The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1891-04-23

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when we went into raptures over it
she took it very quietly.
This is the way | make my living
she said.
The Catholic churches where I sing
want good music, and they pay for it.
Then she went on and sang little
snatchcs from her church soloS-sucI
lovely things | never dreamt of be
fore.
when We went to cur room that
night VIII said:
I've telcgraphed for Weldon
Il took him by the throat. Now.
said, I'll choke you till you tell me
all about her. ="
Mrs. Strong paused
Now, 20 on"
1T is a short and simple story. Six
teen years ago Tom Weldon came ia
Long Flat with bis pretty young wife
and baby, and commenced 10 build the
White Ridge ditch. the one we own in
now. you know. He was very proud
Of his wife. and built her a pretty
home little out of town on Red Hill.
She had piano, the only one in
the mountains then, and when Won
Wilder, Il handsome Young fellow,
came up from MaIysyille to survey or
the ditch, and brought Il violin and
guitar, he soon took to spending his
evenings on Red Hill. The only music
/ in the country was what those two
! made SO you couldn't blame him much.
! VIII says Weldon was furiously ieal-
| Gus from the first, and made her un-
happy without the shadow of an ex-
! cuSe.
One night lie came home late, and
! found them singing together at u
o'clock. Some say he struck her
anyhow there WAS furious scene; and
the next night the baby died suddenly
of Group.
People said that she never left it
till it was covered in the ground; then
she kept by herself and never COM
planned. She didn't notice her hus-
band or any one poor thing.
But Weldon acted like il fool. He
accidently met Won Wilder in the bar
room at the hotel and Won Wilder
was showing Il fine diamond ring to a
crowd. 1t seems Mrs. Weldon had
one Just like it, her engagement ring
Weldon rushed home like madman
and demanded it. The woman who
was with her said she rose up as cool
as an icicle and said:
Tom Weldon. my enga cement
ring has gone where my heart is. and
hope with it as long as you act in this
way
That was all-nobody knew what
ferest in the ditch the same dav
l. I.
but not to hurt him and left town.
There WAS great scandal about
her; everybody thought that Won
Wilder had her ring, and the little
wretch denied it in such a feeble man
ner that no one believed him. She
s~,I and her l. az, furniture, took her piano,
Daby's crave was never marked, the
house was moved down aud became
part of the hotel"
And Wcidon?'
%. he went down to the county seat,
bought and sold mines. then he went to
the railroad town Of W. and had
MI the benefit Of the valley boom. He's
a rich man. been in the Legislature
twice, and Il popular man, too-they
say taat he's rs moderate as lie used to
be ha>ty.n
And he never applied fora divorce?"
%. no.
And yon teIegraphed him the ring
was fouud?'
Yes, and he answered Hold her
I'm coming"
You can't keep anything still up
here, and every one was on the look
out for the stare the next day"
Every one in town aud the country,
too, | venture to say
Yes the miners struggled in and
the girls stayed home from school; but
Weldon came through about two hours
before the stage witn his own team.
He drove straight to our house. but
there were three men there ready TO
take the horses. Poor horses-they
had been driven nearly to death
But about him?"
He was fiue-lookinm man. but as
much too gay for 10 rs she looked too
young for 35"
Never mind how he looked" cried
| impatiently. What did he do?"
Strong took him straight down to
the hotel and got him the ring, and
there were plenty there to corroborate
the story.
Mrs. Weldon seemed glad to stay
with me. She had come up to the old
town to rest, she said, away from
scholars and concerts. and if | would
keep her she would be so glad
Strong told me not to let her know
what he had done till the last. but
when | SAW them start back from the
hotel thought ought to prepare
her. She looked lovely; she h i on
long trailing dress of cream cashmere
and black velvet. and she seemed so
reserved and refined | hardly knew
how to approach her.
80 put my arm around her waist
and said: "There is someone coming
] think You know and led her TO the
front window.
She drew her breath and caught
my iand like child, and dropped her
head on my shoulder, and looked at
them all the time as they came up the
hill and along the path to the gate--it
was Just like holding 4 little frigEten-
ed trembling bird in your hand.
Tom Weldon looked very hand
some aud grand in his fine clothes be-
side my husband in his everyday coat,
but was very proud of my good Will
just then, | can tell You"
"Ges-go on.
We'll, when they came to the gate
he looked up and saw her lying in my
arms; then she shivered us if she was
cold and drew herself up aud shrank
iuto my laced curtains, and there she
stood proud and still when they came
in.
'Will beckoned me to come out but
she caught my sleeve and impiorcd me
with look to stay.
Tom Weldon stood in the middle Of
the room holding his hat aud overcoat.
Then she turned to him quite calm
and cool, aud sail with Il world OF bit
ternesS in her voice:
And did YOU lind your ring at last?
Are YOU convinced now? Why should
want your ring when yon thought
me untrue? | thought baby ougat to>
L