The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-06

ach troubles mailed free by addressing The
Stuart Co., Marshall, Mich.
after the train and finally ceasing satisfied
with having chased it off the premises. At
last there was Jack in the bayfield,; he
waved his hat gayly and the horses looked
backward over their shoulders at their fly
ing rival With frightened gasp Annette
shrank into the cushions. A flood of sick
ening anguish engulfed her. For the first
time the full realization that she was for
saking her husband crowded upon her. She
forgot the dreariness of the prairie, the
emptiness of it's landscape, the acres of
solitude; she forgot her desolation and suf-
fering. The vision of the empty home
smote her. The words of Jacks last good
bye sounded in her ears; the pressure of
his kiss was upon her lips.
She slowly Strengthened herself in her
seat and brushed her face as if to drive
away the sight of it. Then a new look
came into her eyes; holy fire suffused her
countenance, such as might have shone in
the eyes of the Christian maiden and
blotted out fear of the beast.
Yes, she would return 1t was rot too
late. She could take the next train back,
and intercept that cruel note. He Should
never read it-should never know.
The sun was sinking low into the western
horizon when she came again to the town,
and it's golden light glorifed the tall, red
turreted elevators and softened the outlines
of the gaunt frame buildings until they
looked no longer hateful to her. She
FASTENED across the sandy road to the post
office with almost a light heart.
you sent the letter out to my husband?'
she cried sharply.
A numbing fear took possession of her. 1t
was, then, after all, too late. Already he
had read the lines, and knew of her I'M
wifely intentions. Could he ever love her
now? And in her desolation the need of his
love, above all things, grew apparent.
However, it should make no change in
her resolve. Duty still pointed out the road
YEARLY, regretfully must she take up the
dropped stitch of life; perhaps, sometime,
she could live it down.
The misery of the homeward ride she can
never forget. She shut her teeth in firm
resolve and chung desperately to the pony,
while he flew over the road; all the while
the dull thuds of his footsteps sounded
IN her ears like coffin clods.
She seemed to see in her minds eye
Jacks surprised greeting, his calm, cold,
cutting words, than which she would rather
face DEATH she sobbed, weakly, over and
over.
Then, from the crest of the rise, the
house came in view. The picketed horses
came trotting toward her to the length of
their ropes with many an arch of the back
and friendly neigh of recognition for their
comrade. Prince came running down the
road, frantic with welcome, and Jack
came to the door with a skillet in his
hand.
Supper is ready" he cried gayly, coming
to lift her tenderly from the saddle.
What-what, she cried to herself, dizzily,
could it be he had never received the letter
Then she tainted in his arms.
When she revived she chung to him and
looked earnestly in his eyes; hope leaped in
her bosom. There was no cloud on his
brow; he did not know.
When the dishes were cleared away they
took their chairs into the front yard. The
moon was rising in sleepy-eyed splendor.
Il have something to tell you," he said,
drawing close to her. Good news" he
added hastily, alarmed by the look on her
face. Il sold the farm to-day. The Illinois
man bought it, paid every dollar in cash,
and have it here, and best of all, the let
ter that came this afternoon"-she caught
her breath-"was from the Journal. Briggs
says 1 can have my old place again, and
for me to come at once"
He silenced her with wave of his hand,
II knew" he continued, that you were
dissatisfied: saw it all along and it nearly
killed me- 1 blamed myself for bringing you
to such place, and-but-wait till L get
my pipe"
A moment later she heard him knocking
about in the house. Then she noticed Prince
digging in the dirt and caught the fiutter of
something white.
Bring it here, sir!' she cried, sternly.
When he had brought it with reluctant
| step and downcast demeanor, she saw it to
| be a letter-her own letter to Jack-the
hateful letter. crumpled and earth-stained
| but - unopened. With a cry of joy she
seized the dog in her arms and kissed his
earthly nose. She ceased her demonstra-
tions a moment to answer Jacks voice
from the doorway.
''Oh, in that package?" she replied.
''Why. cigars I bought them for you to-
day-the biggest ones 1 could find"
"Um, um," said Jack, shifting at them
suspiciously; they are nice. 1 will save
them for Sunday
| When he had lighted his pipe and taken
a few satisfied puffs he remarked: Cop
/ ley said he left two letters for me under
the door, but could find only one. 1 sup
! pose the wind blew it away"
| Annette said nothing, but stroked Prince.
ard he thumped his tail on the ground and
looked fondly, first at one, then at the
! other.