Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1904-02-12
CHAPTER XXI.

ut Is my wife. This is retribution. My
sin has found me out"
As these words fell from the lips Of
Lawrence Richmond he stood as II rooted
to the spot. The woman who lived in
the haunted mill raised her head proud
" and her eyes were looking into his so
that he found himself gazing ~speechlessly
upon the face Of that wife whom he had
not seen in all the years that had passed
since he drove her away from him with
curses that were to be 30 bitterly repent
ed-curses that were to come back home
to roost-curses that had ever since re-
manned in his memory like plague spots,
and which would not be erased though at
times they almost set him crazy.
The burnt mortgage was still smolder-
Ing upon the little fire, but he had COM
pletely forgotten It in the excitement still
more intense produced by this astounding
discovery.
lie had wronged this terribly
In the past, in a ann that had shock
ed him whenever he thought of it-for he
had afterward learned that she was as
innocent as an angel and had searched for
her, but she could not be found, and the
old doubts crept over his mind again, OBJ
securing it-and in that dread moment he
only saw what a splendid chance for re-
venge had come to her.
Should she so desire she could crush
MN with a single blow. This was why
lhe feeling Of horror had entered his
Vraln as he stood there, still clutching her
Whlte wrist so fiercely.
Then there flashed upon his mind the
iate act and words Of the noble woman,
and MS eyes almost %unconsciously were
turned upon the fire where the document
was sull smoldering, though past recov-
cry.
MY wife" he muttered, my wife
come back to me from the dead? Oh,
l am dreaming. This Is some horrid
hunting specter. My wife is dead and
1 am her murderer"
lie groaned with mental anguish, and
!. stirred the woman's heart to its full
qepth to hear the man whom she had new
r ceased to love thus exhibit his terrible
suffering.
NOT so, Lawrence. You see before you
se unhappy woman who was once your
we The years have come and gone
s.ace last We stood face to face, years of
ounerlng to me, and yet l have patiently
sNalted the will Of heaven. Perhaps
suere may be more in this meeting than
we either Of us imagine"
NOT dead, not dead" he muttered,
WIN hushed breath, as he gazed eagerly
upon her, "oh, then heaven has heard my
layer. lie has sent you to me that the
last act of my life should be my atone
~ent TO you. There, see me kneeling at
,SVa leet, with the pride, the cursed pride
S ruined my life and yours, trampled
WI forever. oh, can you forgive me
'ne past, my wretched mistake which
s, nave deplored in tears of blood ever
know l do not deserve 1t. but
n sou could only forgive me it would be
my act OF an angel. Pity me, pardon
ne mad sunk at her feet in abject mis-
\; Ills mind was once more cleared Of
NJ. uouots. She was deeply affected by
NJ, evidence Of his contrition, and her
frame trembled, while the tears
'a.semed down her cheeks.
Mneel not to me, Lawrence, for what
YOU committed against me has long,
mipr shce been forgiven. Ny act Of a
,sa..e ago proves that I have never
70 Love you. Ask the great Mas