Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1895-07-09
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sank TO half-whisper, ~ think that
wouldn't-7that is to saw. only think.
you know-but really wouldn't quite
give up all hopes of seeing Willie again"
The prospector sprang wildly to his
feet.
"Great Godl You have news of him?
Speak out, man; can bear the strain
no longer"
The honest corporal had been thor
oughly impressed by his wife with the
necessity of breaking the news by de-
grees; and here was this provoking
couple working themselves into hys-
terics before he had said dozen words,
or, as he tersely put it, "going off half
cock before the game had risen"
swell, there's telegram-read it for
yourself. did my best, but the fats
all in the fire now"
The prospector took the paper in his
trembling hands, and, with an effort,
read the blessed words aloud:
Willie Wilders is with me safe and
well. Break the news to his parents,
and tell them to come on here as soon
as possible. l found the child acct
dentally in New. York. Reply. Elsie
Whitford."
A bright CLEAN of ineffable Joy spread
itself over the prospector's face. He
was like one drunk with Che delirium of
delight.
"Hurrahl" the corporal shouted,
catching the infection of Joy. Three
cheers for Elsie, and "a tiger for the
boy!'
But Mile, after the manner of her
sex, when the trouble was over, of
course broke down, and, to the dismay
of the gallant corporal, fell into dead
swoon at his feet.
We will not attempt to depict their
Joy on meeting their child, such scenes
are better imagined than described, for
words can paint events but not emo
TINS.
OF course the Woodgroves were in
high glee; their kindly hearts were
touched to the depths at the joyous at
mosphere they breathed. Wilders in
sisted on Elsie receiving the thousand
dollars reward, which he had brought
for her in crisp new bills, and, as the
prospector showed signs of offense at
her refusal, the happy girl took the
money, to Jacks entire satisfaction.
Meanwhile Jack and his boy had big
communings together. From these lit
tie conferences the prospector picked
up several bits of information which he
pieced together, and was enabled to
arrive at a tolerably accurate guess as
to who was the originator of the out
rage. Gp a..h- '.a. ~.
Of these suspicious he said nothing to
his wife until they reached home, but
then his wrath broke forth.
The first thing he did was to send foI
Susan Green, who, now that the boy
was found, had hoped to be spared fur
Their explanations
when you took Willie away from
Alma Miggs," Jack asked, judicially
''had you been tallxin' to man-walk.
in with him, in fact?"
''Lor', no." ..
"Now, think, Susan. Think again. u
Susan scorned reply.
did you meet that fellow Dodd,
there?"
Man, you said-he's not man; he's
parson."
"Oh," Jack grinned, for he had a
strong sense of humor, $50 you confess
that you did meet him?"
Confess, indeed. I'd like to know
what you mean by confessing? OF
course l met him. Did / ever say l
didn't?"
Had you an appointment with
him?"
Susan's wrath was rising. "That's
my business"
$50 you decline to answer"
She remained silent
Ibid Dodd hand you package that
afternoon?"
Susan's nose was sharp, her lips were
thin and her anatomy of bony proclivi-
ties not wholesome to look at, but as
Jack put this question she seemed to
shrivel up into ten times her natural
ugliness. A leaden hue spread over her
face, paling all but the tip of her nose,
which was flaming, scorbutic red.
Without a word, she dashed for the
door, but the prospector's broad back
was against it.
''No, you don't, you vixen! BY thun-
der, if you don't behave yourself I'll
have the constable in in less than three
minutes. Did you take money from that
MANI"
"No!"
"You lie!"
The mans passion was terrible, the
swollen veins in his forehead stood out
like whipcord, as with towering form
he stood over the trembling girl
"You sold my little one to my enc.
mics, he cried, hoarsely. Like Joseph's
brethren you sold him into bondage"
Susan's limp figure bowed to the
blast.
'Oh, Mr.. Wilders, dear Mr.. Wilders,"
she cried, fiinging herself on her knees.
''Don't kill me! III tell the truth will
indeed! III tell the truth! Oh, good.
ness gracious me, do have pity on me-"
Jack paused.
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