Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1898-05-26
"sAlrs. ~Packenham.'

Possibly the lawyers tone carried
conviction with ii. for a quick flash Of
her eyes said, almost, as plainly as
spoken words:
Pardon mel'
The name by which lie addressed her
struck him as a great anomaly. Yet
he used it because it vas hers by
right, for she was Packenham's wife,
and had a right to his money. and she
should suffer no want If he could help
it. He would himself see to the last
sad Offices and all that could be done
for the brother whom she loved so
dearly. But 1t was difficult to find
words to tell her so.
II am here by my clients desire. TO
tell You that everything will be made
as smooth as possible for you in the
distressing circumstances. | gladly I'M
dertake the duty of seeing that you are
spared n further trouble"
Mr.. Cleavland felt himself compar-
ativeiy at ease as be spoke. He wenll
deal with business matters, hard facts
and details that were TO be entered in
to; but when ii came to the emotional
side Of matters his difficulties appeared
overwhelming and his voice faltered.
For all the calm of her appearance,
as she stood therein that dingy room.
with the duh light Of London made
still duller by the fact that, out of re-
spect to the dead a lying up stairs,
the blinds were down, he knew that
there were depths of feeling that he
dared not stir. Although he told her
of his power to supply her with mon
ey for all her needs, yet, as an utter
stranger, he dared not offer her a grain
of that sympathy and affection for
which she crlved.
Spared any further trouble!' she
repeated, vaguely. as il she could hard
ly grasp his meaning. can be spared
10 trouble now that I am left TO face il
all alone"
II mean"-Mr. Cleavland would have
given worlds to have had more mel
lifiuous words at commando mean
with regard to the necessary expenses
incident TO wha. has occurred"
Stu the girl appeared unable to com
prehend him.
MANY things lave occurred that
money has no power to help" she saio.
II grant that, and most deeply do, l
sympathize with you i'm the sad event.
Aphl otiti, hlOLGg vi DC AlCIGoSslly .
Your poor brother"
She turned quickly round, and ex.
claimed:
Money could have helped him yes
terday! 1t is powerless today and a
great sob. which she had with diff
Guilty repressed, would make itself
heard. I'VE had so little, what with
the journey here and the bitter cold.
We never felt it before. But my
brother fought against everything until
he brought ME here. But the climate
killed him. Father Fletcher was
obliged to 60 back. l ~telegraphed to
him; but he may not come-no one
will comet"
A. great feeling of pity took posses
sion of Cleavland.
.'You need not fear for the future"
he said. II am authorized to tell you
that everything will be e to-"
The girl looked up with hot cheeks.
"You mean that If the mar whom |
call my husband has neither affection
nor recognition to offer me, he has sent
a stranger to tell me he will supply me
He owes me none aud | will not ac-
cept it,
But you are entitled to it," Cleav-
land told her. You must remember
that he acknowledges you as his wife.
1t was from his own lips l heard the
story of your marriage
HE does not deny it," she asked,
anxiously.
Most certainly not
II thought he had" she said, with a
little sigh of relief; and the set face
- g.xNrtxnu - nfnr frAY,. IrD-
land"
The lawyer caught at the sugges-
ton at once.
"Yes, ~yes-when he returns from Ire
land. Until then you will allow me to
supply you with all you need
BY some swift feminine intuition she
felt that she had secured a friend.
II can only place myself in your
hands, am so ignorant" she replied.
but you will trust me, and permit
me to act for your
Mr.. Cleavland had drawn a step
nearer to where she stood. He looked
into her face with appealing eyes, for
his whole soul was filled with sympa-
thy for this young creature, left to her
fate by the maj who had vowed TO
love and cherish her.
..There will be mourning she re.
marked.
That being a point on which he was
not qualified to advise her, he babe her
consult her landlady, and left her, his
heart filed with Indignation against
the man who was discarding such a
oma
On the doorstep a whlte-haired man
was standing in eager conversation
with the lachrymose landlady, who
muttered "Mr. Packenham,' and drew
aside.
The man was dressed like a clergy
man, and something in his face ar
rested Mr.. Cleavland's attention,
Packenham's sneer ut the ..parson
man. came to the lawyers mind, and
they stood looking at each other. Here
was a curious fix, for Mr.. Cleayland
did not know him as anything but the
! "parson man. which term 1t was i'm
possible to address him by. But the
stranger spoke first
You are not Mr.. Packenham,' he
said, almost sterniy.
Ellis maa of business" Mr.. Cleav-
land rejoined. .uiSkly.
II am Dudley Metcher OF the Spoor-
fontein Mission. / have come to my
poor child In her terrible bereave-
ment. | was on my way home when