The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1894-12-28

of the little girl in the yellow gown.
How plainly he remembered even the
bangles, the Skye terrier, the dimple in
her cheek! perhaps he had lost his
heart.
CHAPTER IL
Though fifty miles from a railroad.
the valley of the Troublesome was well
settled by ranchmen, and the little
village of Parl1ville, few miles from
divers cabin, was the meeting-place
for large section of country. Here
gathered miners from the distant
peaks. prospectors. cowboys and sheep
herders from ranches, with the drift
around such place, gamblers and men
with no visible means of support. In
the rough mob that congregated in the
two saloons at Parkville Oliver often
saw the Frenchman. He was general
" intoxicated, always the widest of
the merrymakers. He met him and
Louis riding late at night at a mad
pace with other vagabonds invited
from the town. and he heard of orgies
at De Restaud's home that reelxed of
city slums. Oliver himself never VEN
tured towards De Restaud's house; the
road was private one, and he had no
wish to come in contact with the own
er. Sometimes he pitied the young
wife when he thought of her. but as
the days wore on her image faded. He
had never mentioned her but the once
TO DR.. John, yet he hoped before he
went away from the Troublesome to
see her again. He had promised to he
her friend.
Mike had told him the story in the
valley was that she had come to Colo
RADIO Springs with consumptive moth
er, and that the Frenchman. who was
more careful then, and boarded at the
hotel with them, wormed himself into
the mothers confidence to such an ex-
tent that on her deathbed she desired
to leave her daughter in De Restaud's
care and prevailed upon her to be mar
ried then. A sentimental little creature
like the girl could not refuse; Oliver
had an uncomfortable feeling that she
would be too easily led. De Restaud
had brought his wife to the lonely
ranch after her mothers death. and
had kept her prisoner. He was mad
ly jealous of her, his crazed brain i'm
agining all sorts of things she never
dreamed of doing. Then it was also
thought that, as he had entire control
of her money, he kept her away from
her friends for fear that they might
question his guardianship.
Oliver was thinking of her one night
two weeks after his strange visit. He
was alone by the fire, for DIR. John had
gone to see the sick wife of ranch
man. The doctor said he felt the err
rand hopeless, as the man had told the
wife's condition, but if they thought he
might help he wouldgo.
HE is good old chap" Oliver said,
aloud. The shepherd dog, thinking the
compliment intended for him. gently
thumped his tail on the floor. There's
his gown and cap; he'll make n guy of
himself because his old landlady made
them for him. l wish had told him
more about the girl at that ranch; he
might have suggested something. Per-
haps she can't get letters to her old
aunt. If half the stories l hear are
true, she ought never to stay there.
The man is crazy"
Mac whined uneasily, and went to
the door, standing listening, his head
down.
Watching for the doctor, Mac? He
won't be back for hours yet. Hark!''
The dog growled, then barked loud
ly. There was the sound of hurrying
footsteps on the hard ground, and the
door was opened without ceremony. In
her yellow gown. barehe1ded and dust
stained, her little dog held to her
breast. De Restaud's wife staggered
into the room. her face CHASTITY in its
pallor, her eyes red with weeping. even
the dog covering with fright and pain.
MY God," cried Oliver. leaping to
his feet. is he out there?"
NO, no: am alone"
Child. how could you come here?
how could you Gomez" he cried, vexed-
". why, he would murder you if he
knew"
Don't send me away" she screamed;
''oh, please, Mr.. Oliver! 1 thought all
the way You were kind and would help
me. Look at the marks on my throat;
he choBed me: and there are welts on
my arms, paining me dreadfully: and
he-he kicked my dog. think its leg is
broken. Don't mind me. Look at
Skye; is he badly hurt?''
Oliver took the shivering little beast
in his arms.
Only bruised he said, gently: but
you" He was sick with the horror of
it! to strike that child! ''You look so
i'll Sit down in the big chair Indeed
you shall not go back; DIR. John and
will take care of that; and if ne comes.
You know" with that sweet smile of
his. your husband is little man.
Il don't know what did, she said.
dazedly. Maybe because l rode my
pony down past here. and Louis told
him, or Annette. He was drunk and
ugly when he struck me and kicked
Skye out of the way. Skye tried to
bite him, and / lnterfered. Then
think tainted, for woke on my bed
all hurt and bewildered Annette
came creeping in, sort of scared, and
said he was sorry and had gone off TO
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