Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1900-03-07
IN A SINGLE NIGHT.
The Terrible Trial of a Young Wife Left on Guard

The Terrible Trial of a J
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
"What beautiful young woman!
And yet her hair is white as snow."
'sAnd her complexion fresh Us is a
child's. Strange, is it not?"
Thus commented two loungers on
hotel porch. But they did not know
the history of that snowy hair.
From the time Harry Wells fell in
love with Mamie Clausen at church
socials until their marriage in the
First Presbyterian church, the entire
community gave minute consideration
to their affairs. Mamie's father, ] ohm
Clausen, was promine ent commission
merchant in Pennsylvania town, gen.
orally considered wealthy, and always
lived like man of means. Mamie
was pretty, dashing, a local belle and
a, general favorite. Harry's family
lived few miles from town, and they,
too, were people of reputation in the
county.
The marriage was in every way a
suitable one. Harry was educated at
Princeton, and although he had Mt one
time the reputation of being wild, he
had sobered down, and was such a
frank, manly young fellow that he was
generally forgiven any indiscretion.
The marriage was the occasion of
general rejoicing. Mamies father
gave her au unusually good send OF,
and the details were sent far and wide
through the state. Harry had studied
law for while, and had settled down
into country notary, drawing up
deeds, and doing hack-worh OF that
sort They lived about four miles
ont of town, and two miles from old
Johns. He had built them pretty
modern cottage on a detached portion
of his farm. Harry had his Office, an
ornamental little structure, few rods
from the house, and there they lived
as happy as two birds.
Gradually Harry picked up business,
and, finally, through his father, he be.
came trustee for some minor heirs
They were an odd lot of children, with
q half f-crazy metheS, and no end of
coal lands and mining Investments.
II was ii goSa thing ffols Harry, nj
sss!a i I'll sbiona xer 1. g worst
was slsat It obliged him to 60 to:
Scranton now and then, aud leave
Manie. When Harry had TO go away,
Mamie would get in her phaeton and
drive to tow and there were always
some of the young people ready to go
ont and keep her company. Harry al
ways insisted that she must not stay
alone.
One August afternoon Harry had an
unexpected summons to go to Scran-
ton about suit connected with the
minor he rs. He had recently sold
some OF their property, and had been
making various collections, which left
in his hands forty five hundred dollars.
When he found that he must go off at
q few moments notice, he wrapped up
a bundle of papers and this money
and took them into the house. Mamie
was making preparations for picnic
they were to go to the next day, and
begged him to wait until the day
after.
..But, my dear child. I haven't time
even to go to town and put these in
the bank, so you'll have to take care
of them. I'll try and get back in two
days at the furthest, meanwhile no.
body will know that the money is
here"
Then he explained to her the value
of the papers, and handed her can
vas bag, in which was the forty-five
hundred dollars belonging to the
minor heirs.
"Where shall keep it, Harry? Be-
tween the mattresses?"
"Just like woman! No. But I
declare don't know where to tell
you. The most insecure place up
parently is often the most secure.
Any place, dear, but between the mat
tresses. Ileave that to you. But you
must guard it, if necessary, with your
life; for rem amber the money is not
ours, and at all hazards am respon-
sible. I don'treally suppose there is
the least danger, for no one knows l
have il. But one ought to take proper
precautions, and I beg of You not to
admit any tramps while I am gone.
Tell Sarah not even to allow them to
eat biscuit"
"All right, dear; we won't let the
tramps have drink, even, and I'll
take care of the money, you may be
sure"
Harry bade his wife good-by, and
Mamie gave up the picnic. At the
end of two days she received q tele-
gram from him. saying he had been
detained, and telling her to get some
one to stay with her for two days, when
he would be at home. She drove into
town, and one of her old friends went
out with her. At the end of two days
she had another telegram saying that
he was detained until the next day.
Her friend went home, and in place of
Harry came third telegram, and 80
every day for ten days he was ex-
pected home, and every dny came a
disappointing telegram. BY this time
she had become accustomed to her
charge, which she had Sc like q bag
of seed-beans in corner of dark
closet opening from her room.
The afternoon of the tenth day was
q hot, murky afternoon. Mamie had
gone upstairs to take a nap and re-
fresh before dressing to meet Harry,
who was expected home after the
longest absence he had ever made
from her.
After time Sarah came up and told
her there was tramp downstairs who