The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1910-07-15

the ceremony
Not q word was spoken by the con
tracing couple except to make the re
plies required by the marriage service
When 1t was over Kate Macdonald
led the way out. and all mounted Their
horses and rode away.
The next day Hayden disappeared.
From this time forward Kate Mac.
Donald. or Kate Hayden. was a chang
ed woman. She no longer galloped
owe the country taking fences and
bitches by the way. She never attend.
ed any of the social gatherings held
among the neigbboring ranchers. The
only feature eminent before her mar.
rage she retained was her tender sole.
itude for those who were in trouble.
The Hayden ranch remained in care OF
a keeper, who offered it for sale. Moth.
ing was heard of its owner. A year
passed. By that time Kate Hayden had
come to see her act in its true light and
wrote a letter to her husband. telling
him that If he wished to be free from
her she could easily obtain a divorce
on the ground of desertion. Not know
ing where to send her letter. she asked
the keeper Of the Hayden ranch for
her husbands address. He told her
that he had been instructed to give it
to no one but he offered to forward
the missive, and she accepted the offer.
Sufficient time elapsed for a letter to
come from almost any part of the
globe. but none was received. Months
passed, and still no word. The young
wife. wife in name only, became a
broken down woman. 1t vas not the
equivocal position in which she stood
before the world, but the fact that she
loved the man she had treated in a
manner which every day seemed to
her more unmaidenly and barbarous.
This. added to that dreadful silence.
was killing her. She was rot sure
ever that he lived. Her parents. her
neighbors, endeavored in every way
to draw her from her dependency.
Her friends the cowboys gathered in
groups to discuss the man whom they
considered to blame for her condition
and even debated the question of send
ing one of their number to find him
wherever he might be and give him
the chance of returning to his wife or
swallowing a dose Of lead.
But no such method of restoring her
happiness. of course, ever reached the
young wife's ears. She gradually sank
till those about her began to shake
their heads and predict that she would
at last fall a victim to her unfortunate
affair. The Hayden ranch was finally
sold. The intelligence was kept from
her as long as possible. fearing that
this breaking the last link that bound
her to her husband would have an in
creased effect upon her. But when the
new owner took possession of the prop
erty 1t was impossible that she should
be kept in ignorance any longer.s As
was feared. it destroyed her last Hope.
One morning when the daily stage
arrived at the relay house Ralph Hay
den hurriedly alishted. ordered Il horse
and. mounting. galloped away. Half
an hour later he was seen to ride into
the Macdonald ranch house. The
news spread over the neighborhood.
The rancherS and the ranchers' fami-
lies discussed the arrival and wondered
what the mex move would be. The
cowboys convened in special meeting.
and it was solemnly agreed that If the
Rritisher went away without his de-
partnre being satisfactory to his wife
they would wnylay him and force him
fight each one Of them successfully
till all were killed or he hit the dust.
Some Of them fingered tbeir r"vnlvprs
.uervously in anticipation.
1t was not long. however. before very
startling news was given out at the
ranch house. Hayden had returned
for the bride he had been forced to
marty; he was not only Ralph Hayden.
but Sir Ralph Hayden and heir to one
of the fairest estates in England
Then all the women exclaimed Mt once:
s'Goodness gracious! Kate Mac is
Lady Hayden!"
The afternoon this news was cir
culated the cowboys agreed that they
would go in a body to the Macdonald
ranch house, learn Of its truth, and if
it were 80 give three cheers for Sir
Ralph and Lady Hayden. Learning
of their intention. many Of the neigh,
bors required there t see the fun.
Lining up before the house. the boys
began to call for their favorite. Pres.
entity she appeared. leaning on the arm
Of her husband. pale and thin. but with
that same old smile on her lips which
had made them her slaves. A yell
arose and cries Of Tell us about itr"
She pointed to her husband. who said:
Boys, it was all a mistake. made
several, and our Kate made one. l let
complications in England interfere
with me and my wife's happiness; but,
thank God. they are past, and we are
all happy"
This brief speech was received by
three cheers from the cowboys, as.
sisted by the neighbors present. Then
the assembly were invited into the
house. and the bottle was passed.