Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1903-03-28
CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER XIV.
] The long summer days had merged in.
to autumn, whose hasy breath 1oated
like u misty veil over the distant hills
Here and there busy hands and feet
were seen gathering In the autuulnnl
stores. On Herbert's farm, however,
there was n look Of decay. The yellow
corn and golden pumpkins were yet In
the feld the apples lay In heaps upon
the ground; the gates swung loosely II,
the wind; while the horses, uncared for
and unfed, Weighed piteously In their
| stalls. Alas! their master was a drunk.
ard! Anna was drunkard's wife, and
mine n drunkard's home! 1t was no long.
er secret there. and the old men shoe
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 ut being thus
disturbed.
About this time went back to Sunny
Bank for few weeks to be present ut
the bridal of my Oldest sister. Anna.
too. was urged to accompany ME; but
she declined, eXtorting from me a prom
isc that II 1t were possible I would not
divulgc the real state Of things. "Tell
them am happy, and do not regret what
I have DONE" said she, us she followed
me down to the gate.
All! who Gun fathom tho depths of
womnn's love. and what punishment
shall be sufficient for him who wantonly
trnmples upon It? wondered IL /
should ever love as she did. Involuntar.
lily the doctor rose up before me--a
, drunkard. and l his wife, and from my
inmost soul l answered, Rather death
than that" Them though l blushed az
l did 80, fancied myself the wife of
"the dark man," and he a drunkard.
"Yes, l could bear that" l said; and lust
there the cnr door opened and the subject
Of my mcditatlons 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. l knew him In Il
moment, and nm exclamation Of surprise
escaped my lips. Tho seats were nearly
| all occupied, and us he passed down the
aisle, my readers, ! trust, will pardon
me II did gather up the skirt Of my
dress and take my travelling bag upon
my lap, while myself sat nearer to the
window, looking out In order to hide my
face.
rs this seat occupied. missT said a
heavy voice, which seemed to come from
some far-on region.
mo, sir" l answered, timidly, with.
out venturing to turn my head. until
felt myself uncomfortably crowded; then
! looked around, and behold! tho dark
stranger was sitting behind mo near the
door, while ut my side was q man OF
mammoth dimensions, with immense
inustache. watery eyes and q brandy
breath favored with tobacco.
He was exceedingly loQuacious, and for
several hours piled me with questions as
to my own name, my parents, my grand.
parents, my brothers, my sisters, Cur
standing In the world, our religion and
our politics. At length. just as 1t was
growing dark, he gathered up his huge
proportions, and to my great Joy bid me
adieu.
About nine o'clock we stopped for re.
freshments, aud on re.entering the cars,
! found to my Joy that the dark stran.
gers seat was appropriated. This time
the fates were propitious. for after look.
ing around him awhile. the stranger ask.
ed permission to sit by me. 1t was quite
dark where we sat, and the night lamp
burned but dimly. SO no did not once OBJ.
tain full view Of my face. He proved
most agreeable and attentive compan.
ion, opening and shutting the window
just as often as ! evinced an inclination
to have him, holding my satchel In his
lap, placing his own travelling trunk ut
my feet for foOtstoOl, and Offering me
his fur-lined overcoat for pillow. At
almost every station, too, he asked If
wished for anything" but did not, ex-
cept indeed to know whether he was yet
the husband of Ada Montrose. At last
he made some remark about the country
through which we were passing, and ]
replied that II believed 1t was not the
first time he had been over that road, rs,
If mistook not, ! saw him In the cars
with his wife the year before"
The wrinkle in his forehead grew deep
er, and his face flushed rs he said,
quickly, II do not remember OF meeting
you before, though l was here last fall,
but not with my wife. for ! have none.
1t was my ward, Miss MontrOse."
| Nothing could have given me more sat
isfaction than this announcement, for II
Ada We're his ward. 1t explained, In a
measure, his attentions to her; and as
cast stolen glances at him. felt more
and more convinced that there could be
no ariinity between him and the naughty,
imperious girl to whom he was guardian.
1t seemed to me very short time ere he
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