The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1906-02-24

You are my wife. No amount Of dis
Ike or shortcomings on your part alter,
that fact. We have been very unfortu
nate in the past. | can see you are un
happy; and. in an indirect way. l an
the cause of your unhappiness. l would
give a great deal to make things brighter
Tor you, If You would let me-"
She was touched by the earnestness
OF his manner and tone
You are very good" she said; land
/ am sorry l behaved so badly to you
She stood silent for few moments
FEELING watching her quietly; while they
SO stood the clock on the mantelpiece
struck u.
You must go now" she told him
hurredly. II have an appointment to
ride with some friends. Come again at
this time Tomorrow
lie did not attempt any outward dis
Play of affection, but passed down the
stairs. He met Babette half way down.
With whom does your mistress ride
to-day?" he asked.
with the Baroness de Belette"-a
woman we'll known for the pertinacity
with which she had chung to the extreme
|
hve years. They have wager as to
who will ride the greatest distance on a
horse belonging to Monsieur Crevin
which has always refused to carry a
lady"
Polling went on with little unac-
knowledged anxiety in his heart. He
would go back and try to dssuade Pau
line from this mad freak, but that he
knew it would be useless; and any show
OF authority on his part just now might
perhaps undo the little good he believed
he had accomplished.
He drove straight back to the hotel
and sat with his chin resting on his
hands at the little table in the window
of his room. He was In a strange state
of mingled hope and dread He did not
know what he wished; he only knew that
he meant to do what he conceived to be
his duty; the rest he must leave In higher
hands.
While thus musing over the past, he
was brought back to the present by the
sight of his wife cantering by in COM
pany with several others: and, following
them, he noticed a fidgety chestnut horse,
with side-saddle on, which was being
led by groom. Pauline looked up and
bowed gravely; he returned the greeting
How handsome she looked! How we'll
she sat her horse! How proud he might
have been of her If she had never allow
ed the love of riches to crowd the wom-
anliness out of her heart! He leaned
forward and watched her as far as he
could see from the window.
An hour later Polling was STOPPING
over his wife's poor crushed body in one
OF the little chatlets in the Bots de Bou-
logne She had been thrown and tram
pied on, and was dying Of internal hem
orrhage. Her voice was very low, and
her words came slowly, with many
pauses.
1t is heavens Justice! After Won
had gon" this morning made up nv
mind to do as you wished. l thought
l would try to love you-you were so
good-and we should be-happy togeth-
er. l had no right to be happy-after
my wickedness, and heaven has-settled |
itv'
My poor mistaken grip
Eyes, that is true I've been mis-.
taken all-my life. No one ever-tried
to make me good. 1 was always left to
I was-a child. Heaven
Is just, and the great Judge will re-
member my-great temptations. VIII
You kiss me-just once, Alec? Say you
forgive met will make my mind
easier"
In spite Of his efforts not to disturb
her last moments by any show of feel
ing, large tear dropped upon her face.
She looked at him wonderingly, and put
up her finger to his cheek.
For me-" she said very softly-"you
cry for me. do not deserve-to have
one mourner--at my death bed. l have
done evil to every one-but Jack. Give
him my No, l will not leave mes
sages; they might bring a curse"
Another spasm seized her; and. when
t had passed, the hue of death was
'reeping over her face. 1t was all fin ,
shed now, and the strong young life that
lad been SO misused had come to an
md.
Polling took out card and left It |
With the people of the house, and then 6
vent straightway to see that all the
Necessary arrangements were made for 9
he interment of her who had once been ,
'ery dear to him. He wrote a short let
er to Sir Godfrey that night. 1t ran: .
Dear Sir Geoffrey-Your niece, nv I
wife, was killed by fall from her horse
o-day. We were reconciled at the LAST y
Fell your daughter l can never express '
ny gratitude to her for sending me here:
will always be source of thankful
less in my heart. The family Jewels
re intact Babette tells me, and they :,
viii be sent by special courier When !
he funeral is over, l think l shall Join 4
)ornton In Italy, and toward the spring
We may work our way homeward in b
ompany. Ask Miss Ethel to keep us
yer green in her memory. I've set my r.
cart on seeing our young friend Jack b
Royal Academician before many years.
With his talent, he wants only a little
udicious pushing, and l mean to devote u
lys time to pushing him. e
Always your sincere friend, c
ALEXANDER PELLING." I
Ethel was greatly affected by this let
er, and she went about with very
ober face for some weeks, until the
separations for Christmas absorbed her,
nd left her no time for thinking of
andsome young artists or anything else.