Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-07-01
CHAPTER NNNIV.-fCon..nued)

Eric LleWellyE, the GeaG-:tlive. the man
for whom his girl-wife mourns In
widows deeolate anguish. and for whom
his mothers gray hairs are going down
to the grave in the quiet. benumbed, pas
sionate grief of the heart that has beat
through more than sixty years OF this
worlds troublous time-Eric Llewe!lyn.
alive and strong. and full of vigor and
manhoods power, after he has warmly re-
ciprocated his cousins welcoming ca
resses. looks about restlessly end feverish-
~ still. his heart hunsering for another
welcome.
"This is Curraghdene. isn't it, Hettie?
he asks. hurriedly, and looking around
with bewildered glance. 1t is so al
tered, can hardly recognize it 10 he the
same place, And where is Muriel. Het-
tic?" he whispers. his voice failing him
"Hettie. dear. where is my poor little
! wife,"
"She is. she isl don't know where she
is" Hester says. impatiently. and burst
in: into bitter tears as she lays her head
again or Eric's breast. "Oh. Eric! Eric!
give me Il minute before you give Murlel
the rest of your life.
Hectic! don't keep me in suspense. he
says, and his voice is stern through emo
| ton, tell me where Muriel isl
II don't know I assure you. Eric. Hes
| ter answers. quietly. subduing herself by
| q powerful effort. "She is out spending
| the evening with some of her friends.
believe; she did not tell me where she was
| going"
Good heavens! have come across the
| world, and now ! may wait here hours in
7 h.r bu
| in the injustice of his ieverish longing.
| "You don't ask for your poor mother.
Eric" Hester says sorrowful!y, as she
| turns to leave the room.
"Yes. do ask. and l want to see herr
! he says, his eyes flashing, but l want 70
| see my wife. too!'
~ will 20 and break the news 10 poor
aunt" Hettie says. in low. trembling
voice Of well simulated tinidity. land then
! l will go myself and try and find Muricl
| for you. since you cannot endure us WITH
| ont herr and the words die away in a
! choking sob.
Upstairs Hettie breaks the joyful news
! as gently rs she may, but she cannot quite
| avoid the distressing scene that ensues
when she brings Eric in and the gray
| haired mother clasps her son to the breast
|
and son together aid hurres away to her
own room. locks herself in end wrestles
with the demons Of Jealous despair ard
| hatred that are warning for her soul
II could kill her. ! could kill her, she
says, wildly. as she PAGES UP and down
Ike a caced ti@ress xiii her? would
Go it in a moment without hesitation or
pity. if only could, would shoot her.
| stab her. poison her, if ] could only keep
her from him forever and ever. But /
can't can't.
| No, she cannot. She cannot keep Eric
| from the woman be loves ard the woman
| who loves him so dearly: she cannot keep
them asunder any more! \ few minutes,
an hour at cios,. and MurieI and Eer lover
will be reunited. never TO part again as
| long as they both shall live!
AT ali events he saa.l va. a while for
her. She shall Tot ...t:uCe On IS n the
| first lo;r OF bis return sic thinks. in
! her bitter useless -ancor and Jealousy.
as she b&.hcs her flushed face, and applies
! velvety. cooin: po,.t.re de rose ana adj
| justs her curling locks. ard goes down
| stairs. e>tward.y as calm as n snow-coy-
cred volcano. and gives her orders to
| I1c,~,~>.a O'Ev:!, rs TIE FIRST servant she
, :-.tc;s.
Ard Hannah. receiving Miss Gtap,eton's
clear, torcible directions with an insliti: :;
| air OF contemptuoGs amusement. losses
| her head. while her eyes tW.nG.e with sly
| maliciousaess and triumph. as few eyes
| in the world. but Irish eyes. can twinkle.
| DO you underestimate Hester says. los
| ing her temper in a g;:st OF rage which she
| cannot subdUc. IF you dare TO aisobey my
| instructions. and any harm comes of it,
| you shall answer for it! Do yon hear me ?
Let me not see you attempt to leave the
! house or send anyone out of the house to
find Mrs. llewe.lyn or speak enc word to
| her when she does return. until l see her
! md break TIE news to her myself! Mind.
| l warn you. and will tel Col LIewellyn
| I have warned you. ard YOU will be to
| blame if your gossipinG tongue iriShtens
Mrs. Llawel!yn to DEATH
| .! don't know about my 'gosspin'
! tongue friten:n' her to death. Miss Sta
| pleton." Hannah retorts, loudly. Il know
| that somebody's tongue has nearly drov.
| the craythur to her death. an nigh bruis
about tongues Miss Stapleton, for I've
| long one, an an ugly one whin l begins
| -'pecialy whin there's someone come
nome 10 near lHe IlsHtS an the wrongs,
! an stan up for thin that can't detind
thmsilvcs. Miss Stapleton. The poor
young MISTRESS will be tould the good
news O her husband comm back agen to
her afore you've time 20 salt it an sayson
| it for her. I'm afeared yere too late in the
| field, Miss! kirwan's gone a quarter OF
an hour ago to find her an bring her hons
| flynn to himself"
And Hester knows, and feels through
every nerve, the bitter truth that she il
foiled utterly. She walks away slowly
and goes into the empty drawing room
for Mr.. Farren has discreetly retired tc
the spare room, where Hannah has lit the
fire and brought him cup of tea.
She sinks down again in her chair by
the freight. and in the bitterness Of hel
| spirit wishes she were dead-wishes she