The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1902-09-12
LOST FEE.
fcopvr;gbt, 1902, by W. R. Hearst.)

the beginning OF 1t, SIX months before.
Miss HARDWOOD had told the nurse to
take tho child away from the table.
The child was spoiled beyond endur-
ance, AID had been particularly an
| noying all during the dinner, Ralston,
| who was the only guest and an old
friend OF both, wondered how Mrs.
| Harwood had stood it so long.
Don't touch that child" HARDWOOD,
almost shouted to the nurse, who stop
ped abruptly and gazed from one to
the other. .-
Harwood in his way was as badly
spoiled as was his pretty little
daughter, and now, in spite of Ralston's
presence, and ignoring the nurse, he
heaped abuse upon the silent, contained
Mrs. Harwood until he rose in fury
and quilted the room.
"He neglected to beg your pardon"
said Mrs. HARDWOOD to the lawyer, with
only the. slightest tremor p~erceptible
in her voice. Then she went on: You
were speaking of the Van Alstynes.
Pray continue"
Ralston liked her, liked her and ad-
mired her. She was beautiful and
proud, n reserved as every woman
should be. He liked Harwood, too, at
! times; liked him out did not admire
him. He was richer that a man should
be who has never worked.
Six months later Harwood consulted
Ralston about securing a divorce. They
had separated. In vain the lawyer
argued with his friend.
"YOu don't var a divorce, you
want a guardian" he told the rich man
bluntly. BE more generous, be less
Of a tyrant; keep in your really ahoHl-
Unable temper. There's no reason o
two can't get. along. You amt ex-
pect d proud, seif-respecting woman to
stand your abuse" &
IT am paying for legal services, not
domestic advice" HARDWOOD retorted.
eff you wont take the case, others will"
That was perfectly true and Ralston
knew that others would not be as anx-
lous to bring them back to their senses
and to each other. lie bit his lip.
"I'l take the case" Then he dis
missed his client and idly sketched on
pad a plan Of Fifth avenue with the
streets crossing 1t below Thirty-fourth.
The lawyer and his client were walk
ing up this avenue two weeks later,
Harwood again recounting the abomin-
able details Of inconlpatibility. He had
softened some since the separation. He
missed the child terribly.
Harwood intent upon his theme alb
stractedly lifted his hat whenever Rails
ton spoke TO a passing acquaintance.
They had reached Thirtieth street.
oOuSCA14J LIN {" SSA oNopPSe ~ 6AAp-
ping Harwood's arm so hard tina he ex-
claimed from the pain of it.
Across the tvenue, carefully looking
down it and not seeing either of the
two men ca1ne Mrs. HARDWOOD n the
little girl. The child holding her moth
er's hand was dressed all In white and
Ralston thought he never had seen her
SO beautiful.
The two had not reached the middle
Of the street when bearing down upon
them came a heavy, white, laundering
automobile. So swiftly it came that it
seemed to have passed: from control OF
the single occupant and pedestrians
shouted q quick warning to those In
Its a
child and an involuntary groan sound
ed from the street when it was seen
that the two We're directly in the auto
mobiles path.
my God" cried the lawyer as he
heard the faint shrek of distress from
Mrs. HARDWOOD, who saw her peril too
late. standing as If paralyzed.
hen across the street in front Of the
on-rushing automobile sped HARDWOOD,
pale as death.
Get back, back for Gods sake!" he
shouted. AS he reached them he
caught the child In n arm and throw
Ing the other about his wife, almost
carried them toward the sidewalk.
They were still in the path of the
automobile when it suddenly stoppe1,
skidding along the street. The huge
lmperiled roup.
A policeman who forced" his way
through the sympathizing crowd con-
graduated HARDWOOD with a warm fell
lowship. .
'Took nerve to do that, SIR" said
The policeman. Then he asked the
lady's name. i-
"She is my wife" said Harwood,
land this is my child" There was a
touch Of pride in his voice. The police
man surprised, turned to look for the
lone chauffeur, but the automobile was
gone. .
Ralston from the other side watched
them as they turned up the avenue,
holding the child between them. Har-
wood had forgotten the lawyers exist
4 ence. s
On Twenty-seventh street Ralston
turned east and half q block away
climbed, smilingly, into q waiting
white automobile. +
THAT was closer than I bargained
for. Henry" e said to the chauffeur
but / think, yes, I am pretty sure" he
added half to himself, that it did the
work" -
When Ralston dined with the Har.
woods a month later the child was not
at the table. When she came I'M to say
goodnight, HARDWOOD excused himself
and accompanied her upstairs.
IS perfectly splendid now Mrs.
HARDWOOD Sconflded when he had gone,
I'VE have begun all over again. You
are wise lawyer, Mr.. RaIston.'
You area very brave woman, Mrs
HARDWOOD. Henry is an eXpert.chal,f
Efeur, butt must have frightened you