Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1898-12-23

-Oh. what an old simpleton / was 10
brighten you with what / said, Come.
I'll go with you"
but the doors locked, ma'am; we
can't get in, and / know / heard some
thing in there"
Just here there was light tap on
the door and the poor girl fairly ehig-
cred until she heard Mrs Bowen 3
voice, then the door was pushed open
What is the matter up here2 l
was on the floor below and I heard a
scream"
This foolish girl says she heard
some one groaning in the back room
She is afraid to go in there for me-
1.-The doors locked: l can't get in
the girl muttered-
Who could have locked it7 I'll 60
and see TO it myself"
Mrs. Bowen tried the door and found
il locked She also heard groans IN
side, but her nerves were in fine con-
dition-<only an unpaid board bill could
upset them-so she very calmly and
| decidedly shook the knob and in hrm
tones demanded:
~who is in thereg Is it you. Mr.
DerneIl2"
A minute later the door was opened
and a man stood there in dressing
gown and slippers. with handkerchief
bound about his forehead.
why, what is the matter. sir2 Are
you ill2"
Il met with an accident last night.
Mrs. Bowen. There was snow on the
steps and l slipped and cut my head
came in quite late and / must have
frightened lady who sat here writing
had to come back to the city sooner
than l expected. There is a fearful
pain in my head this morning, but
don't think it is anything serious"
Mrs. Bowen had two Christmas in
valids on her hands. When Miss Rol-
iins confessed her fright of the night
and told how near she had come to
belief in ghosts. they had good laugh
over il. The ghost recovered in time
for hearty dinner. but Miss Rollins
was still very pale and she trembled
quite perceptibly when Mrs. Bowen
presented the ghost
They were alone in the parlor for a
few minutes after dinner when Mr.
Dernell. deliberately crossing the
room, stood before Miss Rollins.
Don't you know me. Nary"
'Is it-Howard?r she asked, with
quivering lips.
ct is Howard. Nary want you to
forgive me-"
She said nothing-just sat there,
pale, sad-faced little woman, not the
firm. decided little old maid of the last
fifteen years
At length she rose from the chair
and tried to pass him
ooh, yes-I forgive you. of course
1 shall go home today. so-goodby.
"Oh no, Mary. it mustn't be goodbyl
I've been wicked and selfish all these
years, but at least, Mary dear, have
never loved any woman but you |
just kept staying away couldn't
seem to succeedin anything. somehow,
and I kept chasing an imaginary for
tune I found a real one two years ago
and 1 came back TO share it with you.
my poor little neglected wife | went
to your old home. but you were not
there-I have advertised in the New
York papers several times When |
saw you last night I was so taken by
surprise-the blow on my head had
stunned me little and / could only
stand there looking at you Let me
make up to you. Mary. for all these
years of neglect, am not bad man
only a poor, weak specimen Of hu-
manity."
But am an old woman now. How
ard. 1t is better as il is, and / have
become quite used to living my life
alone"
Isn't there bit of the old love left,
Nary"
'I wish 1 could say no. Howard,
but it would not be true l have been
weak enough to keep on loving you,"
Then / will not let you go-you are
my wife even IL the world does not
know it. We will have another we'd
ding and / will do what l can TO atone
for all these wasted years You won't
say no. Mary dear?'
She did not say anything at all, for
the tears came, choking her voice. but
relieving her overcharged nerves
A few evenings later there was lit
tie wedding in Mrs Bowen's parlor.
and the rest OF Miss Rollins" New
York visit was turned into wedding