The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1901-03-02

While our elders withdrew n dis
cussed with becoming gravity the union
of the families, Nora and I betook r
selves to the garden, and il our conduct
was not governed by the strict ell
quette that prevailed indoors. we yet
managed to pass half an hour very
pleasantly before we were called to re-
ceive our sires' blessings, with a hearty
grip from the one for me and a father
ly kiss from the other for the blushing
Nora.
One more scene, and the history of
the Ragged Thirteen will be as a tale
that is told.
The packet that Lennon had given
me contained the address of his wife,
and furnished me directions by which
I might easily find Jim Mcguire, and
further armed me with an authority
upon the production of which my old
friend would be at once restored to me.
I also found a letter addressed to me,
written by Lennon, during the last day
Of his life, giving me fuller details OF
the dual existence he had led, and I
understood clearly how he had been
dominated by his mother and Sweeney,
and how they kept continually alive
within him the idea that he must sacri-
fee everything to the one end and aim
Of becoming his brothers avenger.
Hard by a fourishing town on the
south coast, in a cottage smothered in
clematis and guelder roses, dwelt a
lady whose card would have informed
you that she was Madame LATTE, but
who / knew, by reason of what Len
mons packet had told me, was none
other than his widow. She was a teach
er of music, and the daintily-furnished
drawing room into which I was shown
by a neat maid, and the general air of
comfort, were conclusive proofs that
her efforts, to obtain a living had been
crowned with abundant success. She
was a woman drawing nigh to her for
tieth year, and her face. though It
showed some traces Of sorrow, was yet
q beautiful one, and her soft voice, as
she saluted me, set my heart beating.
"What might be the object Of your
visit. sir?" she asked, when I had seat
ed myself. II have not the pleasure Of
knowing your name. and If you have
called upon me with regard to taking
pupils, I may say at once that my time
is, at present, fully occupied"
at have called upon a far more urgent
matter than that" I said, land 1t is Of
so delicate a nature that I hardly know
how to begin. If I seem to have some
knowledge Of your private affairs, you
will see, when I have told my story,
that I have come by that knowledge
accidentally. I know, for instance.
that your name is not LATTE"
"Pardon me, sir she was begin
ming, when ! interrupted her.
"Believe me-" I said. that what I
have to tell you concerns most nearly
not only your happiness. but also that
Of one who was once very dear to you.
To relieve your suspense. let me say
that I was present when Maurice Len
non, who was your husband. died in
Fiji; that he expired in my arms, and
that he gave me directions by means
of which I might find you. He also told
me Of the cruel wrong he had done you,
and said he would do his best to re.
pair that wrong. It IL only natural that
you should be deeply moved by what I
am saying. and, IL you prefer It., I a
come again presently, when you have
mastered the shock which my words
must have given you"
She sat for some time without speak
ing. Then she faced me steadily.
''Tell. me all" she said. and with that
I gave her a full account Of how I had
come in contact with Jim Mcguire. and
Of all that happened to him. And I
was. perforce, obliged to give her time
to grow calm again when she had
heard Of the strange calamity that had
come upon him, and as oon as she
could listen to me I went on:
''It is to see whether we can restore
his mental balance that I have come to
you. Is there anything % could do
whereby you might stir the chords Of
his memory"
She arose and went to the piano.
'.There is a little Irish ballad that he
was Intensely fond Of" she said. land
that he always made me sing to him."
and, running her fingers over the keys.
I heard her play q few notes. and then.
to a simple accompaniment, she sang.
'T'd mourn the hopes that leave me-"
Had I been the one whose memory
needed awakenfng. the result had been
achisved then and there. She closed
the plano and looked back at me. ]
had stDen from my chaiE