The morning call., 1893-05-21

cabin and exhibited to the widow $1,000 in
dust aud $4,000 in coin. She did not weigh
and count the gold. She simply peerpd
into the two sacks that were opened to her
scrutiny and accepted Jacks solemn assur-
ance that thev contained $4,000, which
statement was entirely correct.
''Well, does this meet my part of our
agreement?" inquired Jack.
81 am satisfied" replied the widow, g,v-
ing him her hand and flooding his face
with smile of mingled love and amuse-
meut, whereupon he touched her unresist-
ing lips and stood dazed in an ecstacy of
bliss.
This kiss has saved the life of Bing-
ham," said Ireton. solemnly.
Take care that 1t does not lose yours"
was the laughing answer. Jack snapped
his fingers contemptuously.
This part of the business being happily
settled. it was agreed that the wedding
should take place in week from the Sun
day following, and that after their marriage
Ireton was to reside during the remainder
of the winter in the Wheelock cabin,
| which with few interior changes, could
be made to comfortably accommodate
them all. With this understanding, and a
goodnight parting that sweetened his
thoughts for an hour, Jack departed with
his gold, feeling that the prize he had lust
won was worth more to hlm than all the
| Jewels of earth.
AS the wedding day approached Ireton
| grew more and more uneasy. He was out
of conceit with himself and felt as if he
| had stolen something and did not know
| where to hide it. One evening, three davs
prior t., the eyentful Sunday, he called
upon his betrothfd, whom he had learned
| to address as Nellie. She laid aside
gown Shp was fixing over and received
| him sweetIy. The sight of the garment
struck him with an uncomfortable reproach,
| and, taking her hand and a seat beside her.
hA OF lone
Nellie, l have a confession to MAKE. It
| does not seem to me to b. right for man
and wife TO start out on their long journey
! together by deceving each other; and
| before ii is too late for you to change your
mind | want to squarely admit that only
about quarter of the $40, 600 | showed 10
you was really mine. l burrowed what |
lacked from your brother and three or
| four other friends. and the money has
| been returned. Now. that's all there is of
! it. except that l was and still am dead in
! love with you, aud was afraid you would
marry that gambler Bingham if waited
any longer. This admission releases you
| from your promise, of course. Now that
you know all. what are you going to do
with me ,"
why. | am going to marry you next
Sunday. Jack. just as agreed to do" re-
piled Nellie, emphaticaliy; II, ton, have
! confession to make. ! was net deceived.
l knew exactly how much OF that $4,000
| belonged 10 you when you brought il to
me. When L saw You toiling in the rain
day after day | knew you cared for me,
and that man who would make so labor
ious an Effort to win a oman would not
be ap, to let her starve after marrying her.
And, more than that, Jack, $1,000 of the
money you showed TO me was mine,
which / gave to INV brother t. help make
up the amount. and know pretty nearly
Where the balance came from"
hof dp Natl lfa vi a
Jack. Il am already TOO much ashamed
oil myself to look you in the face"
mo, 1t Will not do" continued Nellie:
Il have another confession tn make. l
really believe love you. jack
Being widow, she, of course, knew
| what the response 10 such an admission
would be trem man Of jacks ardent
nature. There was an instantaneous and
| feryent en-! anelenent OF arms, followed by
a protracted and contented mingling Of
dark-brown whiskers and lignt-brown
hair.
The wedding occurred at the time speci-
fed, minister of the gospel from Volcano
officiating. Anvils were fred and bonfires
lighted. A hundred or more miners called
IN body to congratulate the bride and
groom, but as the cabin was too small 10
admit them, even in squads, entertsin-
ment was provided for them elsewhere
The day ended disastrously to Bingham.
he insulted and drew ii pistel on miner
who requested him to join the blacksmith
IN serenading the happy couple, and in
return had the most of his front teeth
knocked out with a six-shnoter. He
| threatened to kill fonr or FIVE men before
| he left town, lreton included. but sold out
and disappeared without executing any
part Of his sangulGary purpnse.
! Of the subsequent lives of Ireton and his
wife know nothing. They simply endure
among the recollections If the rast in con-
| nppflOn with tpd xyith
nrst marriage In Fiddlet0wn.
r. NJ DAGGETT