The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-17

these was woman-the other grlzzleo
old man, and they read together the items
of the description thas was concise and
business-like, giving tn; sex, height and
presumed age of a 5cad body which had
been found: an inventory OF its clothing be-
Ing appended.
As she read, the woman turned deathly
pale, and became oblivious to everything
but the bald statement on which her eyes
rested. As for the old man, the announce
ment was nothing different from many he
had read before, and he turned away with
a sort of resentment against the monotony
OF the thing. But suddenly he caught sight
of the womans face, and his dull old eyes
frightened
Miss Rachel Fleming. tits surely" he ex-
claimed. "But you've changed since the last
time I saw YOU"
And you are George Williams" was the
quick answer. You have not changed since
/ spoke to you last. II Is strange thing
that you and should be here reading that"
and che pointed to the notice, "at the same
moment The dead man was my husband.
Your husband? You were married then?"
'sYou ask as II you doubted. Not that 1t
matters. The man I married Is dead. Read
again; the description is exact"
Her face had flushed. and something OF
its old beauty which George Williams re-
membered came back to il. There was
light in the eyes. and a note In the voice.
that he recollected in the merry-hearted girl
of five years ago. Then its accustomed hard
ness returned, as they went through the
grim details Of the notice once more.
The body of a man had been found
stranded on the mud about a mile below
London bridge. There were tattooed on the
arms the letters A. B.. and the clothing was
that of fashionably dressed man.
'sThey have guessed Ambrose Bradford's
age WELL" said the woman. coldly- He
would have been thirty-fve to-morrow-see'
his age is given at about that"
'You take his death easily enough"
chuckled the old man. you had a soft
heart. too. once
until married Ambrose Bradford. He
made me the hard woman am He lei me
to fight for living by myself. but can
forgive him now that he is dead. IT Is two
years since he deserted me-
Maybe It's your duty to identify his
body" remarked the old man as they moved
away side by side.
why snould I do that? Why should I
trouble about him? He never gave a thought
to me. Wien he had spent all the fortune l
brought rim, and poverty came. he left me.
No. I won't pretend to be grieved. Isn't 1t
more natural for me to be heartily thankful,
knowing that Ambrose Bradford is dead?'
The old man chuckled again. Its
strange world-a very strange world, my
dear" he answered. II wish you well, and
I'm glad TO have met you" With this he
made an awkward apology for bow, and
turned down a side street. Rachel Bradford
had been above him in the social scale five
years ago, and George Williams, now an in
mate Of the Stevedores' AlmshouSe, was not
one to forget that.
Rachel continued her way towards home.
which formed one of a row Of small, old
fashioned houses that were scarcely more
than cottages, and only to be discovered
after sinuous walk from Biackfriars road.
There was an ancient out-of-the-world air
about the little houses. as though they had
been overlooked or forgotten by the march
of the century: and it was there that Rachel
Bradford had found refuge, and the means
TO earn scant livelihood. after being left
penniless and desolate by her husband.
Night had settled down over the quiet
house. and Rachel sat listening to the moan
OF the rising wind as IL swept past the lit
tie latticed window. Then. suddenly, she
started to her feet. pressing her hand to her
breast, and gazing with staring eyes tow
ards the easement. Something had come out
Of the blackness beyond and showed up
CHASTITY gray against the glass; the face Of
a living man. for the lips moved as though
whispering. and the eyes shone in the light
Of the lamp. moving slowly from left to
rf<~ htrof An xrrffh h0ra Eve on
his. passing through an eternity Of deadli-
est horror, though the time was scarce a
minute, the woman gazed at the gray face
which seemed unconscious of her rapt
scrutiny. Then the lattice was wrenched
open, FILLING back with a crash, and a man
forced himself through the narrow opening.
MY G-dl" The ejaculation came like a
prayer from Rachers parted lips stand
away-don't touch NEEDN'T touch me.'
she cried.
shut the window and draw the curtain
over IT," he answered, there may be pry-
ing eyes about Why are you surprised at
seeing me? It's two years since we saw
each otaer. though"-he gave little laugh
land perhaps you thought was dead"
'T read that you were dead" she replied,
hoarsely- There was dead body found
IN the river. LIE ucSCIiptlOu COuNiuCcu NE
that IL was you"
He laughed again. the sound being almost
like the snarl OF an angry dog. ut will be
well IL others believe am dead" he re-
piled. 1--WE planned that they shall, but
there's no time for me to explain. ncr need,
either. Harkr' and he held up his hand
warningly. as the sound Of footsteps came
past the window.
do you fear that any one may know of
you being here?' she asked DULY. for all
power 70 fear or care was numbed. Tell
me how you discovered me-"
mot now-Tn tell you the history OF the
past two years. presently. There'll be time
for that. perhaps" he replied. Its enough
that I've found you. Shall be safe here?''
"From what?"
'sYou have no gossiping neighbor who
may come in?'' he answered, treasured by
her manner. ct shall be safe from being
seen7"
II know no one No one will come" she
replied. carelessly. Eyes. you win be safe, -
and she began setting some food and drink
before him.
II must leave London by daybreak." he
told he-. II can trust you not to betray
me?" and the question came hercely.
Raft shook her head gravely. II the
man tang at the table could have guessed
half tn. u.ute passion rioting in her heart
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