Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1896-03-26
DANE.

AUGUSTA A N
Augusta Dane married a man who turned
out to be a drnnkard and a gambler. One
day he left her, taking with him their little
boy 5 years old.
The next day found Augusta in New
York. Two days were spent in fruitless
search. All her husbands haunts were
visited. In Philadelphia Augusta was
again baff1ed ~ her search. Still she de-
SPARED not, but went on her way to BaIti-
more. Arrived there she resumed her
weary, weary search.
AS she turned away from a place where
her inquiries had again been unsuccessful
her 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 oppressed
with her sad and anxious thoughts, had not
noticed him. All at once q voice saying.
Mrs. Daue, you surely do not intend to
pass me without recognition do you?'
caused her to start and raise her eyes. II
was q friend of her husband who was
speaking to her.
"Issbeg your pardon. Mr.. Davis, 1 was
thinking and passed without seeing you"
answered Augusta. #gss
you are on your way, l suppose, to
join your husband and child. What q fine
little fellow that boy Of yours Is! You
must be very proud OF him."
Augustus heart gave q mighty thr0b, and
in a voice she vainly ~endeavOred to steady,
she said:
"Yes, l have been detained at home and
did not join them At the time appointed.
Where did you leave Mr.. Dane-and-and
my SON.
An, % her voice trembled as she asked
the question.
Il left them in Washington" replied
Mr.. Davis. II met Fred at Ms last
night, (namin9a gaming house in that
city,. | only arrived in Baltimore 40 hour
ago."
Augusta scarcely heard any further
words that were spoken. She had room
but for n thought. She aroused herself
sufficiently to utter q few words of leave
taking and the next train to Washington
bore Augusta On her way thither.
At length she reached her destination.
Stepping into a carriage, she gave the
order to drive to Ms.
The carriage stopped.
t.Wait here for me. Keep your carriage
door open. / shall not be away long,
And she assembled the steps of the house.
A negro opened the door In answer to
her ring and reused her admittance, but
Augusta was prepared. Holding up a sic
bill, she said: This is yours II you per-
NIT me to pass" Sambo found It impOssi-
BILE to resist. and the door was opened to
admit her.
(which way must l go?" inquired Au-
onsta as sOOr as she was fairly inside the
hall.
do you mean right among all the gen.
eyes and mouth.
(Which way must l go?" she repeated.
Right to the top of the stairs, ma'am,
where you see the bright light from under
the door,"
As she placed her hand IN the knob she
breathed q silent prayer, and then she Op-
ened the door nOiselessly and entered. The
room q brilliantly lighted. Her eyes
were dazzled for = moment; then her quick
glance took In all at once. Seated { the
liable neal the center Of the large room and
with HIS back toward the door was her
husband aud by his side stood q little child.
Yea, there was her boy, standing like au
angel OF light amid that crowd OF desper-
ate men.
No one had seen her enter. All were In.
tent on the game tnen In progress. Another
moment, and owing to some turn of for
time q fearful oath burst from Frederick
Danes lips.
Augusta took q step forward just then.
Her boy turned and saw her. my mother
oh. my motherv' screamed the child, and
sprang into her arms.
With her child clasped to her heart Au.
gusts felt 4 power within her strong
enough to defy the world. Her husband
had risen from his seat, aroused by the
childish exclamation, and stOod gazing al
her In speechless amazement. The room
was crowded with men who were looking
on In wonder ut the strange scene enacted
before their eyes. Augusta was the first
to speak.
Frederick. let mi depart IN peace will
my child"
"Neverw interrupted he. .Put dowr
the childw And he made . movement
toward her. Auguste turned white to ths
lips.
Frederick. = she again pleaded, sthinl
OF our child's future. You surely would
not doom our child to lives life such a
yours has be0n!"
cease your talking ana give me thu
boy!" shouted Dane. and again he made
movement toward her.
Quick as thought Augusta raised bel
hand and leyeled : revolver at him whict
she had concealed in the folds OF her dress
She clasped her child still closes TO bel
breast a she spoke:
Frederick Dane, I ami : desperate wo.
man! Take heed. Do NOT defy me fur
ther. For Gods sake, leave me and d
not force me Il desperate deeds! Stop
Advance III step and the consequences
lie on your head
While Augusta was speaking she, hai
moved nearer the door. Her husband
stood q Il potxi6od. With one last l0oh
Augusta turned and LETT the room.
Augusta Danes days Il Gro now passed
peacefully and qui ny. Her son grew VI
into . true, noble. honorable man, and b
came d Of the most distinguished mem
beEs Of tho bar In his native city.
IL Istsi LAxented.
~ don't teli4ve Mn. Jones gieves a,
m0se over ~ death u her 6sst hubbard.
II ~ Sc ~ - - 9A 49, 49, -