The Wichita daily eagle., 1893-12-01

of uncertain age-who in this case is
| the com planning witness. No, my boy,
| her only chance would have been in
| persuading the mar to marry her, and,
as he can't be found, that opportunity
| is lost
''And such a marriage would have
saved her?'' returned the young man,
still musing.
| ANY marriage would save her." re-
piled the judge. Her husband would
then be her protector, in the eyes of
the law; and with the law satisfied I
could discharge her, despite all her
aunt's complaints"
Once more Dal Synton relapsed into
silence; for several moments neither
spoke At length the young man
| turned away from the window. His
| features had lost all trace of color,
and his hand. in which he held light
ed cigar, trembled violently as he
raised it to his lips.
Judge" he said. and his voice was
| low, while his eyes wandered nervous
ly away from his companions glance.
You'd better have the girl brought
| up mere; IL marry her.
Judge Barnard started quickly from
his chair. .'Nonsense!" he calculated.
You're joking, Synton.'
''That1l do. Barnard" interposed
Mr.. Synton, coldiy: I've taken my
punishment and settled the fine"
But consider for moment, Dali
persisted Judge Barnard, more gently.
''This is not child's play
''Bah." the young man scornfully re-
turned. Il have already considered
| that it'll cost me barrel of whisky
when the boys learn of my arrest
Three hours later Mrs. Dal Synton
was seated in large, luxuriously fur
nished apartment of the Palace hotel.
Scattered about in seeming confusion
over the chairs and floor were numer-
Gus parcels of various shapes and sizes,
and from some there could be seen
peeping the delicate fiuery dear to the
feminine heart. Suddenly there was a
light tap on the door, and Mr.. Synton
entered. There was a careless smile
on his face. asIhe glanced casually at
the bundles scattered about, and his
eye lighted with admiration as he
noted the improved appearance of the
young girl who was now his wife.
''Well. my child" he said, cheerfully,
you find this rather better than that
den Of human coyotes. must confess
that, for myself, prefer the Palace to
the prison"
''Oh, sir!" exclaimed the young girl
81 can never thank you for-for-''
''Never mind, my little girl" inter
posed Mr.. Synton. with laugh, ladies
never thank their husbands for anys
thing-they just take all they can get,
and then ask for more.
And now to return to ourselves" :" he
continued. ''As told you before you
consented to become Mrs. Synton, you
will be my wife in name, but my sister,
daughter-grandmoth if you like
in reality. You are young, yet, to have
a husband, and for the present we will
reside at Blue Gravel, as have always
done. Then after year or two or
whenever you feel like marrying an
actual, as well as legal husband, ]
will go away for a time, and you can
my seeming desertion."
While he was speaking the young
girl had stared fxedly at her plate.
"You speak very coldly of marriage"
she replied, in a low, musical voice.
But 1 shall never seek my freedom.
As your daughter or sister / will en-
deavor to repay small part of the
debt l owe to YOU"
Tut, tut!'' he returned; ''of course
you'll seek your freedom when the
right man appears"
did the judge tell you my story?"
she asked, looking up at him with an
air of sadness.
He didn't go into particulars" he
replied. unconcernedly.
Yet, despite his careless demeanor.
he was dreading inwardly that she
would begin a weary tale, well be-
sprinkled with tears, and his fears
were well founded, for her next words
were:
MAY tell you?"
eff you consider it absolutely neces-
sary," he returned, in kindly tone.
''But, as l already know it, don't you
think we might find a more cheerful
topic?"
The young girl did not reply; for
several minutes neither uttered word.
Then, as Mr.. Synton raised his eyes,
his glance met hers. A tear was glist-
ening on her long lashes. He extended
his hand across the table, and there
was an expression of earnest, manly
tenderness on his eatures as his strong
clasp closed over her slender fingers.
Lets call this a new game" he said
in low tone: "we'n forget the past
And remember. Ethel, that although
I'm your husband I'm also your friend"
Blue Gravel Gap was in a state of i'll
concealed enthusiastic anticipation
Or, as we of the miners phrased it, 20.
the kwee veva' Dal Synton, their Dal, !
was coming on the next stage with a
young and lovely wife. He had sent |
them no word, no herald had pro- |
claimed his coming. but they knew. |
They had seen that little, dingy. bar |
structure, half cabin, half |
as bachelors quarters |
had been the scene of many friendly, |
and oftentimes hilarious. gatherings |
-reftted refurnished. repainted and /
almost remadc. until it was considered |
a fit d abode for the wife Of their lead !