The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1911-11-09
THAT AFFAIR AT
ELIZABETH 4I By ss5s:e ss;y:.:e" n.
$3.50 q - - - - - Etc
York-Hsnry HoN co-sM
New York-Hanry Holt Co.-isN.

after I knew that Mary Jarvis had
had child. felt that / must find
out-for her sake. as well as for my
own. And SO I set systematically to
work. 1t was really not difficult, for
there were not more than six or eight
places where the ceremony could pos
sibly have been performed. I took
them one after another, and soon found
the right one--you see, had the date,
approximately. Her story wcN true in
water. about five miles north of Plain
field. little village of two or three
hundred inhabitants. The minister who
married them is still living. He showed
me the record, and he remembered the
affair distinctly. The night was a very
bad one. and he had been aroused from
sleep by a loud knocking at the door.
He had gone down, thinking that 1t
was some neighbor come to summon
him to the bedside Of some one taken
suddenly Ill, and was surrised to find
handsome young fellow standing on
the doorstep. He explained his errand
in q few words. and 10 minutes later,
the thing was done. The minister's
wife was the only witness. The bride
wal very frightened and more than
once seemed about to faint. but man.
aged to pull through. and was driven
away with her husband a few minutes
after the ceremony had been per-
formed"
The clergyman's face was glowing
with satisfaction.
1T was a great thing to me-" he
added, ITO be able to prove that Mary
Jarvis had told her father the truth"
1T seems strange" said. that he
never made any attempt to verify it."
"Ah. but he did," broke in DR.. Schuy-
Ter quickly. He did verify 1t. At least
1t could have been no one else in my
opinion. from the description given me
by the minister at Clearwater. He
few days after that Christmas eve on
which his daughter attempted to run
away"
HE never told his sister," said, and
told him of Mrs. Heminway's story.
1T was like him." said my compan-
ion. after moments thought, Ito keep
1t to himself. Perhaps he feared his
the child II she knew there was no
shame attached to 1t. But whatever
his motive. am glad that know the
truth"
"And l." I said. 1T will be easier to
tell Curtiss-if he must be told"
And Marcia
II don't believe she ever doubted"
Perhaps not but 1t will be good for
her to know"
YES" I agreed, and fell a moment
silent. How would the story end?
Poor children!' said my companion,
and rose with a little sigh. "They must
bear the burden with what strength
they have. God send it be sufficient.
must bid you goodbye, Mr.. Lester.
feel better. now that you know the
truth. 1 want every one who knows
the story TO know this part of it,"
| They SHALL" / promised.
| And If there is any way that l car
help
| You don't need to assure me OF
that" interrupted II shall call upon
| you without an instants hesitation"
| THANK you," and he wrung my hand
and was gone
How would the story end? / asked
myself the question again, as 1 sank
back into my seat. And l could find
no answer to 1t.
But the end was nearer than 1 had
thought.
1t was near closing time one after
noon, and We were finishing up some
odds and ends OF work, when the door
opened, and In came Burr Curtiss. We
| were on our feet in an instant-Mr
Royce and land had him by the
hands. He was greatly changed-oldei
and thinner. with an increased lank
ness of Jaw; but he had regained his
equilibrium. He was no longer dazet
by the blow fate had dealt him. The
firm set lips told that he had laugh,
himself how to face the world and his
own future.
We sat down after the first greetings
and then there was a little pause.
was uncertain how to begin; I had 8
horror OF opening old wounds which
saw that Mr.. Royce acutely shared
well, I'm back" Curtiss began, see
Ing our hesitation and no doubt under
standing 1t. II soon found out tha
I'd undertaken q hopeless task"
Then you didn't find herr" asked
Mr.. Royce.
NO" answered the other evenly. 90
completely lost track Of her after sh,
left Liverpool. I was eble to trac,
her to the station, and to find tina
she'd taken train for London and tina.
was all. So I decided that the wiaes
thing for me to do was to come home
My boat got in an hour ago-and
came straight here for news"
Our junior nodded.
back. But l haven't any news--a
least, l believe she herself would wisl
to tell you"
Curtiss started sharp around.
Then you know" he asked. "Yol
know why she left me?"
Mr.. Royce paused an instant, thel
chose the better way.
and we proved he was right"
Curtiss was out Of his chair now
but he held himself we'll in hand.
And you'll tell me?"
1T was nothing that reflects on eithe
of you. 1t was something neither o
you could help nor do anything TO al
ter"
$50 it's bad news!" and his fac
turned suddenly livid.
"Sit down, Curtiss," said our junior
imploringly. IT'S hard enough. at bes
I-I-can't tell you at all II you take 1
that way"
Curtiss glanced at him again, theI
sat down.
Now tell me-" he said quietly, blu
l saw how his hands were trembling
II don't wonder she fed" began Nj
Royce, shrinking from the plunge. Ssh
couldn't face the world
But me-" cried Curtiss; ''she coul,
have faced mel"
"You least Of ALL"
Tell me- whispered Curtiss. lie
me Judge Of that"
There was no resisting hint wa
his right to know-so our Junior tot,
the story, as briefly as might be.