The Washington times., 1902-12-07

was raided there on the ranch. and taken
10 the Apache camp, I had a wife walt
ing for me in England. l never told you
that. I didn't seem to be able to talk
about Il before, even though it's half a
lifetime and more ago-E2lf a lifetime
and more ago. he repeated like one in a
dream.
Many and many time my heart grew
sick with longing In those weeks before
set foot in England, and started on the
last bit Of my journey. had to tramp
It, Maybe / was foolish. maybe wise.
but something inside me prevented me
from sending TO let my friends know that
I was coming. An awful terror that they
might be dead. and Kitty. TOO. made
me dread 20 write 10 them. I thought
would just tramp home to see for
myself.
1t was springtime when 1 reached
the village. The cuckoos were calling
across the cornneld and the larks sprang
from under my feet. singing as only
English larks can sing. The elms we're
bursting into leaf. the high hedges in
the lane were covered with primroses. in
the cottage gardens I saw great clumps
Of daHodlls.
And sat there stock still. watching.
watching. watching.
Il saw her stop by the step, and Dick
Lane moved down beside her and took
her hand 1 could nave screamed 10 him
10 drop il, 20 give her ur 20 me, but that
band Of ice around my heart kept me
silent; l only looked. and looked, and
looked.
Then the parson began TO speak. but
! never heard a word Of what he said.
till he came TO the words that went into
my brain and scared it like a red-hot
iron.
Therefore II any man can show any
just cause why they may not be lawfully
Joined together let him now speak or else
hereafter hold his peace.
He said those words very slowly. and
he stopped after he had spoken them. as
though he were waiting 70 see II anybody
would speak And I clutched at the seat
and tire thoughts that went through my
mind seemed like the thoughts Of months
instead Of only those few seconds.
Let him now speak or else forever
hereafter hold his peace
Speak now-spoaK now a voice kept
saying in my heart. speak straight out,
and you'll get your wife again, and your
home. and everything you care about on
this earth She is yours by every law Of
God and man
Il opened my lips to speak those
words, but they would not come. 7
thought of Kitty as she had been seven
years ago. and l thought OF what she
would look like n I said those words
that mus; bring her back to me. tell
you I seemed TO see the color fade out
Of her face and the happiness die out Of
her eyes, and the words / had heard rhe
woman say flashed before me.
This time her heart goes with her
vows II / spoke out now-I should
break my girls heart!
or else hereafter for ever hold his
peace
Else hereafter forever hold thy
peace The echo of those words stiu
rang round my brain. when ! heard the
parsons voice begin again. and knew
that what ia done I'd done for good and
all
II didn't know then whether I'd acted
rightly. / don't know now. just drop
ped down into the seat when the parson
said verv low and clear,
What God hath Joined together let
no man put asuuder'-and then. because
/ couldn't bear any more, / got up and
stumbled out OF the church.
1T was all tramping for me for many
days afterward. ia made up my mind
that nothing should ever take me back
TO the village again. They thought
was dead would be dead to them. I've
not told you their right names-there $
no tracing either me OF them. I shall
never trouble their lives any more
never anv more.
Il don't want anyone 10 Judge me for
what ] did. Maybe ] was right, maybe
/ was wrong. God knows. But whether
right or wrong. I've kept TO those words
faithfully, Else hereafter forever hold
nv Uegpa p -