Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1894-07-07

the startling headlines and the sem
sational article, that chronicled the
elopement of Lieutenant Lyons and
1 Mrs. Palmer!
1t came upon him like a thunder
clap. He WINGED under the minute
circumstantial 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 deleetation, To Palmer,
it was maddening. He could not
reason. His mind was in whirl.
i 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
a fearlesSness. that seemed to chal-
lenge his social world to think Ill of
her.
Had he made a mistake? Had he
seemed to sometimes neglect her?
Had She so far forgotten the dignity
of wifehood and motherhood, as to be-
come infatuated with Lyons, who was
so much more social and attractive
than himself?
He took the II o'clock train for
home. Along the route he fancied he
was regarded euriously. He was the
centre of a widening ripple, which
vas fest embracing the whole land in
its circle.
In answer to his rather naughty
questioning, he got information from
the servants. that Mrs. Palmer had
gone away with Flossie very sudden
ly. Their shrugs and significant
glances, 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. He followed them there.
He haunted the hotels and the Gem
trail 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.
BY curious chance he succeeded in
tracing them to the train for Equity.
He found it slow place, behind the
times, and that the party he was in
search Of were at Mrs. Hickson's four
miles from the station.
He hired team and driver. Under
cover Of stretch of woodland near
the house, he paid the man, dismissed
him, and walked up to the low-roofed,
rambling, roomy country house, with
doors and windows wide open.
Hestepped over the low, worn front
threshold, into broad hall. A tableau
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 child's flushed face, and
ominously brilliant eyes. her glance
full Of grave and fearful solieitude
Another woman, and man with the
air of a doctor, stood near.
Palmer had no time to analyze the
situation. His wife caught sight Of
him, and flew to greet him, with a
kiss did you get my second tele-
glam?" she questioned. 20, Fred -
and She burst into tears upon his
shoulder, ''I-l-am afraid Flossie is
going like the others. l 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 throbbng as one,
the three watched the little life flut-
tering on the borders of the shadow
land. At the end of twenty four
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 Of
character exclaimed Lyons wrath
fully, when Palmer showed him the
staring headlines.
Give gossips no chance hereafter to
say you neglect your wife, Lyons
dared to say, as the two men stood eve
to eye fearlessly, your wife is most
true and womanly, but she is fasci-
mating, and men are-susceptible, and
the world is uncharitable."
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 Flossfe,
the two officers went back to the fort
together in few days. The scandal
mongers were at their wits ends, for
a solution Of the matter, but the in.
terested parties held their peace.
The press found a new sensation in
denying the elOpement.
Newly born domestic peace reipns
in the Palmer household. The hus-
l.