The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1892-11-03

never warned TIE. You pretended TO be
my friend and let me take for my wife a
girl like that"
my gracious!" cried Miss Pam. wilt
ing under the injustice Of the accusation,
II never, never. never didT'
"How could you look on and lot Il
happen? It was like letting a mailman
jump into the lire, said Norman, look
ing so wild and haggard that Miss Pam
shuddered.
II knew nothing serious against
Jacintha." she said 81 wouldn't have
asked her to visit with Edwina If l
hadn't thought her nice. didn't know
you were counting her until you were
engaged. was afraid you were after
Edwina. don't suppose you'd have
had any chance with her, but thought
you wanted her, and she was too good
for you.
God knows che was" Norman said.
"Who wins her for a wife must DO a
happy man. and but for Jacintha"-
mot a word more," said Aunt Pam,
moving away with dignity, you are
| beginning to talk immoral"
She was bitterly sorry for him, but
there was u mOdicum Of triumph in her
heart, for she felt that Edwina was
avenged, since Norman regretted her.
A few days after this Miss Pam sat on
the front porch knitting and watching
those who drove along the road. She
knew most Of them by sight Amid q
fash Of jewels, u CLEAN Of satin and q
autter Of feathers she saw Jacintha.
She was holding the reins Of a spirited
pair Of horses. The man ut her side was
not her husband. They passed out Of
sight quickly,
In moment more people were running
up the road. number Of carriages had
stopped, something had happened.
Aunt Pam ran TO the gate. Away in
the distance sped flying horses drag
ging vehicle behind them; men had
lifted a woman from the road and were
bringing her that way.
Where shall we take herr one Of
them asked.
Aunt Pam threw open her gate and
the long. French windows opening into
her parlor. She recognized the glisten-
ing silk. the floating feathers, the bright
jewels.
at is Jacintha," she whispered to Ed
wilma. land she looks like DEATH"
A little after a man covered with dust
and blood limped into the room and
knclt down beside the sofa where the
doctor was busy.
"Sho would jump out" he said. ~
could have mastered the horses but for
that. She insisted on driving. and
when they ran away she jumped. See
ing her fall broke me up. Can she liver
"No," said the surgeon CURLY. Some
one must go for her husband"
Norman Driscoll was sent Tor, and he
came. In a few hours his wife knew
him; she knew also that there was no
hope that she could live. In her death
like pallOr she was unutterably beauti-
full, and Norman's wrath departed. He
called her all fond names and himself q
brute for blaming her for having a
merry heart. And she looked at him
and at Miss Pam and Edwina. and q
fash Of feeling came into her face.
He will go back to Edwina when I
am gone" she said, and she twined her
arms about his neck.
"Oh, Norman" she said, ''inaSed
was true TO you. II was nothing but
Irritation with those other men. You
need not bave been jealous. loved
you-you orly. Kia5 me-"
! As his lips met hers she said family;
Let me die in peacc. PrOI.is @ ms
that you will never give our little FlOssy
a Gtennother. Swear it! Swear itl'
81 swear" he answered.
"Say il after me" Jaciuiha whispered.
II will never give daughter a step
mother"
, He repeated the words with a solemn
oath. 1t seemed to Aunt Pam that even
in that moment JGciutha cast a glance
Of triumph at EdwiEa. but the girls face
was hidden ia her hands and she was
praying.
Jacntha lived only a few hours after
this, and while Norman mourned her
and rcpruachcd himself. Has Pam had
another secret 10 keep. H. folding away
| Jacintha'8 brilliant &c nc she had
found letter which N..- lain proof
that with her dying breath the young
wife had uttered q lie--that she had been
falEc to Norman Driscull. and that she
had planned 10 leave him and her child.
Miss Pam put the letter away in the
lockwood box, with her statement and
the little roll Of tissue paper, aud said
nothing even 10 Edwina.
Jacintha was dead. but Norman Dris-
coll was not free. lie was bound to the
dead woman by his sOl0mn oath. as he
had been by his marriage vows.
However, hor death and her last words
had caused him to fancy himself jeal-
Gus fool. For awhile be suffered bit
terly from remOr8e, bis only consolation
was his little FlOssy. One day when she
could walk, he came up the road lead
ing to Aunt PANS cottage. leading the
child by the hand.
The women made much Of her, and Ed
wilma cried over her little. she was so
touching in her black dress. Never be-
fore had baby beel put into such deep
mourning. The father wore his Grape
hatband, his face had the cold, clear look
Of stone cameo. Edwina could have
cried over him also.
They made him stay to tea. Aunt
Pam noticed that no looked at Edwina
constantly, and that Us he sat near her,
he tTifled with tho floating ends Of q
ribbon she wore at her waist, touching
the silk caressingly.
"Them two might be so happy yet"
she said. Seems as Of providence meant
they should-and Jacintha went and
fixed it SOS they shouldn't. Even ef l