Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1896-03-27
AUGUSTA DANE.

AUGUSTA DANE.
Augusta Dane married man who turn
ID out to be drunkard and gambler.
)ne day no left her, taking with him their
little boy, years old.
The next day found Augusta in New
York. Two days were spent in fruitless
search. All her husbands haunts were
risltod. In Philadelphia Augusta was
again baffled in her search. Still she de-
SPARED not but went on her way to Balti-
more. Arrived there, she resumed her
weary, weary search.
AS she turned away from place where
ner inquiries had again been unsuccessful
ner hope and courage, for the first time
since her loss began to fail her. AS she
walked slowly along, uncertain where next
TO direct her steps, a gentleman passed and
looked earnestly at her. Augusta, OPP
pressed with her sad and anxious thoughts. !
ma hHbE ~ IS. IS" aaSl0ns seat Ia.1r.lnD;tf
had not noticed him. All at once voice
saying, MRS. Dane, you surely do not
intend to pass me without recognition, do
| youi' caused her to start and raise her
eyes. 1t was friend of her husband who
was speaking to her.
| II bog your pardon, Mr.. Davis. was
thinking and passed without seeing you, Z"
answered Augusta.
| "You are on your way, suppose, to join
you husband and child. What fine little
fellow that boy of yours Isl You must be
| very proud Of him." Davis remarked.
Augustus heart gave a mighty throb.
and in voice which she vainly endeavor-
ed to steady she replied:
Eyes; I have been detained at home
and did not join them at the time ap-
pointed. Where did you leave Mr.. Dane
| --and--and-my SOM"
All, how her voice troYibled as she asked
the question:
II left them in Washington" replied
Davis. II met Fred at Ms last night
| (naming gam ing house in that city,.
only arrived in Baltimore an hour ago.
Augusta scarcely heard any further
words that were spoken. She had room
but for one thought She reused herself
sufficiently ut length to utter few words
Of loave taking and the next train tc
! Washington bore Augusta on her way
thither
At length she reached her destination.
Stepping into carriage, she gave the or
der to drive to Ms.
The carriage stopped. "Wait here fol
me. Keep your carriage door open. shall
not he away long" And she assembled the
stops Of tho house.
A negro opened the door In answer tt
her ring and refused her admittanoe, but
Augusta was prepared. Holding up ST.
bill, she said, "This is yours II you permit
ME to pass" Sambo found 1T impossibl,
to resist, and the door was opened to ad
NIT her.
(which way must go?" inquired Au
gusta as soon as she was fairly inside thu
hall.
"Do you mean right among all the gen
tlemen, ma ann" asked Sambo, with opel
eyes and mouth.
(which way must goY" repeated she.
Right at the top Of the stairs, lna'am
where you see the bright light from unde
the door.
As she placed her hand Oh the knob sh
breathed silent prayer, and then sh
opened the door noiselessly and entered
The room was brilliantly lighted. He
; eyes were dazzled for moment; then he
quick glance took in all at once. Seate'
at the table near the center Of the larg
room and with his back toward the doc
was her husband, and by his side stood |
little child. Yes, there was her boy, stand
ing like an angel Of light amid that GROVE
OF desperate men.
No one had seen her enter. All were in
tent on tho game then in progress. An
other moment, and owing to some. turn o
. fortune fearful oath burst from Fred
erick Danes lips.
Augusta took a step forward just then
. Her boy turned and saw her. My moth
CT, oh, my mother!'' screamed the chill
: and sprang into her arms
With her child clasped to her heart Au
gusta felt power within her stronl
enough to defy the world. Her husband
had risen from his seat, reused by til
childish exclamation, and stood gazing a
her in speechless amazement. The room
was crowded with men, who We're looking
ON in speeohless wonder at the strang
scene enacted before their eyes. August
was the first to speak.
Frederick. let me depart in peace wit
my child"
"Neyerl'' interrupted he. ''Put dow
: the childv' And he made a movement tG
ward her. Augusta turned white to til
I, lips.
"Frederiok, . she again pleaded, "thin
, of our child's future. You surely woul
not doom our boy to live life such d
yours has been!'
Cease your talking and give me til
boyr' shouted Dane, and again he lnado
movement toward her,