Los Angeles herald., 1906-07-08

forgive you if you do I married Annie, you
know. Did l tell you her name was Annie?
Pretty name: don't you think SOP"
He silent for a while, and when looked
up his face was calm and peaceful in repose
and his eyes had a dreamy, far-away look But
the cruel irons about his wrists, and he felt
them as he raised his arms above his head.
Annie | heard him mutter. annie"
Some women have great deal to answer for.
81 married Annie he repeated, "and for a
year ] the happiest man in the world. Then
| noticed something in her manner that hurt
me- She was always quiet and reserved. but ap-
parently glad and happy to have me with her.
'Well, after we had been married year or so
she seemed to grow more and distant.
Missed kissing me two or three times when |
came home from my run. Didn't mean much?
Well, perhaps not to her; but | loved her. you
know noticed and felt it. Of course | didn't
say anything. I had heard women were queer
sometimes. ] never knew any woman but Annie
But it grew worse. Once when / put my arm
around her, meaning to kiss her goodbv she
turned her cheek to me. Then it was very plain
even to me, and I only touched her hair with my
lips. One day when came back unexpectedly I
found Annie on our bed sobbing and weeping
bitterly. She gave explanation: ! asked for
none. I'm a proud man; the troop knows that
The end came unexpectedly I had been or
dered to take special through to W, a long
er run than my usual one. Annie was very sweet
to me that night, quite like her old self Just
before I left she came of her own accord and
kissed me- 'Good-by" she said, and kissed me
again. It made me very happy. | took that spe
cal through in short order, and came back the
next evening about six. / found the house open
but no Annie.
She's at her mothers thought, and busted
myself lighting the lamps and starting the fire in
the kitchen stove.
"An hour or more, and no Annie. 1t was only
a short walk to her mothers.
"She had not seen my wife all day, she said
81 went back to the house, sat down very
quietly. and tried to think it all out If anv-
thing wrong I didn't want it known Any
thing wrong? What could be wrong? Annie
was visiting somewhere, and I was fool to wor-
ry about it.
Later l went out in the kitchen and cooked
some supper-enough for two. When eleven
o'clock came I lost heart. Something had hap
pened to my wife. She was dead perhaps
lay down on our bed and waited until daylight
''In the morning l had to tell Annie's people
and of course the whole town knew it almost
Immediately
''No one had seen her The river, some one
suggested. 1t sounded horrible, but hopeful We
did everything possible but no traces of her
could be found. | had got substitute to make
my runs for me- and gave up every moment to
looking for my wlte. advertised her' hlred de
tectives sent out handbills and posters, and
searched everywhere, high and low.
"A week passed. and then l gave up: Annie
was dead.
"How did I know it? felt it. If she wasn't
dead, where was she? She hadn't even taken an
extra dress with her. Her money was still in the
savings bank; one can't go anywhere without
money.
"The river alone probably knew her secret. l
gave up all hopes of finding her, and went back
to my engine; but it was hopeless | couldn't
work. The place had grown intolerable to me,
and the pity of the people was maddening.