Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1903-07-09
CHAPTER XIV

ihc lOHS sullllleI uhNS udu merged III
to autumn, whose hazy breath floated
like a misty veil over the distant hills.
Here and there busy hands and feet
were seen gathering in the autumnal
stores. On Herbert's farm, however,
there was a look of decay. The yellow
corn and golden pumpkins were yet in
the field; the apples lay in heaps upon
the ground; the gates swung loosely IN
the wind; while the horses, uncared for
and unfed, Weighed piteously in their
stalls. Alas! their master WAS a drunk
ard! Anna was a drunkard's wife. and
mine drunkard's home! 1t was no long
er secret there, and the old men shook
their heads, while the young men sighed
to think how he had fallen. Night after
night we sat up for him, my sister and |
lifting him from the threshold across
which he would fall, and bearing him to
his bed, where we would lay him be-
side his innocent son, whose blue eyes
/ often opened with wonder at being thus
disturbed
About this time l went back to Sunny
Bank for a few weeks to be present at
the bridal of my oldest sister Anna.
too, was urged to accompany me; but
she declined, extorting from me a prom
Use that if it were possible l would not
divulge the real state Of things. N"Tell
them | am happy, and do not regret what
| have DONE" said she, as she followed
me down to the gate.
All! who can fathom the depths of
woman's love, and what punishment
shall be sufficient for him who wantonly
tramples upon 1t? wondered if /
should ever love as she did. Involuntar-
lily the doctor rose up before me-a
drunkard, and ! his wife, and from my
inmost soul ] answered, Rather death
than that" Them though bushad as
| did so, | fancied myself the wife of
1.-The dark man." and he drunkard
Yes, l could bear that" | said: and lust
there the car door opened and the subject
of my meditations stood before me
There was no mistaking him. The same
tall, manly form, the piercing eyes, the
coal black hair, and the same deep cut
between the eyebrows | knew him in q
moment, and an exclamation of surpris,
escaped my lips. The seats were nearl,
, all occupied, and as he passed down tn,
aisle, my readers, | trust, will pardon
me if did gather up the skirt of m,
dress and take my travelling bag upor
my lap, while l myself sat nearer to tn,
window looking out in order to hide m,
face.
: us this seat occupied, miss? ?" said
:. heavy voice, which seemed to come iron
some far-oif region.
j., mo, sir" | answered, timidly, with
! out yenturing to turn my head, until
felt myself intentionally crowded; the,
. | looked around, and behold. the dar
n stranger was sitting behind me. near tn
/ door, while at my side was a man O
!, mammoth dimensions, with immens
ii mustache watery eyes and brand
n breath Favored with tobacco.
IS He was exceedingly loquacious, and fc
several hours piled me with questions q
r To my own name, my parents, my CRANE
lie parents my brothers, my sisters, OF
W standing in the world, our religion an
r our politics, At length, just as it Wa
p, growing dark, he gathered up his hug
n proportions, and to my great JOY bid II
-e adeu.
re About nine o'clock we stopped for =
a. freshments and ON re-entering the car
| found to my joy that the dark stra
s. gers seat was appropriated. This tin
p the fntes were propitious, for after loo
ID ing around him awhile, the stranger as
e, ed permission to sit by me. 1t was oui
ny dark where we sat, and the night ian
ch burned but dimly, so he did not once o
lk tain full view of my face. He prov,
en- R most agreeable and attentive compa
y, ion, opening and shutting the windo