Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1892-04-14

of Margarst's life. for never unul1 then
had he left her for a single night
When she asked I'm why he stayed so
long. and he said that he could not tell
her then, the little white cloud became
a large, dark cloud of suspicion. And
when she heard at last. by an anony-
nous letter. that the case was in some
way connected with woman to whom
formerly he had been engaged. the
cloud of suspicion took the black and
hideous form of jealousy.
1t was a hard blow which some
cowardly hand had dealt that happy
home, but IL did it's work well Poor
Margaret was overcome by grief and
anger. and in her hour of despair she
tooksthe step that brought dreariness
into two lives for many years after.
Where could she GO? To whom could
she turn? There was only one-her
father He would share her grief.
The wind was bowling dismally
without, an appropriate accompani-
ment to the storm that was raging
within Margaret's heart She went to
the window and drew up the curtain.
The pitchy darkness awed her. The
first great drops of shower were
splashed against the window pane and
they startled her. With no light in the
room, she stood gazing ont into the
ominous darkness of the night. A ter
rible sense of her loneliness was steal
ing over her, for she knew that her
husband would not return for nearly
three hours. She was startled from her
dream by fash of lightning, and then
the harsh clap of thunder which fol-
lowed made her recoil and draw the
draperies of the window about her.
Another fash soon followed, and by its
sudden light she saw their carriage
coming up the driveway. She started
and muttered: Eyes. Just the thing"
&c. turning quickly, she rang the bell
for her maid.
Tell Michael not to unharness yet, ;"
she said < as
Yes, madam" replied the maid,
with an incredulous stare.
mo. You may rather tell him to be
at the porch door in ten minutes"
''Shall / return to you them"
"No. I do not need your help"
With that the meid withdrew. and
Margaret fastened to her room.
Throwing on her cloak. she started
down the stairs, but, remembering the
children, she fastened back. The
little Dorothy was sleeping in her crib,
quietly, peacefully. Stepping up to
her, the mother kissed her softly on
her cheek and babe her ''Good-by, my
pet, until tomorrow" Willie Dad not
yet retired, and Margaret said to her
self: ''Shall l take him with me?"
''Yes." He would be company for her
on the ride; and, besides, his grand
father would be glad to see him. So,
hastily pulling on his coat and hat
she hustled the astOnished boy downto
the porch door, where she found the
carriage in waiting
How far is it to papa's, Michael?''
she asked.
Near siven miles, num-" was the
answer.
Can you drive there and back in two
hours?"
Its hard night, mum, but guess
l can make it, S
''You must get back before Mr.. Hal
lowell returns
Sure and l will, num-
The wind was now blowing such
gale that it was with difficulty that the
footman held the carriage door open
for Margaret and Willie to enter Oh!
1t was terrible night! The weird
shrielking of the wind and the beating
OF the rain against the roof of the
carriage filed Margaret with sort of
vague fear and trembling.
Michael cracked his whip and they
were off. Down the driveway that
led under the two naples they went.
A terrible blast of wind made the
trees groan. Another more terrific