Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-07-08

now, mean to ive-to live for and with
my Frank"
"Bravo!" cried Job. aNow you are
talking like man of sense, and as I Like
to hear you"
At this moment Miss Denman came to
say the room was in readiness.
Florence apologized for the trouble and
disturbance he had caused.
''You are so happy here it seems .
shame to bring the burden Of my sorrows
under your roofr'
@But you will soon be as happy as we
are" interrupted Job. gently; you with
your brother, and with my sister"
Florence smiled in a dreamy way. He
seemed to see new home, a peaceful
dwelling, Frank and himself it's sole in
mates.
ut is late" said Denman cheerfully.-
ITO bed with you'll"
Jobs room was large and airy; simply
furnished, but exquisitely fresh and
clean. The old cashier looked about it
with pride. a glass of water was on
small table at the head Of the bed, and
case of razors lay on the dressing-table
ready for use.
look, Florence, and see if you have
all you want. think everything is here,
but if you need anything open the draw
out at the view; you can't see much of it
tonight, but in the morning when you
wake, you will find it is really very fine
And now, good night sleep well!"
AS the old man was closing the door, his
friend called him pack.
"Job!"
The good man waited. Florence COL
ored slightly, his lips moved, but no words
were heard; then, with great effort, he
said:
Never mind, nothing. Tomorrow will
do"
In the dining-room the brother and sis
ter talked seriously and long in low voices.
Job told Of the terrible occurrences of the
evening. and described Sylvia's appear
ance. Finally, one of them locked the
garden gate. fastened the hall door, and
Job established himself in a small room
next his sisters.
In the middle Of the night, the cashier
was awakened by a frightened call from
his sisters room.
What is it? he asked. starting Up.
odd you hear anything!"
mo; what was itl"
ooh. II was flightful-a groan, so full
Of agony; it came from your room below.
They listened the rain was coming down
in torrents, and rafting among the foliage
and on the windows.
ut was the wind" said Job.
mo it was not. Hark"
And in a momentary hush of the storm
they heard the wall of a human voice.
Frank! Frankr'
A superstitious terror took possession of
Miss Denman.
Il am frightened" she said. go and
see"
mo. no; he is thinking of his brother.
Poor fellow! but that thought will do him
more good than any thing else"
And the old cashier turned over and
went TO sleep again.
In the morning he awoke as usual. His
sister was feeding the poultry, but when
she saw Job she hurried towards him.
at is strange" she said nervously,
"but I do not hear the least sound in our
guests room, and yet the window is wide
open"
job somewhat astonished, knocked at
the door,
Florence! Florence" He called again
with some anxiety: 'Are you still sleep
ing2"
No answer came, and he opened the
door. The room was deadly cold; the
window had evidently been open for some
time At the first glance at the bed Den
man thought: ''iie sat up all night
The coverings of the bed were undisturb-
ed, and every detail of the apartment re-
vealed night of sleeplessness. The
lamp was still smoking; the glass of wa
ter was empty, bat what most disturbed
the cashier was the sight of the drawer
in Which he had deposited the package
wide open and empty.
The package lay on the table, and con-
tanned some photographs of Sylvia taken
when she was but fifteen. The simple
muslin dress, high to the throat, the hair
parted over the pretty forehead, the
slightly awkward attitude, bore little re-
semblance to the Sylvia of later days; and
1t was exactly for that reason that Flor
ence had kept these photographs.
Job was overwhelmed with consterna-
ton.
1T is my fault" he said; 81 ought to
have locked them up. But who would
vowed that this woman no longer existed
for him"
AT this moment his sister entered.
''He has gone." she cried.
Gomez Impossible! The gate was
locked"
But he climbed over the wall; it is
quite evident. the marks are there"
Job looked llankly at her
1T is that letter." he muttered.
1t was plain that this communication
| from Sylvia had given her husband some
astounding intelligence, and in order not
| to disturb his hosts, he had left the house,
| like a burglar, through a window. But
where had he gone?
You will see" said poor Job, as he has
! tily swallowed some breakfast, that his
| abOminable wretch of wife has played
| him some fresh trick
And when his sister offered him some
| few words of comfort he shook his head
| despailingly.
Il have no confidence" he murmured,
returning to his old formula
On the earth, soaked by the heavy rain
of the night. Florence's steps were to be
| seen to the garden gate. He had gone be-
fore daylight. for the flowers were in some
| places crushed by his feet. and the walls
was marked where he had climbed upon
it. Once outside, it was impossible to
trace him.
why need we disturb ourselves2" said
Miss Denman at length. He has pro-
baby gone back to the factory"
job shook his head. He dared not give
utterance to his thoughts and fears.
Return to the house," he said sadly,
"and l will go up the road and ascertain
if anyone has seen him."
At this time in the morning there are
not many people to be met on the road
leading to Hammersmith Bridge; but Job
saw a small group gathered there. and in
stinctively turned his steps in that direc-
| ton. As he drew nearer he saw the toll
keeper standing outside his little lodge.
4