The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-12-10

led Ruth 10 believe that the Major now had
living wife and had wickedly deceived her
She did not wait TO hear any explanations from
the Major who was nj that moment IN the
kitchen preparing dose which be hoped would
reviyeller, but left the dwelling after inditing
this little message, which she placed on the
comfortable:
Wretch, Though you have enirapped me into
becoming your second living wife, viii never live
with yOu-you who have bghed my life by a de.
ocption that could never pardon. HeneeioHh 4
RUTH.
The Major was thoroughly perplexed at read
ing this note. Finally it occurred TO him TO ask
Tommy il he had said anything TO the lady.
Tommy frankly gave a resume OF the interview
he had had with her.
Having obtained a clue TO tho matter, the
Major laughed immodcratcly over 10 as an ao-
surd mistake on Ruth's part. AT the same time
he did not doubt that the cloud OF wo that now
enveOped his wife's heart would soon he lifted
by his postponed explanations. But subsequent
circumstances disproved that this conclusion
aud hope of the Majors we're 10 be so easily re-
allied.
That same day he was emphatically denied
admission 10 Ruths home and presence, and
Tor a number of days afterward his knocks upon
the door Of the Aubray mansion received no
response. lie sent Ruth prolix letters detail
ing every episode Of his life, but they were sent
as 10 the sphinx Aud finally one day citizen
Of Cactus Bar informed him that Ruth had in
stitutcd proceedings against him 10 obtain an
absolute divorce.
The two greatest lawyers in the County had
been retained as her counsel. In addition, he
was told that already they had discovered evil
dence against him that would possess sufficient
weight i'm the mind of the Judge TO warrant
him IN granting the woman what she de-
manded.
Some threo months later the case was nre-
scented in court On the very first day OF the
trial Maj. Thompson began 10 lose hope OF re-
fitting the tremendous testimony of the honest
little Tommy, who, in the pictorial language OF
one Of the learned counsel for the prosecution,
was sled hammer Witness
ON the following morning the Major had
scarcely entered the hotel 60 while away the
few minutes that were to elapse before the court
opened when he noticed on the wall flaming
poster bearing the following announcement;
Come one! Come ALI
Aud hear the celebrated Lucy Neley, Ia her new
press praised and peoplepraised lecture,
Evenings al Home
To night at the Town Hall.
The Majors heart auttered A ray OF hope
from the unexpected flashed into his bosom.
lie asked Mr.. Draper, in anything but a calm
/ voice, il the lectures had arrived The land
! lord pompously replied, pulling out his enor-
nous silver watch and comparing while he
/ spoke its record with that of an ugly clock
that clattercd at its own hideous will on an
opposite wall, that she was expected by the
/ Lyceum Committee on the west-bound stage Al
? p. n.
The Major lost no time in informing his
| LAWYER Of the poster which lie had seen in the
! hotel, and Of the significance of his relation
/ snip TO the lecturess, who was the "siedge
/ hammer" Witness mother. The lawyer
] .ssl .ss n IF ~ alta
eyebrows, remarked: There is no longer ans
reason, sir, 10 be concerned. We shall win the
case"
When the court opened the counsel for tho
defense requested his Honor 20 kindly suspend
proceedings Tor a few hours. A material, in fact
an earthquake witness" whom Maj. Thomp
son had thought il wholly impossible 10 Sc
cure, was at this moment only few miles from
Cactus Bar, and would arrive on the next stage
Much 10 the disgust Of the prosecution the good
natured Judge, who was dying for smoke
granted this request.
Not far from two hours aftcrward the stage
/ caplained by Jud Simmons. the only approach
able rival Of Bill SOper. brought Mrs. Lucy
Veley 10 Cactus Bar. The Major his lawyer
| and n representative from the Iycenm Com
| mttee stood in front Of Diapers Hotel 10 wei
come her. Mrs. Neloy was Immediately LED
into a remote corner Of the hotel paror by th'
Major and his attorney, much 20 the discom
future Of Mr.. Egtonell, Of the Lycoum Com
| mttee who had wasted time from his tinsh0p
and had donned a new spicspan paper collar &
receive the great lecturess-in vain.
The Major made known his dilemma 30 hi
sister IN language too terse 10 fall below or Tis
above the range Of her quick understanding
After hasty consultation il was decided tina
Mrs Yeley should 20 alone TO Ruth and eX
plain everything 10 her.
Mrs. Neley accordingly set forth upon he
mission after receiving instructions as 70 th
whereabouts OF the Aubray residence. Burini
his sisters absence the Major paced the floor II
a subdued spasm OF suspense his austere c0un
SCI remaining tho while in an apparently brown
stady-probably trying 10 determine hos
much he could charge the Major Tor his inyalu
able ~ services
In less than an hour Mrs. Veley came bael
to the hotel and with her came Ruth Thomp
son-humblcd. selfrepTOachiul, overcome. Tn
reconciliation between her and the Major en-
sued Ia the hotel parlor, before few priv
legged spectators, who ere sunset had noiscd j
all over the town, so that everyone knel
Ruth's divorce suit would be withdrawn.
That night all the good people Of Cactus b
turned out 10 hear Mrs. Ycey's lecture o.
" Evenings 40 Home" from which she realize
more money than at any other place duTin
hDr seasons tour; aud not the least iutereste
Of her auditors were Major and Mrs. ThomT
son, aud little Tommy, who sat between then