The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-09-28
NUMBER FOUR

ing young person, very Intelligent and nr-
tractive. She and made each others &C
quaintance, and--I may as well admit &C
first as last--we became very warmly at
tached
The duties Of Miss Hanson had become
very onerous, altogether too much 50 for
her delicate frame, and /, panied to see
one who Was so dear to me laborinQ hc-
yond her strength, looked about to SEQ IL
something better could not be obtained for
her. Gladly would I at once have made
her my wife and thus have obviated the
necessity Of her earning her own support.
but in the then state Of my finances such
a thing was not to be thought Of. And
SO, not being able to do as I would, tried
to do what 1 could, and success attended
my efforts.
A wealthy gentleman Of my acquaint-
ance who had several young children,
wanting first class governess for them,
eagerly proposed Miss Hanson, and, her ox-
animation proving satisfactory, she was
duly installed In her new situation. She
found IL to be easy, pleasant and profit
able, and, my mind being set at rest regard
ing her, 1 now turned my attention exclu-
sively to the duties Of my profession, re-
solved to postpone for a year OF two tho
pleasant duties of courtship. I judged
that we would both be better fitted for the
faithful discharge OF cur engagements
seeing each other but seldom than we
should otherwise be. To be sure, IL would
have pleased me we'll to have received fire.
quent letters from my esteemed Clara, but
as she expressed herself very much averse
to letter writing, I would not require her
to distress herself for my sake
Several months after Miss Hanson en-
tered upon her work as governess the cid
est son Of her employer came home. He
admired Miss Hanson from the first, and
it was not long before he made her aware
of the fact. He was pressing IN his suit.
he was wealthy, he was present with her,
and my ladylove transferred her affections
and her engagement to him. The employ
er, discovering what was taking place, was
enraged at his son 8 folly and at the lady's
presumption, as he termed It, and would
listen to nothing but an utter abandon
ment OF the engagement He turned the
young lady away, and she proceeded 20
New York in search OF another situation.
She had entered into arrangements 70
teach for six months do not remember
where-when her lover suddenly appeared
before her and insisted upon a private
and immediate marriage.
She consented, and after the ceremony
the bridegroom went his way and tho
bride hers for the term Of six months.
At the expiration Of that time they again
met and proceeded to the city Of Detroit
to reside
All this time no spirit whispered in my
ear of danger or trouble. Calmly labored
on only now and then pausing to think
contentedly of my Clara and to feel re-
newed satisfaction that she was 50 well
placed But suddenly heard of her con-
duct-of all except her marriaRe-and of
course she was lost to me as much as
though I had known her to be welded. I
could not overlook such deceit and heart
lessness.
Five years rolled away, and on a wild,
stormy night arrived at Detroit. Feel
ing very much fatigued, asked to be
shown at once to my room in the hotel.
Hardly had 1 been left alone when some
one knocked on the door next to mine.
''Who's theref' said womans voice
Father. - was the reply Mrs. jenkins
is below and wishes to see you. told her
that you were not very well and had re-
tired but she will take no denial. -
'.Then she must come up here, pa. We
can never dress again and go down to
her"
LET me see, what was Mrs. jenkins
maiden nameg" asked one Of the voices in
the next room, when the father had with
drawn.
Hitherto had been sitting in contem-
plative mood before my fire, hearing be-
cause / could not help 1t, the partition be-
ing SO very thin
'tWhy, she was Clara Hanson-don't
you know. She was our schoolmate In
Boston years ago.
You may judge that there was a very
sudden and violent alteration Ia my state
of mind In breathless expectation
awaited the coming Of the visitor She
had really married jenkins then. Present.
~ that well remembered step drew near.
There was noisy meeting much laugh
ter, many questions, many fervent express
sions Of affection, Of delight at being once
more together.
But, come now, let us hear each others
adventures, said Clara, and when her
friends had related theirs she began TO
talk of hers
Can you imagine my feelings as I
heard that woman tell what / have already
told, and much more? / heard all as II IN
a dream, yet 1 know that it was reality
well anything can be in this unreal
world Presently rose and stealing soft
~ into the hall laid just before the door
OF the room where Clara was, ono Of my
cards, and in excited silence waited the re-
suits. 1t was WIFI had reckoned on.
Mrs. jenkins 1t instantly as she
stepped from her friends room Some
one has dropped a note" heard her say.
heard her move toward the hight. Then
she gave little shrek and rushed back
to her friends.
s.Oh, Mr. - has been here. He must
have seen me come in and followed me.
What shall dof'
who is Mr.. -7 You did not men
ton him. Why do you fear himF" asked
the friends.
'sOh, be was an old beau Of mine, " said
Clara, and / would not meet him for the
world
why, how many beaux did you havef''
was the laughing inquiry.
Il had a great many, and was en-
gagged to four other men when married
Mr.. jenkins. Mr.. was the fourth
one. "-Exchange.
How We Tell the Time.
There are street clocks in this city
whose faces do not bear the usual Roman
or Arabic numerals, by which, in connee-
ton with the hands, we are able to tell tee
time, but in their places are II letters,