The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1913-02-07
By George Barr M'Cutcheon
Copyright Nl BY d dead l. Co.

be in Jenison hall tomorrow" To
gether they went to Christine. He
was TO take her away with him, far
from all the ugly possibilities that
crept up from all sides to threaten
her, Mary Braddock ~refrained from
telling Christine even so much as she
had told David concerning the plans
of her husband. The girl was allow
ed to believe that the mar was al
ready on his way to the far west.
There was a rather trying scene
when Christine learned that it would
be impossible for her to see her
father.
Some day l shall go to see him,
mother she had said with a resolute-
ness that brought a strange CLEAN to
the eyes Of the older woman. q
am sorry for him. He needs some
one to love him. | am sure he is not
so wicked as"
Mary Braddock lived under the
most intense strain of suspense aud
apprehension. Uppermost in her
mind was the question, Had he sue
ceeded In Guiding the watchers who
were on his trail?
At 4 O'Clock she went to her father.
She held nothing back from the old
man. not eve B~raddock's grewsome
Sssign.
The old mans last tremulous words
to her were these: We'll, Mary, God
shows all Of US the way. Sometimes
the way is hard, but We reach the
enc = We look neither to the right
nor thu left-nor behind. What you
h@ae just told me is terrible. Is it
she only way?"
Yes, it is the ouly way"
lie bowed his head and said no
more.
David and Christine were married
at ! O'Clock. Mr.. Portman, g~ray-faced
and taciturn, gave the bride in mar
riage. There were but three wit
nesses outside of the family. Joey
Noakes and Ruby We're there and q
single college friend to whom David
had gone in the stress of necessity.
Mother and daughter said their
49, ~ = 80 >hi DoD
bed in her mothers arms, imploring
her to come away with them at once,
to be happy forever. Mary Brad
docks eyes We're dry and burning
her hands were cold, her heart like
ice.
Il will come some time, nay dar
: ing, but-not now. You must make
your home before | come to see you
In it. | shall go abroad, as | told you
this afternoon. Father agrees with
me that it is the thing to do under
the circumstances. When | return
my child, l will come to see
you in Jenison Hall. You vii
be it's true mistress by that time
You will have discovered the true
happiness of life. Until then, my
darling, you will not have lived. Even
l found joy and happiness in their full
est estate before | came to know bit
ternes and unrest. You are to be
very. very happy. | will come to you
in the midst Of it all.
After they were gone and the lights
were out, Mrs. Braddoci;, wide eyec
and tense, stole down to the stables
and waited for the father of the
bride.
Suddenly he grew up out of the
darkness, almost at her side.
Tom" she cried out softly.
We'll, I'm here" he said in
hoarse, restrained whisper. Have yo,
heard what's happened?'
They are not pursuing you? Wha.
is it, Tom?"
Grand has been murdered, Mary.
Her voice was shrill with agony
when she finally broke the silence
agony, despair, horror, all combined il
n bitter cry.
You promised me you wouldn't de
Ssh. Be careful" he whispered
coming close to his side. Il didn't dt
it, Mary-so help me. | didn't. Wait
Listen to me. I'm telling you tht
truth" She had fallen back agains
the wall of the building. Her breath
ing was quick, as if horror wa
strangling her. They caught tn,
murderers-a couple of gamblers a
bIOdGSO ., 4 ICdIu. l didu l litdl IluCl
about it. The newsboys were shout
ing it over in Broadway half an hou
ago
He is dead? Oh, Tom, Tom, 20,
swear to me that you had no han,
:. in it. ! couldn't bear that now
Il swear it, Mary. | was not with
in a mile of Broadso's. am as innc
cent of that murder as you are. Yo,
will know the truth tomorrow, ever
if you don't believe me now, I'll neve
hear the true story. Oh, | don't min,
saying / would have given my yer,
soul to have been the one to do il
Maybe you think I'm pleased that h
is dead, Well. I'm net! ! begrudg,
those fellows the pleasure they had il
,.illing him"
She swayed toward him. He caugh
her on his arm-an arm of iron. Sh'
put her hand to his face.
;. A Redemption Is Crowned.
tom" she whispered God ha