The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-03-17

!. I'll NNVSoN Ntttr.
throw off all disguise and claim her a
his wife. Possibly with money sh
might bride him to take kindly TO hel
proposition and agree. Then, before h,
could spend what she had given him.
she could escape, return TO the east. ant
somewhere, anywhere hide her head
from him, from friends. from the world
and all. Home she had none That went
when her father died, lonely and heart.
broken, two years before.
And in all that garrison TO whom
could she appeal, upon whom could
she call? One man there was who, well
she knew, would open his hand as he
had his heart, and its uttermost treas
ure could be hers for the mere asking,
and that man of all others was the one
who, she prayed, might never know the
miserable truth that this was Royle
Farrar-that she was Royle Farrar's
wife.
Another there was, generous, helpful
and kind, who, did he but learn the
identity of the man sinking here .un-
der that disguise given by years of drink
and debauchery, would aid her to his
uttermost farthing, aid her as he had
before, out of pity and compassion, aid
her now with eager hand through
thought of the shame that would come
to the girl he loved, the shock that
might be in store for her beloved moth
er. There was the man-Jack Ormshy
But how to see him, and when, and
where! Not moment must be lost, be-
cause, now that Royle's presence was
known TO her, his wife, any moment
might bring on the further catastrophe.
She had never known him to stop until
sodden and stupefied.
Drink, drink, drink. In some form
he would find the poison and gulp it
down, waxing crazed and nervous if it
were withheld from him, turning mad
and reckless if it were given. Drink he
surely would all through this blessed
Christmas eve, and at any hour, any
moment on the morrow she might ex-
pect him to appear before them all, in
the midst OF their joyous Christmas
gathering, in drunken exultation, de-
his mothers board. What that would
mean to that gentle mother, whose very
life seemed now hanging by thread,
God alone could say.
And here she lay, hesitant, i,lpotent,
cowardly, when the lives and happiness
OF those dearest TO her were ut stake,
shrinking even now from an appeal to
Ormsby, who alone in all the garrison
probably was competent to advise and
help. and Ormsby had already suffered, |
and suffered much OH her account. In
the loyal observance of his promise he |
had brought himself under the ban of |
suspicion, and with half an eye Helen /
could see that Ellis looked upon their |
relation with utter distrust. Great |
heaven! Was she to he curse to every
one who had been kind to her? The
thought was intolerable.
Helen Daunton amazed her friend by
Swinging from her bed and throwing
up the window SASH "Air, air!' she
noaned. II feel as though were srf1o-
'ating, and, leaning far out into the
yintry twilight, bathing her aching
lead i'll the cold, sparkling air, she
,azed wildly northward toward the
bluff. Aye, muffled in the heavy canvas
'vercoat, the fur cap down about the
'loated, bearded face, slouching along
he sentry post was the form she dread
a, mated to see, yet sought with burn
ng eyes. As she gazed he saw ard
TODD and, leering over the intervening
lrlfts OF spotless snow, kissed his fur
,loved paw and tossed his hand in half
ieiiant, half derisive, all insulting salu-
alton.
Mrs. Farrar," she cried in utter
desperation, turning madly away from
he hateful sight, IL must get into
he open air awhile. You won't mind,
lear. l must walk, walk, run, rush in
he cold. No, don't come, and pray let
ellis keep with you. In 10, 90 minutes
t most, I'll return
An, Helen, wait until Willy, until
ialcolm Leale, returns from the stables
ice, they're coming now. They will
walk with you
oh, no, no, mol Do you not see? l
nust be alone. cannot talk with any :
ne. Let me CO." she cried. Then, be.
ore either the mother could interpose or
Ills, who came huryying into the room. {
ould urge one word, she had seized
eavy wrap and gone almost BOUNDING
own the stairs. 1
AT the threshold she recoilcd, for
lere, his honest face full of eagcrness 4,
the door flew open, stood Jack Orms-