Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1891-06-13

''Just one moment. Miss Walsing-
bam-accept my arm. please. and well
go into the conseryatory--'tis quiet
there"
Alice heard the voice aud caught a
glimpse OF the face. and for an instant
the noor seemed sinking beneath her
feet. 1t was Frank. her own husband.
What could he want OF Edith Walsing-
hamP They went of toward the con-
seryatory. aud Alice stood for !. mo-
ment irresolute; then she followed
them with stealthy steps, though her
'ery fingers tingled with shame at the
neanness Of the act. They had enter
ID the conservatory and closed the
glass door after them. but Alice could
zee them from her standpoint in the
shadow OF blooming acacia-Edith
seated and Frank standing by her side.
You received my notc?" he was say
ng. ''and you have decided 10 take it?"
Yes, certainly. and thank you.
oo.n she replied; lit was kind in you to
give me the chance"
'Tis pretty thing" he continued,
.aking something from his pocket,
poor Alice had set her heart upon
having it-she's like child about such
.hings. But it can't be helped she
mustn't know so long rs / can keep it
rom her. poor child. Here 1t is Miss
Wnlsingham and is worthy of your
beauty--let me fasteu it on for you.
and won't detain you longer--I
meant to have called at your house
Ibis afternoon. but I've been half be-
side myself"
Frank bowed and they turned to
come out aud rs they did so Alice
caught sight of the spray OF snow
irops cleaning on Edith's bosom. A
pang like death pierced her heart and
without a moan or sound she dropped
iown In the shadow Of the blooming
acacia. When she awoke to con-
sciousness they were gone. and she
was alone among the Odorous blossoms
with the music and laughter OF the
revel coming family to her ear. For a
short time she remained perfectly STILL
thinking it all over, then she arose and
prepared to quit the mansion.
When Frank Winton returned to his
house that night from the per-
formancc Of some arduous business
! iuties that had called him from Lady
HowarIs party at an early hour. he
| found it desolate-his wife and child
both gone. The nursery maid handed
him sealed note. He tore 1t open
aud read as follows:
Il know all-you can deceive me no
louger--I am going home to my father. "
Great heavens. has she abandoned
me thus? Oh, Alice did not look for
thisl' and sinking into chair the
strong man sobbed like child.
|
A few days later Alice received 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 il
Miss Walsingham, aud he had tried tC
keep the secret from his wife.
In concluding, he said he was going
to Montana to seek his fortune. ant
babe her an affectionate farewell.
Op crisp October morning, wher
all the western forests aud the grea
Montana mountains cleaned anC
glowed with all the gorgeous tints o
autumn. in rude miners hut youn!
man lay apparently at the point o
death. By the bedside. bending owe
to catch the faintest breath that stol
from his palid lips sat fair woman
her cheeks very white. aud her blu
eyes wide with terror aud despair. Al
day long she sat there. watching hop
ing and waiting for Que sign of return
ing consciousness or recognition. bu
the terrible fever grew hotter in hi
veins. and he tossed from one side o
7 his couch to the other. moaning ia.
cessantly and calling upon his wiie''
name.
The old physician watched him for :
few moments. aud then made a sign L
Alice, who stood by, not daring tt
draw her breath.
1T may kill or cure" he said. "bu
We must risk it, he must be reused on
of this; make yourse!y known to him.
The wife knelt by the couch, will
streaming tears.
Frank, my husband she murmur
ed, passing her hand over his brow
don't you know meP / am Alice. you
wife--don't you know me. dearP"
As her voice reached his senses,
sudden brightness filled his eyes. h,
put up his hand and touched her gold
en- hair.
1T is Alicc!" he murmured. "Wber'
am lat home? Has all this been
dreadful dream?"
"Yes, love-" she answered. assur
ingly. raising her head to her bosom
land il is all over. aud you will sool
be at home and happy again"
He closed his eyes with look o
unspeakable content. too weak TO asl
another question. and in five minuts
he was sound asleep.
'.All right "a the old doctor; =.
may leave hin, safely now and g
home. Yon can do the rest.
| And she did. For. 10 three months
time. Frank Winton was in his owl
home again in England. happy man
with all the trouble of tho past ex
planned and forgotten.
And now. Alice.h Inc said. II vii
find Edith Welsingham and buy bacl
the spray of snowdrops; it shall b
yours at last, dear"
But Alice shook her golden head.
mo. Frank" she said. Il do no
covet such trinkels any more; there !
NV gcn-my pure snowdrop" point
ing TO the crib in which her boy In
aslcep.-N y. World.
1