The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1903-08-20

what gave Miss Avice cause for agita-
ton during their interview. II, how
ever, In putting Miss Avice's things In
order, you discover any note, bring 1t
| to me at once.
An hour ago Travis Meredith had
thought that all the world could hold
OF Ill had been outpoured upon him,
| but he now knew that he had not yet
tested HIS own capacity for suffering.
The cool air blew refreshingly upon
HIS fevered brow as he gained the
street, and calling a cab with orders
that he be driven at once to DR.. Hayes
hotel, he buried his head in his hands,
to try and realize this last awful ca
lamity which had overtaken him.
But when his destination was
reached new and bitterer disapoint-
ment was in store for him. DR.. Hayes
had left the hotel that evening, say
ing that he was going south, and leav-
ing no word as to the time OF his pos
sible return.
I'm fact" added the clerk. with a
smile which almost maddened the man
whom he addressed, from something
DR.. Hayes let drop inferred there was
lady in the case, and that perhaps
he has gone upon his honeymoon"
What was there to be done next?
All, Avice had taken cab, Marie said.
! He must find the driver, and learn
| where she had been driyen.
| This was no difficult matter, and
| soon Travis knew all the man could
! tell him.
The driver had been sent for, and
| had taken the young lady to the rail-
road station. A gentleman had met
her, and had paid him his fare-in fact
overpaid him--a tall man with dark
eyes, complexion and hair. The young
lady had seemed much agitated on
meeting him, and he had almost to
carry her into the waiting room. Then
the driver had driven off. Two trains
were due at that hour, one going
north, one south. He could not tell in
which direction they had gone.
Tbankee, sir" glancing down at the
gold piece slipped in his hand, and
wondering if the young lady had run
away from her lover or her husband,
who had reaped him such a rich har,
vest for his days work.
With such results he would not care
IL there was an elopement every day
in the week, and he called upon to aid
in it.
Travis could do but one thing more
He must learn at the railroad station
what route Avice had taken, and toll
low her. But here the clue ended.
No one could inform him in which
train they had departed, though sew
eral had seen and noticed the beadti-
full girl, whose companion had seemed
to wish to screen her from all observa-
ton.
What madness had overtaken Avice
that she should thus betray his tender
est care? Could II be that she acted
of her own will? He would not believe
it, he could not; but when he at last
entered his now doubly lonely and
dreary home, Marie met him, and in
her hand she held tiny note.
81 found this, sir, on the floor, where
1t had fallen from the mantel. hope
it will explain everything, Mr.. Mere
dith."
Travis tore 1t open where he stood,
and read these words:
Forgive me, Travis, and ask Milton
to forgive me, too, as / have asked
papa in his grave to forgive my brok-
en- promise to him. If he had lived,
he would have released me from it, |
know. You cannot dream what have
suffered before consenting to this
step. But loved him, Travis; that Is
my excuse. / won't tell you his name,
though you may guess it. Perhaps,
when | am his wife. you will forgive
me, and him, too. Tell Milton to try
and believe 1t is better l did not find
out the truth too late. Don't try TO
follow rs. will write you again soon.
--"Avice."
Travis crushed the paper in his hand
with an. oath, and without a word
turned into the library and threw him.
self face downward on the couch. He
felt the world slipping away from un-
der his feet, as though all his life had
been spent upon the brink of preci-