Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1892-10-13
moments was so "nutterably Lear to

go closely resembled death that it had
boan considered advisable not tn add
70 Elsie's agiiated state by communi-
catinr the truth to her until a change
for the better or worse should have
taken place.
stony calm. Her bright color had
faded away INTO a giiostly white n
her larre c,es looked wen larger D
brichtcr for the dark lines which an
olish had traced beneath them.
z One morning. as the door opened TO
admit /. evillagc doctor and the sheriff.
they fixed themselves, with mournful
ousstion in their sad depths, first upon
one face. and then upon the other.
.Nrs. Mlrclmont,' said the doctor,
looking ut her keenlv, Il have good
news for YOU. Your husband VIII
live. He has been insGnSibie since his
accident until now; but he has come
TO himself. and calls constantly Tor
you"
With n thrilling cry, as Elsie COM
pretended the meaning OF the words
which conveyed the blissful truth 10
her, she threw herself upon her knees.
..Oh. God, | thank Thee! Thou
hast given me more than lie! Ihou
hast -
..Quick! Bring water! she has faint
edro
Before he could reach her, she lay
white as a crushed lily upon the hoor;
hui a peaceful smile fingered around
her delicately-cut tremulous lips told
of a mind at rest. .
Gerald was coavalescent. His wife
had left the room for a moment Inc
doctor who had attended him through
his illness was seated beside him.
..Marchmont.' he asked, suddenly,
edo YOU remember anything about the
appearance of your assailant!
Yes" answered the young man,
with n painful red rising and coloring
his forehead, ''but it is a subject Of
which | prefer not to speak. Why do
you askPn he said, as a glance at his
I~nterIocutor's face showed an ex-
preston upon it wnich struck him rs
strange.
The doctor said. confusedly:
alt is nothing. A mere feeling OF
Curiosity
Gerald looked at him keenly.
..Doctor May" he said, there Ia
something on your mind. As you
value the friendship of n poor fellow
who but for you would be sleeping
his last sleep, tell me the truth" And
he put out his wasted hand, and took
one of the doctors in it, IN matter"
he continued; 'Tf it concarn w.
est and dearest"
HIS WORD Frr -ur
ears like i - 50
''CouN -
thought 10 nImseT.
Then, with asu,lden resolve to probe
to the bottom of affairs, he responded
to Gerald Marchmont's question.
..As YOU request it, | will tell you
all. Mrs. Marchmunt accused herself,
aud-aud--L.c was i~nrGrcerated nnul
the effect Of your wounds became
known
1t was with an effort he concluded; for
Gerald had started from his reclining
position, his weakness forgotten. The
veins upon his forehead swelled. He
painted for breath in his anger and ex-
element.
Glow did they darer" he exclaimed
'.Mv Elsie! She would die for me any
mOmantI"
But at this iuncture Elsie entered the
room again, and, with an effort Gerald
Gained himself, so that she might not
notice his agitation.
just then a murmur of voices was
heard without. The body of a man
had been discovered in a piece of
woodland at a little distance from the
cottage. Upon his person had been
found a set of burglars tools, and a
watch with Gerald Marchmont's name
engraved upon it, and public opinion
at once pointed to him as the person
who had SO nearly added murder to
robbery. The cause of his death was
a singular n His foot had caugat
in S spring trap set for game, and he
had fallen forward upon his face in a
pool of water scarcely a foot ia depth.
But that had been as fatal to him as
would have been the deepest lake. for
he had been unable to extricate himself,
aud had thus unexpectedly paid the
penalty for his crimes. and had gone
TO meet his everlasting punishment.
Darling" asked Gerald, when the
rObber had been identified, aud had
been placed in the bosom of our COM
mon earth, whose merciful arms open
alike to receive the just and the unjust
- darling, why did you say it was
you who had committed that awful
crimePn
Elsie threw her arms around her hus-
bands neck.
at was true! Eben Longley was
your wOuld-be assassin. and it was for
revenge upon me that he added assault
to robbery. Had you not married me
he would not have touched you. Oh.
Gerald! are you never sorry your poor
Elsie won your heart-that o had
not left me 10 grow up among the
wicked ones where you found mep"
my dar.ing!" and Gerald pressed
his lips fondly to her rosy mouth as he
whispered: Love levels all ranks:
and now that the INSCRIPTIONS man is
dead who,~ concealing his real charact-
er, WOE Your unsuspecting sisters
love, and married her to break her
heart-nOw that he has followed his
victim 10 "A higher tribunal, you surely
need shrink no longer from going with
your husband out in the world; for YOU
cannot think that the crimes ofanother
EVEN though a connection--have any
power to render your character less
pure and lovely in any right-thinking
persons eyes. Do not urge me to re-
main any longer in this secluded re-
treat: but come with me, nv Elsie,
where ! can openly acknowledge the
pride and love l feel for my chosen
wife,
Elsie's ewes SLED with tears as she
listened. But she said. pleadiugEy:
Not yet, Gerald. Give me time to
educate myself up to your own stand
ard. will study faithfully and earn
estiy; and then, when YOU can intro
dnce me, a cultivated woman. to vour
friends, | will go with you willingly"
A few years later, when Mr.. and
Mrs. Gerald Marchmont returned from
abroad, the stately beauty of the ao-
eompllshed wife was raved about in
fashionable circles; and not alone there.
but in that exclusive society whose
charmed precincts open to admit only
those whose intellect gives them the
riglt OF eHtrec, Elsie reigned a queen.
Her desired probation had been re-
warded. Gerald was indeed proud of
his choice.
roat 90 nltE.-