Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1904-10-06

An hour-two-glided by, and still
she lay motionless and silent.
Then she slowly rose, and, with
staggering and uncertain feet, went to
the window and opened it.
The cold air revived her after a
time, and, with more certain step,
she put on her hat and jacket.
Then, with averted face, as if she
could not bring herself to look at H.,
she took up the certificate and thrust
it in the bosom of her dress.
Her face was as white as the paper,
her lips set in a straight line; with
the dark eyes cleaning above heavy
shadows, she looked like. feminine
Nemesis whose avenging hand is
stretching forth for her victim.
At the door she paused, and for a
moment a struggle seemed to be going
on within her; she ended it by turning
back, and opening the door of Hates
room, went softly. up to the bed.
Kate was lying asleep, with hel
head upon her hands, and as Jess bent
over her she saw that there were tears
upon her cheek.
She leaned over her, looking at her
with strange intentness for moment
or two; then, as if impelled by an i'm
pulse too strong to be resisted, she
touched the beautiful lips with her
own; it could scarcely be called a kiss
1t was q silent. solemn farewell.
Then noiselessly she passed out,
and as she went she laid her hand up
on her bosom where the certificate
lay, and kept it there.
| On the afternoon of that day Nellie
stood upon the quarry path, looking
toward the station.
A slight fog was creeping over the
land from the sea, and in the faint
mist her slim, girlish figure looked
| like a ghost.
From time to time she raised heI
hand to shield her eyes, then let it
drop with disappointed and wistful
sigh; but presently the color rose to
her pale face, and a tremor ran
through her. She had heard a step on
the road below, and had recognized it..
A few moments afterwards Clifford
Raven came down toward her.
His head was bent in moody pre-
occupation, and it was not until he
was close upon the ghost-like figure
that he saw her.
"Nellie!" he said, and his face lit
up for a moment, then grew over
clouded again
SIS there any news?" she asked,
timidly, though she knew by his face
what the answer would be.
NO Nellie; none;" he said, and he
sank onto the bank with a weary sigh.
Il cannot find her, and l have searched
where have | not searched? She
has disappeared as completely as if
he stopped, and concluded, almost in
audibly-"she were dead!"
"She is not dead" said Nellie, in a
low voice. mo; she is not dead"
He raised his eyes to hers.
why Go you say that?"
Because do not know cannot
tell you but | feel that she is not
dead. l think" she spoke very
slowly and hesitatingly-'I think 1
should know if she were dead"
He sighed
Il have searched for her day and
night, almost without ceasing," he
said; "and but for the few lines she
sent me, I think l should go mad,
Nellie"
She put out her hand and touched
his timidly.
Don't grieve so, Mr.. Raven" she
murmured. Something tells me that
she is safe and well. Oh, cannot
explain, but | seem to know it. She is
not with her husband?"
His face darkened.
NO" he said, almost inaudibly. "a
have watched him. He has kept his
word and left her in peace. where
ever she is. That is the only CLEAN
( of light in the darkness. | watched
him Nellie: he is worse even than we
thought-utterly bad and vile. When
l think of him l loathe the name he
bears. They told mel saw for my
self-that he is scarcely ever sober, a
gambler. and villain-and she is his
wife, Oh, Kate, Kate"
He hid his face in his hands, ano
she stood in silence beside him.
What good could words, even the
wisest and most tender, do in such a
case as this?
Presently he looked up.
Forgive me, Nellie. My grief
makes me selfish. How good of you
TO look out for me, But Nellie" and
his voice grew anxious, you should
not be out in this mist! You look i'll
and tired Are you ill?" he asked. in
deep concern.
mo. no. she said. quietly, and a
faint tinge of color rose to her pale,
transparent face; Il am quite well,
quite; but was anxious"
You must go in. Nellie" he said
why, see your hand is quite cold,'
and he laid it in his own. Gan this
excitement and trouble have tried yon
too severely. Let me take you in; I'll