Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1898-01-27

Tome up 10 tie mouse, TOO, 1 may
want to speak to you"
Il will. if you wish it, certainly. Blu
| think it would be better for you tt
20 alone. l will wait here. and yor
can send for me if necessary"
THAT will do" she said, and walked
on.
On asking for her sister, she was
told by the maid-servant that Mrs
Townshend was in her rooms, but
that she declined to see any one.
But do you think she meant to ex'
clude me, or only visitors, JaneY'
"She meant you, too, miss, for she
sent down word yesterday morning
that if you returned during the day,
yer to say that she could not see
YOU"
Can I see Mr.. Townshend?'
"Yes. miss; one of the doctors Is
with him now, and he said you might
go up directly you returned"
Judith went up stairs, and the doc
tor answered her knock ut the bed
oom door. She knew him by sight,
and he appeared to recognize her, for
he said, in Il low tone:
II am glad you have returned. Miss
Hatfield; my patient continually asks
for you, and, possibly. you may be able
to calm him."
Having led the way to Claude's bed.
side, he and the nurse withdrew. The
injured man saw her the instant she
crossed the threshold. but he did not
speak, and Judith could hardly re-
strain her tears as she looked at him.
He was lying on one siGe-his arms be
fnr frnn nNNu tfaao xsy.O an Sfsfn nf
plaster ON one of his temples and his
face was terribly white and haggaPd:
but Claude's expression was one Of
angry determination which scarcely
softened as he looked ut her, though he
said. gently enough:
You at last, Judy! Why didn't you
come before, when you knew / wanted
youT"
Il was told an hour age, and came
Immediately. But why did you"
Don't hesitate, my dear girl; say il
out-why did | try to commit suicide?
Well, because 1 was weary of treach-
cry and deceit-weary of being fooled
by a man who professed to be my
friend, and by the woman I called
wife. and because I could not face the
shame that threatened me. Weak. un-
manly and wicked. was it not, Judith :
But you don't know how tired I am of
it all. They tell me she is still here, In
spite of her appointment. Are they
hoping that death will claim me and
release herr"
"Hush-you are exciting yourself
unnecessarily, Claudef" Judith said,
neryously. IF your-~death released
Elsie. IL would not free Captain Her
bert. for | suppose it is Of him you are
talking:
II don't know what you meant he
exclaimed; and. by Heaven, Judith.
IL did not know you so well. / should
believe that you. also, were in the
plot!e
Il am not d~eceiving yoe.r Judith re
turned, very quietly. ~ repeat that
your death would no. release Cap
tain Herbert. He induced me to
eiope with him the night before last.
ard we were married two hours ago
Claude stared at her increduIousiy
for a moment, then he said, with a
gasp:
"What-was it You, after all. who
agreed to eiope with him? Was it you
i'm the balcony with him? l thought
SO at first, but I could not see your
face or hear your voice. But I heard
what he said, and knew that there was
no need for you to elope. When / re-
membered what had already passed
between him and Elsie, l thought ii
must be she! Tell me that it was
give me IA reason for your strange con
duct, and | may yet thank Heaven for
misdirecting the bullet that should
have taken my iife!!
Almost before he had ceased speak
ing, Judith. seeing that, by a little par
donable deception she might win him
back To love and life, aud SO save
Elsie from the consequences OF her
wicked folly, had made up her mind.
"Of curse it was H." she said, smii-
ing. Perhaps I shall not succeed in
making you believe it a good reason
for our hurried marriage, but I am sat
isiied that | have done right. My hus-
band did not trust me, and thought
that | was fooling him because l re-
jected him last year. From first to
last | have had a great deal of trouble
with him, but | shall hope now to have
him in subsection"
She paused, for Claude had buried
his face in his pillow. When he looked
up again. there were tears in his eyes.
My poor little Elsie! Where Is she?
I have been SO harsh towards her. Ju-
dith,' he said, ren~rorsefully. Twill she
ver forgive me do you thinka Go and
ask her, Judith, Tell her that 1t will
be a lesson to me forever! Ask her to
come 10 me for our child's saker'
Only too glad OF an escape. Judith
turned away, but before she had
reached the door he called her back.
Il haven't congratulated you. Judy"
he said. ~affectionately. III do so with
all my heart; and Herbert il a lucky
man. ] don't know whether he Is
aware of my suspicion; but II he L. In
ignorance, let him remain SO; 1t viii
be best for all. When I am a little
better, he must come to see me-"
Claude, you say no one Is aware of
tho suspicious you have entertained
against your wife-do the doctors and
nurse know that you attempted sui
eide. or do they believe 1t was an acct
dentT'
II don't know: but every time they
have asked me how it happened, 1
have evaded the question. But now go
and send Elsie to me, dear"
Judith. rather doubtful Of the result
OF seeking an interview with Elsie,
was determined not to lose the vic
tnexy for ,xy.rf 90 An lffflo al