
worn. | put it in my bosom and came
away. No one could tell me anything
Of Gideon Lees children, except what
the empty house had told me-that they
were gone.
had lost them; and what did I care
that all the country place besides well
coined me home? Gideons smile would
have been more to me than all their
greetings, and Madge would have given
me kiss that had true love in it.
l was not happy; could not be gay.
l could not care for anything very much.
lived quiet life for two long years,
and, let those call me cold and proud who
would, was not cold, but those who
cOurted me were Gideon Lees enemies,
and had prosecuted pretty Madge since
her very birth, and had done their inno-
cent father to death, and hated them
for it, though l said nothing.
But at last, one bright morning, walk
ing up the road to look at the desolate
dwelling where [ had learned to love
Gideon Lees children, saw change
in it. The windows were open; a man
was at work in the garden. Three fig
ures in travelling costume had just en-
tered the porch and carriage stood at
the gate.
l knew Gideon's tall figure at glance,
butwho was this-superb, glowing, beau
tiful, with a look of triumph on her
face-who came toward me? And who
was that old man with the strange, sar-
castle smile, that fancied l had seen
before?
AS L advanced I knew that it was
Madge who ran to meet me-Madge,
grown to be magnificent waman-
Madge, who kissed me as Of yore, but
more gladly, and who left me in a mo-
ment alone with Gideon and drew the
stranger away with her.
And Gideon held my hand, and l could
only say, cit has been very long, Gideon"
and try and hide my tears.
at has been long for me, Agnes" he
said. And then there was pause. He
broke it by kneeling down beside me,
with my hands in his as set on the low
step of the porch.
you are Miss Agnes Grey" he said,
land the world honors you. I am the
son of the man who was hanged. Even
now, loving you as do-as l have all
this weary while-that stands between
us, barrier you could not cross. Is it
not so? Were | all else, and so worthy
Of you, should still be Gideon Lee, and
an Outcast, branded with Gains brand
upon the forehead, and you could neither
love nor wed me!'
Could say Il love you?" 1t was not
In maidenhood to do that. It was i'm
possible. trembled; | faltered; l only |
said these words: at is an unjust brand |
unjust and cruel. My eyes never see
it, Gideon LeeI"
He showered fond kisses on my hands, |
but he spoke again.
"Do you dare to do it, Agnes-to love !
IN Outcast man; to bring upon yourself |
and hate; to relinquish wealth |
ior the humble life of simple farmer? |
IS your love strong enough for this?
Will you never repent?
"Never," said.
''When your gold is gone, your land
lnother's, your friends turned to enc
MES and your name, your very name,
Agnes-that Of the man who was hang
,d?' he asked slowly. Think! can you
bear that ignominy? l know how ter
ible it is.
And l took my hands from his and
aid them on his broad shoulders and
aid-but no matter what | said. |
lave forgotten the words that told him
hat l loved him too well to doubt my
courage to bear anything for his dear
axe.
But suddenly, as he lnelt there look
ng up into my eyes, saw look in his
ace that L could not underestimate look
hat made me cry out and begin to
remble; and 1 saw others draw near;
nd l saw Madge clasp her brothers
and, and the old man held out both of
is to me.
eve have been parted five years, said
iideon. in that time l have been
for something that | believed
lust be hidden in the wide world. !
ave found it,"
Gideon, tell me" cried.
Gould any earthly thing but enc en-
olden me to speak as nave spoken to
ou:" said Gideon. DO you think that (
would ever have offered any woman a |
anne that would nave maze ner an out
asst? That which 1 sought, that which
found, was living proof of my dear
ather's innocence. Look! do you know
his man? Have you no recollection OF ,
im."
and l turned my eyes upon the old I
nan, who had taken my hand in his, |
nd knew that locked upon my uncle !
Iathew.
The whole town knows the story now.
le has told them how, yielding to his :
'aEdering impulses, he left, as he had i
ons once before. the home aEd friends .
t his early manhood, and-fsr from 81 /