Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1908-01-11

AS she tidied up her desk and laid
the typewriter sheets on the desk in
the bOokkeeper's cage she thought OF
the year before, when she and Jeff
had come down to hear the chimes.
They were to have been married in
the spring, but Jeff had been offered
position in California and had gone
out. promising to send home for her
Then his letters suddenly stopped with
one announcing that he had married a
half breed woman with q gold mine to
replace physical attractions.
1t would be very different tonight
with no one to force a way through
the crowd for her. She buttoned her
shabby coat tightly about her and
made her way downstairs. Some OF
the cleaners shouted out happy New
Year after her, and she called back
but her voice was tired and listless-
There was none of the holiday spirit in
her heart
Once past the revolving doors, she
was caught up in the crowd and car
ried along in the human tide. At the
corner they struck cross current of
humanity that forced her into niche
between two huge pillars. Here she
was discovered by crowd of rollick-
ers who, with half drunken good hu-
NOR, insisted that she join their party.
She shrank back into the shadow.
but her tormentors would not be balk-
ed of their prey and pressed forward.
One of them laid his hand upon her
arm, and, with a frightened cry, she
sought to wrench herself free. A
burst of rude laughter that greeted
her effort was stopped short as a
brawny arm reached over and caught
the bully's collar There was a quick
exchange of blows, and then, with a
last shout, they were swallowed up in
! the crowd Ruth looked up to thank
her protector and encountered Jeffer-
son Berrian's gaze.
give found your he cried exulting-
! w. Il knew that | should | had a
presentiment that if came down here
| / should find you"
II was detained at the Office" she ex-
planned II was going home
! "Alonew he cried indignantly. why
didn't your husband come for your
"My husband? p she laughed. Where
! did you get that information?
First hand. suppose he said, LAT
least l had letter from you in wh;s'!
you explained that you were tired OF
yaitins and had married a Bronson
)eering."
81 never even heard of such per-
on" she denied.
Here it is he said as he reached
nto his pocket and drew out wallet.
ae placed letter in her hand. The
'olds were scanned by friction. but in
he light from the interior of the
j building she could make out its con-
! ents.
he said when she had done. but
.aever wrote amy such letter. When
lid you go to Wyoming?" she added as
she studied the envelope and noted
| hat the letter had been forwarded
from his California address
81 wrote you at the time he ex-
planned in surprise Jim Boan took
It to town with him and mailed it
| there 1t was shortly after | got out
there The Company changed, and
went over to Wyoming to prospect"
"Did you meet your wife there or
| after you went to Arizona?" she asked.
"Well, that's a good one he laughed.
! who told you that I was married?'
"You wrote that you were tired of
hard work and that you had married
half breed woman who had mine
"Did the letter come from AriZona9''
mo; it came from San Hernandez.
! You explained that you were going to
Arizona the next week
] when did this happen?" he cried.
do you remember the date%'