Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1896-02-19


Alph knew her voice, and in an in
slant sprang from the wagon and was
at her side.
why, Glenn! What is the matter?"
ooh, Alphn' cried Glen, shivering and
sobbing. Its Lon"
Lon"
Yes, yes, at the cabin waiting for
you
AT the cabin
eyes, / was sitting by the window
could not sleep, was so troubled
saw him stealing over the prairie and |
followed him-Jack and |, and he went
down the draw and hid himself in a
niche in the cabin, and is waiting for
you. Oh, Alph, I'm so afraid! He
wants to kill you, I'm sure
Well" said AIph, st does look as
though he meant mischief, but" kissing
her tenderly, you stay with the ponies
and II go down to the ranch and inter
view the fellow
No, no, Alph, not for the world would
let you go alone"
well, what then"
LET me go with you-oh, do, Alph."
''Well, sweetheart, if you must"
Alph fastened the ponies, and they
went hand in hand for the ranch, fol
lowed by Jack. They kept in the shad-
ow of the bushes that fringed the banks
of the little stream for some distance,
and then descended into 1T, STOPPING so
as to conceal themselves as they silently
threaded the tortuous tunnel. When
they came opposite to the cabin, Alph
took a look through a rent in the bushes,
but in the dim star-shine he could not
discern Ions hiding place. All was
quiet save the musical tinlles of the
tiny stream, and above their heads was
the peaceful sky glowing with the bril-
| liancy of innumerable stars.
After waiting a few minutes Glenn
finally consented to let Alph work his
way round the corral. This he did, and
| came back to Glen down the bed of the
stream and reported that Lon was no7
where to be seen.
Suppose 1 send Jack our" whis-
Dered Glenn.
every we'll" assented Alph.
$50 find Lon, Jack" said Glenn, in a
| low tone.
The intelligent dog started and fol
| lowed Ions track to the cabin, and
then ran down the draw and disap-
peared. Glenn pressed Alph's hand, for
Lon must have gone towards the Wag-
| on But presently Jack returned and
assembled the draw, showing that the
trail went in that direction. In the
! course of q few minutes the dog came
back and crouched at Clients feet with
| Il low whine
Lon has gone home,' cried Glenn.
YES" assented AIlph, land now l
must see you there"
no, / can go alone. I'm not a bit
|
heart is so heavy with fear for you"
You must not worry So sweet
heart" said Alph, kissing her tender
ly. Il shall be on guard now. But let
me saddle a pony for you now and take
you home"
NO. Alph,' said Glenn. Lion may be
concealed somewhere waiting for us and
he would hear the pony. We must
walk"
10
Arm in arm they assembled the draw
to the open prairie, Alph scrutinizing
every place where a man might con-
ceal himself, but he saw nothing of
! Lon. When they came to the house,
Glenn chung to Alph as though she
could not let him go. Alph kissed her
again and again and babe her good
night, saying that Lon and he must
have an understanding in the morn
ing.
ooh AIph: if you only could go away
No said Alph, firmly, 81 could not
do that
Glenn watched her lover until his form
disappeared in the darkness, and then
went upstairs to her room without being
observed. but she sat long at her win
dow, and the dawn began to stain the
| east before her eyes were closed in SUM
ber When, some time in the forenoon,
Alph came to the ranch, he was met
|
disappeared and left no word.
Alph was naturally courageous and
unsuspicous. and he made light of Ions
nocturnal journey.
"NOw, sweetheart you must promise
me not to make any more tramps at
night. Lon could not sleep, and he
walked to make himself drowsy. If he
intended to injure me he would have
done it ere this. These jealous passions
wear themselves out. Now you. must
not not Worry any more, darling" said
ooh, Alph, and he felt her tremble
in his arms, 81 have such forebodings.
If l could only plead with Lon, but he
gives me no opportunity to speak to him,
and oh. the look | saw in his face when
| told him [ was going to marry you,
and his conduct last night-oh, it makes
me so fearful
Nonsense, Glen. You know I shall
soon take you away, and then Lon will
look out fC1 someone else"
Clients face was suffused for a mo-
ment with a happy blush, but the old
fear soon returend to her. If it were
only some tangible trouble she would
find means to fight it, but how could
she forefend against a suspicion, a shad-
OW! Yet Lon surely meant mischief
when be went in the middle of the night
to Alph's cabin in that stealthy way.
1t had been agreed between Glenn and
Alph that they should be married i'm
mediately after the shearing. And prep
aratiOns were now making for the simple
wedding in the ranch-house. The plain
wedding gown was made, and in the
preparation for the wedding feast Glen s
time was taken up, so she had no time
for brOOding. Lon had not returned
and her fears, while not dispelled, were
not so active.
The wedding night came, guests and
minister arrived, and all was hustle and
joyous confusion. Glenn was clad in her
soft snow-white gown, and all said she
was the prettiest bride they ever saw.
Indeed Glenn was a fairy, who made
every spot enchanted ground. Several
times Clem's eyes caught sight of her
revolver lying in its accustomed place,
but she thought it would be foolish to
carry it when she was going to be mar
ried, but finally. she could not explain
why, she picked it up and placed it in the
pocket of her dress. How Alph will
laugh at me- she thought.
Shortly after this the simple marriage
service was proceeding in the little room
AIph and Glenn standing in front of the
guests, facing the minister.