The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1899-04-13

train in few hours. Twas about to ex-
ruse myself and retire when the man
turned to me:
Well, Mrs. Durant, You may con-
gratulate yourself on having your hus-
sand back tonight. Last nights was
The toughest job we have had for a long
time. We were lucky in just catching
the last train, or we should surely have
been taken. l don't believe there is a
square inoh in the village that has not
been secured before this.
las he spoke Arthur made step for.
ward as though to interrupt him. But
be stopped short suddenly and allowed
him TO continue. But when the man
smptied handful of jewelry out of his
pocket Arthur put his hand over it with
al oath. A ring rolled across the table,
[ knew 1t in moment-papa' S signet
ring, which had never been off his fin
ger within my memory.
How did you become possessed of
shat ring?' gasped in voice which
scarcely recognized as my own.
1.-The man picked it up, slipped it on
ais finger and turned his hand about to
show it to advantage
Eyes. it's valuable, isn't it, but
not negotiable. The old dukes a game
an, but
Shut up, you foolP cried Arthur.
The ground seemed to rock. I caught a
chair to steady myself Arthur's face
was suffused with deadly rage; his
hands were clinched; he started for
ward as though he would Rave struck
the man who had betrayed him. Then
he folded his arms and stood as if wait.
ing for me to speak.
"'And you, Arthur-you, my hus-
band, common theft I cried. oh! I
cannot, cannot believe it. Tell me am
dreaming. Tell me I am mad-any-
thing but that and went to him and
seized his hand. He turned his face
away and did not speak. l sank to the
floor in my shame, and the love I had
borne him lay dead and in it's place was
born passionate hate. My voice was
low when I spoke: Then your specula-
tions were burglaries. Your last infamy
the robbery and perhaps murder of my
father! May never see you again
never hear your name-never remember
that ever met you! Tonight l leave
you, and will never again willingly
let my eyes rest on your
"My wedding ring I flung from me.
It's touch was pollution.
"Iwould have passed out of the house
as was without cloak or hat, but he
barred my way. Not SO fast, Florence.
You married me for better and for
worse, and you shall not leave me. Till
the gray dawn crept in he argued,
prayed, besought, threatened. His COM
panion had long since SUNK away. At
last, in answer to burst of threats,
said, with all the determination of a
desperate woman: THE up train goes
from the junction at 8 o'clock. If you
do not let me leave by that train, will
arouse the house and denounce you
both. You will be taken red handed.
You have reminded me that wife can
not give evidence against her husband,
but those things will be enough to con.
denim you In vain he implored me tC
stay and told me of his undying love.
Lover cried. Such love as yours is
worse than hate. Words cannot tell you
how / despise and loatbe you.'
"' All right, madam he Missed
between his teeth. You have said
quite enough. You have yolr GuFq
today. Mine will come before long,
and then You'll repent what you've said
tonight.
'The z go train carried me to London.
Arthur Durant stood on the platform,
hat in hand. Oh, the ghastliness of the
farce! His face wore a look SO diabolio-
al that had not been past all fear it
would have terrified me.
"By the newspapers I learned that
both Glenmore and Abbinghall had
been broken into and large amount of
valuables carried away. The Duke of
Lundy, who was disturbed and attempt
ed a capture, was hurt in the scufle
Mr.. Durant was away from home at the
time, but returned the next day. The
police had no clew. Oh, the bitter irony
Of it all
81 took rooms in this little house at
Hammersmith, and for weeks I was ill.
My landlady was kind, and when my
money was nearly all spent she made
arrangements for me to do fancy work
for her sisters shop
The further entries of that year dealt
with her uneventful life in the Ham
mersmith lodgings. Then came others
that Mabel read eagerly:
'Today, as / came out of shop
where had taken my work, l noticed
tall man watching me with interest.
looked at him a second time. 1t was
Robert! knew him at once by the scar
on his forehead and his dear red hair.
But, oh, how altered he was-and he
has lost an arml He scarcely waited for
my exclamation Of Joy and surprise to
come to me. What a meeting it was |
Poor boy! How he must have suffered
since he left usl We walked about for
hours in the park, talking about what
had happened since we saw one anoth-
er. He was naturally much surprised to
learn I was living alone and in such
shabby rooms I told him very little
about my husband. Robert rejoins a
theatrical company next week in Scot
land.
"Feh Eve have had long day