Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1901-03-20

=p= .ou Ga not. Much us / nave
always revered and loved my father, |
ind myself hoping that he has said
other words 10 me than those you ex-
pectcd him to. That In his wish to see
me P~hilemolfs wife he has resorted to
an unworthy subterfuge to separate US
and that there Is no truth in the story
be told me last night or at least not the
truth he would impress upon me.
IL his account Of the Interview be-
tween you Is a correct one, and you
have nothing to add to IL in way Of ex-
PLANTATION. then the return Of this letter
will be token enough that my father
has been just In his accusations and
that the bond between us must be bro
ken. But If, oh. James. II you are the
true mar ! consider you and all that |
have heard Is n fabrication or mistake,
then come 10 me at once. Do not de-
lay. but come at once, and the sight of
your face at the gate will be enough to
establish your innocence in my eyes II
not In those Of less intuition than your
AGATHA.
The letter that followed this was
very short:
DEAR JAMEs-The package OF letters
has been received. God help me TO
bear this shock to all my hopes and the
death Of all my girlish beliefs. l am
not angry. only those who have some
thing left TO hold TO in life can be an
CRY.
My father tells me he has received a
packet too. 1t contained $1,000 in ten
$500 notes. James, James, was not
my love enough that you should want
my fathers money too?
l have begged my father, and he has
promised me to keep the cause of this
rupture secret. No one shall know
from either of us that James label has
any flaw In his nature.
The next letter was dated some
months later. 1t was to Philemon;
DEAR pHtLEMoN-Thc gloves are toe
small; besides, ! never wear gloves. !
hate their restraint and do not feel
there is any good reason for hiding my
hands In this little country town, where
everybody knows me. Why not give
them to Hattie Weller? She likes such
things, while ! have had my fill of fin.
cry. A girl whose one duty is to care
for n dying father has not room left
for vanities.
DEAR PHMEMoN-You will have my
hand, though | haze told you that my
heart does not go with 1t. 1t is hard tC
understand such persistence, but If yor
are satisfied to take a woman of my
strength against her viii then God
have mercy upon you, for l will be
your wife.
But do not ask me TO go to Sutber
landtown. / shall live here. And dc
not expect TO keep up yonr intimacy
with the labels. There Is no tie of af'
lection remaining between James and
myself. but If ! am TO shed that hall
light over your home, which Is all
can promise and all that you can hope
to receive, then keep me from all In
fiuence but your own. That this II
time may grow sweet and dear to me Il
my earnest prayer today, for you are
worthy Of a true wife. AGATHA.
DEAR .Jouy-I am going to be mar
ried. Ny father eyacts It, and there
is no good reason why | shall not Civ,
him this final satisfaction. At least
do not think there is, but II you or you
brother differs from me
Say goodby TO James from me.
pray that his life may be peaceful.
know that it win be honest.
AGATHA.
DEAR PHILEMoS-My father is worse
He fears that IL we wait till Tuesday
he will not be able to see us married
Decide, then, what n duty is. an
ready to abide by your pleasure.
AGATHA.
The following Is from John label Il
his brother James. and Is dated one
day after the above:
DEAR JAMEs-When you read this,
will be far away, never TO look In you.
face again unless you bid me. Brother
brother, ! meant it for the best, Blu
God was not with me. and | have mad
-four hearts miserable without glvin;
help to any one.
fro BE CONTINUED f,
DESERT LAND FINAL PRooF-No.ic