The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1902-10-30

TO remain with his wife. should Alice
chance to he alive, was utterly out of
the question. His conscience and In.
tegrlty. the whole man in him. forbade
that He would prove the dream either
true or false. even though the result
might break his heart.
The next day. therefore. he instructed
his valet to pack his portmantcaus. and
forward the same to him. directly he
sent for them. Then he called on his
lawyer, an old college chum.
George he said. brokenly. gripping
his hand. certain circumstances have
arisen which may necessitate my leav.
Ing the country | shall know definite
ly tomorrow night Everything is hor
ribly unreal. as yet. But there ask me
no details, there's good fellow. Only
pledge your word to take this explana
tion to my wife. Comfort her George,
in memory of the old days. Let nc
harm befall her. don't allow her to
grievc or fret. settle my affairs for
her"
And ere the astonished man of law
could accept or refuse the trust. Horace
had rushed away.
How the intervening hours passed.
Horace was never clearly conscious.
The appointed time. however at last
drew near, ana faint and haggard. he
quickly repaired to the place of meet.
ing. anxious. yet dreadug. to learn the
worst Jedrey was already there, and
stepped forward from the shadow of
one of the arches.
That's right" he said briskly, I'm
clad | did not mistake my man
Brought the money. l suppose"
"Why else should | be here:' replied
Horace. striving to conceal his trem.
bling apprehension. Yet even YOU
cannot expect me to pay until Alice is
produced alive"
THAT is easily done" said Jcdrey,
keenly enjoying his discontinue Fol
low me; it isn't far
Detected and wretched. with every
hope now shattered. Horace trudged
mournfully in the wake Of his guide
Yet had they thought to LOOK behind,
they must have inevitably detected
three figures creeping stealthily after
them
Presently a dull patch OF light he.
came visible. 1t shone from the Win
dow Of a small. square cottage. old and
dnap.dated, whose. door opened readily
to the touch
The interior was a combined living
and sleeping apartment. y low, filthy
bed occupied one corner
In chair at the side sat, or rather
swayed. a woman truly indescribable
Coarse matted hair hung danky about
her head and shoulders. Her features.
clean ana washed. must have been
more than repellant; but. black. grimy,
bloa,ed, grinning. they presented an ap.
pearance shocking and repulsive in the
extreme.
Hello. Horny, old boy" she cried
"how are you? Come. give us a kiss,
dearie! What. Is my cherub shy?
Hal ha! Ia! Then let me give you
one"
The banker surveyed her silently,
dumbly, blankly. There had been no
deception no trickery.
Are you satisfied yet?" querled Jed
rey, sardonlcally. Perhaps you would
like still further proof Alice" he com.
manded, turning TO her. show him
your marriage certificate"
"Ha, ha, ha." glggled Alice, fumbllng
among the folds of her ta,tered dress
Proof does lie want. eh? Pretends
not to know his loving wifey, does he?
See" she added, drawing forth a
crumpled document. and lurching to.
ward him with 1t; there you are,
dearie. in black and white"
Suddenly, however the door few
wide back and George Grimmell, dart.
ing inside, hastily snatched the paper
and scanned it eagerly.
"HuTah" he shouted throwing
aside the drunken woman. who
stumbled across the bed and passively
lay there, half sobered by surprise.
"As | imagined! before she met you.
Mixed the certiticatesl Officer. officer
catch that man, Quick; don't let hin
escape! That's 1t; slip the iingles OF
him! Horace" he continued, shaking
his hand eXcitedly, you're a fool
Don't you comprehend. man? Jedrey',
her husband-her real and first one
And I.ucy's your wife-your secont
and true one"-New York News