The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1891-04-30
A FAMILY AFFAIR.
BY HUGH CONWAY.
CHAPTER XVIII.

| Liberty, the ''god less heavenly bright
| showed her ia G, the first time for wears.
to Maurice Her ey on the very day when
MISS Clauson and Sylvanus Mcrdle went
to Blacktowp.
Mrs. Miller who had manifested so keen
an interest in the felon's enlargement
remained in complete ignorance of the
happ' event. This W due to no omis
sion on her part She had written twice
to the go ernor Of Portland, begging that
the date of the convict's release might be
made known to her. The letters were
dated not from Oakbury but from some
pla in London. The first letter was
duly acknowledged, and the Information
youchsafed that the date could not lie
exactly fixed, To the second letter sh.
received no reply. The reason for such
apparent discourtesy was this:
Inc day OF the man S emancipation was
drawing very near, so he was told that
his friend had written, and he was asked
II ne wished to be sent to London t. meet
her? He cast down his es and in
respectful way stated that he was sorry
to say that he attributed his present
shameful position to certain evil counsel
which the writer had given him, and
which he had followed. He did not wish
to be sent to London, lut would rather
avoid tn wo nan than seek her. After
this avowal Mrs. Millers letter rema ned
unanswered.
so, practically, a free man, Maurice
Hervey stood in the street, Oh the second
day of the new year. The first use he
made of his liberty and money was char.
ac eristic, and l fear may awaken indul.
gent sympathy In tie minds of the ma or.
lty or man. mot woman kind. He went
into a tobacconist and bought a nine
penny cigar. He lit it, sat down upon
chair in the shop and for some minute
smoked in blissful contentei silence.
After few more purchases needed by
gentleman for his toilet, he found his
money had dwndled down to very little.
tie had, however, enough left to buy a
shiny black bag. Into this he tumbled
MS parcels, and hailing hanson paid his
last shilling to be conveyed to the door of
wei known hotel. luxrious dog this
convict,
He engaged bedroom. He ordered
dinner OF which even Horace Herbert
might nave approved He rang for hot
water and spent half an hour soaking his
hardened and disigured hands. He
scow ed as he realized the painful fact
>-'>N hN'' ~ SabOlo vi llOI water and
month of time must be expended be rore
these badly used members in any wav
resumed Their original appearance. Then
without a shilling in his pocket. he went
to his dinner, with which he drank bot
tie champagne.
lie spent tie evening smoking the hotel
cigars, and drinking the hotel whisky and
water. Pleasant as these occupations
were, he retired to rest early. Besides
he murmured, as he sunk off to sleep.
there Is n need for foolery of any kind.
am master OF tie situation. | can eat.
drink and be merry for the rest O. nv
Ii e."
In the morning, after breakfast, it oc
Cured to Hervey that a moneyless man
staying at hotel is In rather a precari-
GUS position. Pleasant as was 3 newly
found liberty, there was work to be done
before he could with clear conscience
EN- oy it. So he sailed forth. tr.dged
through number of streets, and at last
reached quiet back road full of unpre
tending little houses. At one of tiese
houses he inquired for Miss Martin. who
had lodged there some four or hve wears
ago. Miss Martin, he was informed. had
lett ever so long-left without giving an
address Herve, IS heart grew sick.
Inc woman or the house, who noticed
his dismay, added that the shop at the
corner might know what had become Of
MI Martin; so to the shop he went. DC
was in luck. He learned that his friend |
llVed about mile away; more Jyer that
she was now Mrs. Humphreys. He
walked to the new address, that of anoth- |
or little house in another quiet street. He |
A gocd-l oking, respec able
young woman, carrying baby, and fol-
loved by toddling child, opened the
loor' ohe gave a low cry and staggered
PACK against the wall. Hervey raised his
nat WIN mock politeness, and without
MUTATION entered the house. The woman
,alleu 10 some one, who came and relieved
,er Oh her children. She then opened the
ioor oi sitting-room, into witch she TO-
owed her visitor Heryey threw himself
Pm chair, and looked at the woman WITH
sa'irical smile. As yet not word had
passed between them. The man was the
hrst to break sileuce
wei, Fanny" he said mock ngy, $50
you are married, and have forgot te me?n
mo; l am trying to forget YOU" She
spoke bitterly.
ana you can't That's a compliment.
the years of separa ION. -
ne woman looked at h IN in the face.
Maurice, she said, II am married.
married. a kind, tree man, who 10 es me,
ina works for me and for our children.
de knew great deal not all. about INV
past yet he ok me and trusts me. You
WI sneer when l tell you am trying To
'e good woman and a good wife. You
'iways sneered at anything cool. But.
haurice for the sake OF what we were
nee to &C other, spare me now. Let
ne i've IN peace, and see you no more
MY dear girl" he said. al h we no
'i'h 10 tempt your feet ON tho paths of
Iohestic virtae-no wish TO harm YOU.
ave inner fish to fry. But you may re.
u Smoer taat when circumstances render.
IL lmpcratiye-cuIse 1t. | can sneak
ia MY 10 you-when learned that the
variant was out, when l knew that the
anne was up, placed a tile packet in
our fond hands to Keep until better
ines. Where is it,
Inc woman flushed, and for a moment
i'd not answer.
ne saw tie flush, saw the hesitation.
NJ, OF eour e, attributed both to the
'rong m tie. His brow grew black.
ny I'd" he cried, ~ 1t is not forth.
oming-r