The Meeker herald., 1894-07-07

VIC os"' e'hS AeuulineS ana tne sen.
sational article, that chronicled the
elopemeut of Lieutenant Lyons and
Mrs. Palmer,
1t came upon him like n thunder
clap. He WINGED under the minute
eircumstantial details, the references
to his own domestic life, the opinion
that he and his wife did not pull to-
gether' very well, the conjectures re-
garding his absence, since he had
gone off two weeks ago, and left
Lieutenant Lyons in possession of the
field.
Such spicy breakfast salad loses its
flavor for the parties who are served
up for public dclectation. To Palmer,
it was maddening. He could not
reason. His mind was in whirl.
classification never occurred to him,
yet how could the thing be possible?
Her last letter, written in her usual
vein, was but two days old.
He had deep reticent nature,
while his wife was social, and demon
strative He had unbounded faith in
her, and had granted her large free
dom in her male companionship, with
fearlessness, that seemed to chal-
lenge his social world to think Ill Of
her.
Had he made mistake? Had he
seemed to sometimes neglect herr
Had she so far forgotten the dignity
of wifehood and motherhood, as to be-
como Infatuated with Lyons, who was
SA,.fn1 aud ut Of i,+,
than himself?
He took the ii o'clock train for
home. Along the route he fancied he
was regarded curiously. lie was the
centre of a widening ripple, which
was fast embracing the whole land in
its circle.
In answer to his rather naughty
questioning, he got information from
the servants, that Mrs. Palmer mad
gone away with Flossie very sudden
ly. Their shrugs and significant
chances, Inundated him. He forbore
sensitively to question, except to
make sure at the depot that the pair
had taken the train for New York to-
gether. lie followed them there.
He haunted the hotels and the Cen
trial depot. He wondered if he should
not kill Lyons. He thought of Flossie
growing up to blush for her mother,
and was glad for the two lying under
the daisies,
Bya curious chance he succeeded in
tracing them to the train for Equity.
lie found 1t slow place, behind the
a: =, ~ I,,,, t.,
search of, were at Mrs. IIickson's four
mile, from the station.
He hired n team and driver. Under
cover of n stretch OF woodland near
the house, he paid the man, dismissed
him and walked up to the low-roofed,
rambling, roomy country-house, with
door, and windows wide open.
Hestepped over the low. worn front
threshold, into broad hall. A tablcar
met his eyes through an open door on
the right.
Lieutenant Lyons sat by the open
window, with Flossie in his arms.
The mother stood waving fan gently
before the childs flushed face, and
ominously brilliant eyes, her glance
full of grave and fearful solicitude.
Another woman, and Il man with the
air of doctor, stood near.
Palmer had no time to analyze the
situation. His wife caught sight oil
him, and flew to greet him, with q
kiss Ibid You get my second tele-
gram" She questioned. 40, Fred, u
and she burst into tears upon his
shoulder, clam afraid Flossic is
going like the others. / delayed day
after day to take her away, in spite OF
the doctors warning"
Feeling rather unreal and shadowy,
Lieutenant Palmer shook hands with
his brother officer, who transferred
Flossie to his arms.
With their hearts throbbing as one,
the three watched the little life tlut-
tcring on the borders of the shadow
hours she was given back to their
arms
In the intervals, it came out, how
the doctor had recommended Equity,
and also the chance meeting on the
train.
Wouldn't like to sue the entire
press of America for defamation oil
character.' exclaimed Lyons wrath
fully, when Palmer showed him the
staring headlines.
"Give gossips no chance hereafter tc
say you neglect your wife," Lyons
dared to say, as the two men stood eye
to eye fearlessly. your wife is most
true and womanly, but she is fasci-
mating, and men are-susceptible, and
the world is uncharitab BILE"
A frank, meaning glance, which
Palmer understood, accompanied the
words. II am proud to call You my
friend,' he said, as he offered his
hand.
Leaving Mrs. Palmer with Flossic,
the two officers went back to the fort
together in few days. The scandal
mongcrs were at their wits ends. for
n solution of the matter, but the in
tcrested parties held their peace.
The press found new sensa ton in
denying the elopement.
Newly born domestic peace reigns
in the Palmer household. The hus-
l.. r IL