The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-11-26

holy water cleaning against the neck
of her, the gun dropped from me hand.
And won t niver do it, nather, r he
concluded 81 III laive the place first. &
Thus M0e tb.d day continued ai e
q closer prisoner than before, tho there Is
was little danger Of second disc overy.
Mrs. Allen had not been SO well since
her trip to the Toulouse. Every pre- &
caution was taken, however.
As the summer waned, Winnefred
grew more and more listless. Her grand
lies death, reproaehed herself, in spite
Of the fact that her common sense res
jected such an explanation. One day,
however, Winnefred burst into tears at 1
q casual inquiry about Elwood. She
did not know where he was, and he A
Mr.. Wharton, who that week had gone
home to marry girl in his own village.
d And you knew of the engagement
c Oh i the lo old LAD LADY. Then what's
happened serves you right. But don t
You, worry, = she added; he u hear
CT eao aeS Wedding and come back fast
And she was right. The theologue s
marriage furnished Elwood with an ex-
cuse for returning, and made his going
away significant Of more than the I'M
reasoning indignation that had prompt
ed it.
Winnefred revived like refreshed
flower, but Elwood could. not forgive
himself for the suffering he had caused.
He never referred to Mollie, tho respect
for Winnefred's feelings would have
kept him silent on the subject of aher
death in any case. AS for Winnefred,
feet happiness of the days by any mem
tion of past subject of disagreement.
There was no reason for delay and
early in October they were married. 1t
was q simple country wedding; and af-
ter it they started for their new homo
in the small northern town where Nor
man had lumber interests. The journey
and was regarded by Winnefred, who
had never been forty miles from her
native village, as quite an extended
tour. But in spite Of her girlish antic-
ipation Of the trip and her pride before
the crowd OF young people who came to
see them OF, as the moment of starting
drew near she grew strangely dis,
responsibility, holding the attention Of the
whole party, and it was only when Mike
Eappeared at the door of the car that
this tension seemed to relax. All thru
the journey she was a constant puzzle
to Norman. Her recurrent high spirits,
followed by quick depression in which
there was something Of appeal, beWild-
cred and touched him.
They reached their destination late
IN the day and alighted on the gray,
bleak platform. Winnefred stood quite
, still. An enormous crate was being
hoisted, amid great laughter and swear
ing, from one Of the freight cars, but
she made no attempt to divert Nor
man s attention.
| "Wonder what they've got down
| there that, they re having such time
to unloads' he said, wrinkling his fore
head.
ell think it's horse,'' faltered
his Z wife e., u,, .
Blake from the livery. It's probably
some choice racer
"No, it ism ~ Winnefred tried to
speak bravely. 1t ism It racer Oh,
N n o91!s don't you understands It's
In spite of her effort to keep it firm,
the voice of the poor little bride sud.
denly broke. She put her hand on his.
arm, but she could not look at him.
Her pretty head, in it's wedding bon
net, dropped lower. "Grandma a sure-
~ have found her, as she did before.
And ST. ) T.. had her boxed-and- and
The young fellow looked at her and q
him. Amazement, increduIity, anger
struggled in his face.
Snorting and putting, the train was
the opening of the crate, "A loud shout
(of astonishment and derision went up.
and saw her. There she was, unsteady ste adv
Of knee and mild Of eye, but as invincif-
bic as eyer-the old mare who had beset
rival. An overpowering sense Of the
humor of the 5 situation swept every
other emotion aside, but struggling with
his mlrth came finer comprehension.
For the first time he recognized her as
some subtle evidence Of Winnefred
the undaunted will and the outreaching
protectiveness. At least between the
two, the girl he loved and the old
creature before him, existed tie which
was unbreakable. If he took one he
must accept the other-that was ap-
parent ms stsiang foTwaTS and at the
vanity, he laid hold of Mollie g halter.
Sits an old horse that my wife thinks
a great deal Of, - he said with good ma
tured dignity.
i Winnefred hurried to his side. She
hsE hsaas GROUND sRs o h arm
face. A perceptible breath was waited
from her wedding bouquet
4 The toughest man there made move
ment toward his hat. They signifed
eagerly that they understood. usShe
comes Of good stock, all right" said the
letter to know that. Now, if you'll
just give me your checks, Mr.. Elwood.' y
4 He hustled of to collect their bag
gage, and the platform was soon de-
serted, except for the young couple and
the homogeneous old horse. It had been
slightly cloudy all the afternoon; but
just before the sun sank out of sight,
there was a burst Of light. The three
stood blinking in the sudden glory.
Norman glanced at his wife. She had
hand on Mollie Is neck and the mare Is
nose was almost against her cheek. And
4 he had tried to beat down that divine
pity. A mist rose before his eyes.
Laughing to hide his feelings, he
. leaned over her. elbow on earth did
you manage it a second timeq" he whis-
Winnefred lifted a lock Of the white
: name. There, fastened to the halter,
! was the bottle Of holy water knew
Mike wouldn't shoot her if she wore
!. that. -
Norman glanced around, then drew
{ lher swiftly against his shoulder. And
( you didn't do it for Wharton7' he
: murmured.