Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1899-07-06

whose pastor had tutored Herbert In
his college days. Within a week We
sailed for America. After some little
travel we found ourselves in New Or
leans. There Herbert became interest
ed in some mining schemes. when
promised wonderful and immediate Tor
tune. 1t was necessary that he should
90 TO the far West. He thought the
tourney too long and arduous for me to
undertake. He left me behind, prolnls-
ing TO return in four months time. Two
had not gone by when the fever broke
cut In New Orleans. | was stricken
down hy ii and carried TO the hospital.
Through a mistake l was feporleu
dead. The news of my fate was sent
10 Herbert. When, long weeks altei.
wards, / recovered Consciousness II
health. I found he had been In New
Orleans and placed there a monument
to my memory; then had vanished.
none knew where. | wrote him AGAIN
and again. TO the old address, but re-
ceived no reply. | could gain no trace
OF him. At last | thought that perhaps
he had returned TO England. Perhaps,
unembarfassed by me, his famliy hau
again received him. Should again
make him fcrswear them all for me:
But my hunger grew too great thus 70
silence it. Doubt must give place 10
certainty. Besides, my means were al
most exhausted. | returned 10 m
land: | saw your advertisement lt
strengthened my belief, my terrible
fear. that my husband was dead; but
my necessities directed my steps ~
you" -.
.'Say. rather. Providence, my child"
replied the barrister, kindly. To-day
this very afternoon, you shall go with
me TO Montfort Castle. But first |
must ask what papers you have III
proof of what you say? Pardon me.
my dear, but 1t is the lawyers cues
ton"
Il had thought of that" She replied,
and again that strange smile played
about her lips, as she thrust her hand
within the bosom of her dress. Il
have but these two" laying two thin
papers on the table. my marriage
certificate and the record in st. SUI
plice's hospital. New Orleans. OF my
death. They are strange companions.
are they not? But is shows on what
strange threads hang human life.
When I was first taken i'll the nurses
at the hospital found the first-named
within my dress. They laid it careful
Is away. My room afterward was
changed. The patient in the old room
died. Through n mistake the record or
her death bore my name. All, yes,
have another proof-my wedding
ringr'
She slipped her glove from her hand.
and drew from her wedding finger a
plain gold circlet. Inside was inscribed,
Herbert to Dorothy" with the date cor
responding to that on the certificate.
1T is enough" said the lawyer. IN
deed, your story needs little corrobora-
ton, and for the sake of your husband,
dear. the boy who yet, | trust may re-
turn to find the mother whom he
thought alienated. the heritage he be-
lieved forfeited. the wife he mourned
as dead. you will love and comfort the
mother. will you not? Aye. and for.
give her all that she has made You suf-
fer? Pardon me, my dear; one question
more. Have you children
None she answered.
The barrister sadly shook his head.
II am sorry" he said, musingly.
"Children's fingers can best heal old
wounds, such as are still fresh in Lady
M~ontfort's heart. But we are losing
time. To-day, my dear, Montfort Castle
shall welcome it's young mistress, and
never, let me add, has there been a
fairer wearer of the proud old patrician
title. Allow me to be the first TO greet
you as my Lady Montfortr'