The Wahpeton times., 1891-02-05

ing hand of the wounded m an, Ellm
Graham pledged the vows which were
destined to be dissolved almost in the
moment of their utterance; for the
ceremony was scarcely completed, when
General Euston sank back and expired.
Scarcely realizing the strange event
of the last hour, the widowed bride
clasped her recovered treasure to her
heart, and retired with Clara to the
privacy of her own apartment.
CHAPTER vi.
THE wANDERER's RETURN,
Four years have passed away since
the day of that tragic accident which
gave back her young protegee to
Ellinor's companionship and control.
They have been spent by herin seclu-
sion from gay society, though the few
chosen friends sheclaimed were received
by her both at her house in town, and
her cottage in the country, where all
her summers were spent.
Mrs. Customs oldfriends, Mr. Linden
and his daughter, still lived alone, for
Ernest had evaded all their entreaties
to return to his native land. The
form of the father was bowed with
years, and his venerable head seemed
to become OF q more silvery hue with
every letter from the absent son, re-
fusing the one yearning cry of his aged
heart--the PRAYER for onel last embrace,
before mother Earth claimed her worm
out son.
A singular mystery still shrouded
Ernest Linden's sudden marriage. 1t
was known to his friends that he
avoided his countrymen; that he had
even, on more than one occasion, re-
fused to receive those who had been
we'll knownto him before his departure
from the United States.
But the yearning heart would no
longer be crushed down. 'Iet me
look on them once more, and then
die," was the cry that would be heard
and he wrote to his father that he
would return by the next steamer.
1t was like the return OF the Prodi-
gal Son. Every preparation which
could gratify his pride or his affections
was made for his reception; the near
friends of the family assembled be-
meath the paternal roof to offer him a
cordial welcome. But, in the midst of
their expectation, briefnote came to
Mrs. Harper, begging that they might
be received strictly EN- familie, as his
wife had severely suffered from the sea
voyage, and she was unwilling to see
any one except his father and sister.
His wishes were as laws in his own
family. Those who had assembled to
greet him hurridly departed, and soon
afterward a carriage, with the blinds
lowered, was driven to the door.
Ashley ascended the steps, he spoke,
in a low tone
"Amelia, you are an inimitablc act.
ress, and / coniure you to make an
effort to realize the impression have
given my family concerning you. For
Heavens sake curb your fantastic
nature, and do not break my fathers
heart showing
"NIy real SELF" broke in his compan-
ion, abruptly. "It was not my wish
that you should have made me other
than | am. They must see my true
nature sooner or later, so where is the
use OF deception now? No; let all the
horror of the little brown, ugly, ill-bred
creature burst on them at once"
AS they entered the hall, the father
and daughter met the long absent one
with a welcome that melted his heart
and drew tears from his eyes. Tender
caresses were also lavished upon the
fur-clad lady, who received them pas
slvely, and did not utter word in re-
ply.
Mrs. Linden was allow, heavily made
woman, with very dark complexion,
and quantity of ill-arranged, lustre-
less hair. Some faint resemblance
could be traced to the protrait which
hung upon the library wall; but to the
ideality of the artist the picture owed
all the charms it possessed-for
charms the original certainty had not;
even the redeeming one of q bright ex-
preston was Warrington a more
unfriendly and disagreeable glare could
not have flashed from the eyes of q
foe than now met the gaze of her new
relatives.
In place of the elegant, stylish-look-
ing woman they were prepared to well
come, was this insignificant little
dowdy, evidently ready to take offence
| wv oAAS 'AA6AeSSo OA ~ SSoAOA VI OlStp.
pointment.
The proud sister grew pale, and the
father grasped for breath; but he
glanced at the suffering face of his son,
and recovered composure sufficiently
to say
"Kiss me, my daughter, and let me
again welcome you to your husbands
home. You have made my beloved
son happy, and have my thanks"
She did not move, but, with with
ering sneer, pointed to Ernest and
said
Happy! ha! ha! Look at him!
much happiness has he indeed found
with me!' And sitting suddenly down
in large rocking chair, she COM
menced oscilliating to and fro with
great rapidity.
(To BE coNTINuED.)
The Fear of Disease as a Pre-.