The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1892-02-06

mind on her work, or on the interest
ing book. which lay before her, with
its leaves freshly cut, at is certainly
time he were home: he never remains
ont ns late as this" she thought.
nnNiously, MS eleven struck from the
little time piece on the mantel
A few moments more OF impatient
waiting. then IA step sounded ON tn.
walk. Bertha turned, with II glad
smile OF welcome. which was quickly
replaced by II look OF surprise and
alarm rs John cn,-roi the room. and
tott,ring to tho nearest chair.
sank down upon IL. His face looked
pale and ghnstly ia tn. rudy freight.
aud his whole frame shook and
trcmblcd as with an aguc chill.
ooh, joint what is tho matter!
Arc you sick. dcary" cried Bertha.
Fastening toward him. Hut hs pu,
mp his arm ieubly. as II to keep her
away.
Don't come near me. Bertha" he
said. hoarscly: 81 have that TO tell
which will make you hat. me. !
know"
John. John. are YOU mnd' Don't
talk ia this way. Nothing can exc,
y
Not when tell you that ! hav.
,lissrnccd my fair namc-dis;rao.i
You. iicrtha' hut. my child. ain
irisht.nin. you with all this rambling
talk, :" he continued. noticing licr'hn'r
pale. anxious inr.. II will max. my
confession at once. then judge mo as
you will.
after leaving homo this cvcnin. !
wen, dircctlyto simoi-' and collected
nay money. fifty dollars or more.
then. on my way down mo,
two or three old friends. who
wished me happy New Year. aud
asked m- TO take n social glass with
them. did so. and soon our party
increased To- five or siS. Each new.
conner had to lie received with good
wishes. md stand "A treat. @! course.
III. night was cold, the room where
w w.r- assembled warm and ch-ury.
.na III. company N~.,y. ~oA-~o.s.
Bertha, you can guess tho rest.
II lorso, the warm iir-.iica at home.
aud III. dear little vito who was wait.
ing FOR me th.r-. forgot everything.
rNc-p. the pl-asur, and excitement al
the moment. aud drank glass after
glass Of the fiery liquid, until wr- on
the ycpsr Of intoSirA'ion. l knew i;
tho moment that stepped out q. the
door iuto the cool air. had ria.s.rt.
81 ON but short distance when !
heard quick steps behind me. ,urns-i
but not soon enough. ] felt n
queer. stiHgius sensation in tho back
Of my head. aud know no more.
When cane to myself ! was lying
rs ih. roadside. I was dizzy and
faint. hut tito blos which ! received
had sobcr-'l inc. and knew even br.
ioru put my hand to my pocket.
thn, had been robbed. ] had care
ls-sly displayed my money ut the bar.
aud somconc had followed and taken
IL from me. IL was all gone. aud OF
course the means of getting your little
ciit with IL. ! came straight home.
determined TO tell you all, even u II
Hhouli make YOU hate me. have
dIssrlr.j you. ilcriha-"
John" interrupted HE wife. Don't
talk so. dear, II il wrong for you TO
speak such words. pity you. my
poor darling. aud honor you for nc.
kuowlclgins your error. II Is hard
lesson. John. bu; hope Il will have
It's good effect. Now that you have
come to inc for sympathy aud help.
will you not accept the advice have
to oiicr. dcHtl"
"oIndly. Bertha" was the quick
response.
Jus, then tho little clock ciimod out
twelve silyery strokes.
Listen, John said Bertha. 1.-THE
old year with oil its cares md
;roublcs-nnd they have been few.
thank Heaven, compared with Our
Joys. .iohn-hns vanished into IL.
past; The New Year il upon Va. LIT
is begin It rightly. You have agreed
to accept my advice. dear: then sign
tho pledge which you have always
scorned so. Bring i; to me tomorrow
for New Years gift, aud | shall be
the hnppiest little wife in tho wide
world. Will you. dcnr2"
Indeed will. darling. gladly, for !
feel the need of 1t for a safeguard now
-nlns' for my bonstcd honor and
strength OF character. w. are nonu
50 strong but that We may fall, little
wife"
John kept hi. promise. aud Bertha
never hal cause to regret her New
Years gift.