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About The Falls City tribune. (Falls City, Neb.) 1904-191? | View Entire Issue (May 11, 1906)
THE FALLS CITY TRIBUNE , FRIDAY , MAY 11 , 1906. THE SPENDERS A TALE OF THE THIRD GENERATION By HARRY LEON WILSON 9 i -JU : 'I Copyright , by Lolhtop 1'nbllihinf : Company , with the traditions , and brave HIP scandal of going to him In that com mon way. With all I felt for him I should have been more than satisfied. Hut 1 came In time to see that he was not as earnest as I had been. He wasn't capable of feeling what 1 felt. Ho was more cowardly than I or rather , I was more reckless than he. t suspected it a long time ; 1 became convinced of it a ypar ago and a little over. He became hateful to me. 1 had wasted my love. Then he became funny , nut yon see I am not alto gether what you believed me. Wait a lilt , longer , please. "Then 1 gave up. almost and later , I gave up entirely. And when my brother was about to marry that worn- nn. and Mr. Shepler asked me to marry him , I consented. It seemed an easy way to end it all. I'd quit fondling Ideals. And you had told me I must ilo anything 1 could to keep Fred from marrying that woman my people came to say the same ( hing and "If he Had married her it they were married now then yon would feel free to marry me ? " "You would still be the absurdest man in New York but we can't dls- cuss that. He Isn't going to marry her. " "But he has married her " "What do you mean ? " "I supposed you knew Oldaker told j j me as I left the hotel. He and your j I ' father were witnesses. The marriage' took place this afternoon at the Ar- Itngham. " "You're not deceiving mo ? " "Come , come ! girl ! " "Oh , pardon me ! please ! Of course I didn't mean It but you stunned me. And papa said nothing to me about it before ho left. The money must have been too great a temptation to him and to Fred. She has just made some enormous amount in copper stock or rnmcthing. " "I know , she had better advice than I had. I'd like to reward the man who gave it to her. " "And I was sure you were going to marry that other woman. " "How could you think so ? " "Of course I'm not the least bit jeal ous it isn't my disposition ; but 1 did think Florence Akemit wasn't the woman to make you happy of course I liked her Immensely and there were reports going about everybody seemed so sure and you were with her so much. Oh. how I did hate her ! " "I tell you she if , a joke and always was. " "It's funny that's exactly what I told Aunt Cornelia about that that man. " "Let's stop joking , then. " "How absurd you are with my plans all made and the day set " There was a knock at the door. He went over and unlocked It. Jarvis was there. "Mr. Shepler. Miss Avice. " They looked at each other. "Jarvis. shut that door and wait out side. " "Yes. Mr. Blues. " "You can't see him. " "But I must we're engaged , don't you understand ? of course I must ! " "I tell you 1 won't let you. Can't you understand that I'm not talking idly ? " She tried to evade him and reach the door , but she was caught again In his arms held close to him. "If you like ho shall come in now. Dut he's not going to take you away from me , as he did in that jeweler's the other night and you can't see him at all except as you are now. " She struggled to bo free. "Oh , you're so brutal ! " " 1 haven't begun yet " Ho drew her toward the door. "Oh , not that don't open It I'll tell him yes , I will ! " "I'm taking no more chances , and the time is short. " Still holding her closely with one arm , he opened the door. The man Blared Impassively above their heads a graven image of unconsciousness. "Jarvis. " "Yes , sir. " "Miss Milbrey wishes you to say to Mr. Shepler that she is engaged " "That I'm ill , " she Interrupted , still making llttio struggles to twist from his grasp , her head still bent down. "That she Is engaged with Mr. lllncs , Jarvis , and can't see him. Say it that way 'Miss Milbrey is engaged with Mr. Dines , and can't see you. ' " "Yea. sir ! " He remained standing motionless , as he had been , his eyes fixed above them. Hut the eyes of Jarvis , from long training , did not require to be ben' ' upon those things they needed to ob serve. They saw something now tha was at least two feet below their range. The girl made a little move with he right arm , which was imprisoned fas between them , and which some intui tlon led her captor not to restrain The firm little hand worked its waj slowly up , went creeplngly over hi shoulder and bent tightly about hi neck. "Yes , sir , " repeated Jarvis , withou the quiver of an eyelid , and went. He closed the door with his fre hand , and they stood as they .were un til they heard the noise of the fr door closing and the soft retreating footsteps of the butler. "Oh , you were mean mean to | shame me so , " and llonds of tears came again. "I hated to do It , but I had to ; It was a critical moment. And you couldn't have made up your mind without it. " She sobbed weakly In his arms , but her own arm was still tight about his neck. He felt It for the first time. "But I had made tip my mind I did make It up while we talked. " They were back on the couch. He held her close and she no longer re sisted , but nestled in his arms with quick little sighs , as if relieved from a great strain. He kissed her fore head and hair as she dried her eyes. "Now. rest a ilttle. Then we shall go. " " 1'vo so much to tell you. That day at the Jeweler's well , what could I debut but take one p oor last little look of you to keep ? " "Tell mo If you care for me. " "Oh , I do , I do. I do care for you. I have ever since that day we walked in the woods. 1 do. I do ! " She threw her head hncjv and gave him her lips. She was crying again and trying to talk. " 1 did care for you. and that day I thought you wore going to say some thing , but you didn't you were so dls- tant and troubled , and seemed no' oven to like me though I felt sure you loved me. I had thought you were going to tell me. and I'd have accepted yes , for the money though I liked you so much. Why. when I first met you In that mine and thought you were a workman , I'm not sure I wouldn't lave married you if you had asked inc. Jut it was different again when I ound out about you. And that day In ho woods I thought something had onie between us. Only after dinner ou seemed kinder , and I knew at once on thought bettor of me , and might ven seek me I knew It In the way i woman knows things she doesn't enow at all. I went into the library vlth a candle to look into the mirror , ilmost sure you were going to come , 'hen I heard your steps and I was so glad but it wasn't you I'd been mis- akou again you utill disliked mr. I vas so disappointed and hurt and icart-sick , and ho kissed me and loothcd me. And after that directly saw through him , and I knew I truly lid love you just as I wanted to love he man who would ho my husband only all that nonsense about money hat had been dinned into me so long ; ; ep ) me from seeing it at first. But was sure you didn't care for me vheu they talked so about you , and .hat you never did care for her , did . 'on you couldn't have cared for her. could you ? and yet , after that night , 'd such a queer little feeling as If you lad come for me , and had seen " "Surely a gentleman never sees any- .hlng ho wasn't meant to see. " "I'm so glad 1 should have been so ishamed " They were still a moment , while he stroked her hair. "They'll be turning in early to-night , laving to get up to-mprrowand preach ermons what a dreary place Heaven mist be comparr.l with this ! " She sat up quickly. " ' awful It is. "Oh , I'd forgotten. How sn't it awful ? " "It will soon be over. " "But think of my people , and what's expected of me think of Mr. Shep- er. " "Shepler's doing some hard thinking or himself by this time. " "Really , you're a dreadful person " There was a knock. "The cabman outside , sir , says how eng is he to wait , sir ? " "Tell him to wait all night if I don't come ; tell him If he moves off that spot I'll have his license taken away. Tell him I'm the mayor's brother. " "Yes , sir. " "And , Jarvis , who's in the house be sides you ? " "Miss Briggs , the maid , sir but sho's just ready to go out. sir. " 'Stop her say Miss Milbrey wishes to ask a favor of her ; and Jarvis. " "Yes , sir ! " "Go put on that neat black street coat of yours that fits you so beauti fully In the back , and a purple cravat , and your shiny hat. and wait for us with Briggs. We shall want you in a moment. " "Yes , Mr. Bines. " She looked at him wonderingly. "We need two witnesses , you know. I learned that from Oldaker just now. " "But do give me a moment , every thing is all so whirling and hazy. " "Yes. I know like the solar system in Its nebulous state. Well , hurry and make those worlds take shape. I can give you CO seconds to find that I'm the north star. Ach ! I have the Doctoi von Herzlich been ge-speaklng with come , come ! What's the use of any more delay ? I'vo wasted nearly three hours here now , dilly-dallying along But then , a woman never does know her own mind. Put a thing before hei all as plain as the multiplication table and she must use up just sr much good time telling a man thai he's crazy and shedding tears because he won't admit that two times two an 37. " She was n" > nt and motlorlesi I for another live lulnutes , thinking lu- : eiilly. "Come , tlmo's up. " She arose. "I'm ready. 1 shall marry you , If you think I'm the woman to help you In that big , new life of yours. They meant me not to know about Fred'o marriage until afterward. " Ho kissed her , "I feel so rested and cutlet now , as If I'd taken down a big old gate and let the peace rush In ou inc. I'm sure It's right. I'm sure I can help you. " She picked up her hat and gloves. "Now I'll go bathe my eyes and fix my hair. " " 1 can't let you out of my sight , yet. I'm incredulous. Perhaps In 75 or 80 " years "I thought you were so sure. " "While. I can roach you , yes. " She gave a low. delicious Ilttle laugh. She reached both arms up around him. pulled down his head and kissed him. "There hey ! " She took up the hat again. "I'll he down In a moment. " "I'll ho up In three. If you're not. " ' When she had gone he picked up an envelope and put u bill Inside. "Jan-Is , " he called. The butler came up from below , drcsesd for the street. "Jarvis , put this envelope In the In side of that excellent black coat of yours and hand It afterward to the gentleman we're going to do business with. " "Yes. Mr. Bines. " "And put your cravat down lu the back. .larvls It makes you look ex cited the way it Is now. " "Yes. sir ; thank you , sir ! " "is Briggs ready ? " "She's waiting , sir. " "Go out and get in the carriage , both of you. " "Yes. sir ! " He stood in the hallway waiting for her. It was a quarter past ton. In another moment she rustled softly , down to him. ! "I'm trusting so much to you. and I you're trusting so much to me. It's such a rash step ! " "Must I " "No. I'm going. Couldn't we stop and take Aunt Cornelia ? " ' "Aunt Corncna won't have a chance I to worry about this until it's all over , i We'll stop there then , If you like. " "We'll try Doctor Prondle , then. 1 He's almost sure to be in. " "It won't make any difference if he isn't. We'll find one. Those horses | are rested. They can go all night If they must. " ' "I have Grandmother Loekermann's I wedding ring of course you didn't I fetch one. Trust a man to forget anything - ' thing of importance. " j His grasp of her hand during the 1 ride did not relax. ; CHAPTER. XXXI. I TI1K NKW ARGONAUTS. Mrs. Van Getst came flustering out to the carriage. ! | "You and Briggs may get out here , 'Jarvis. ' There , that's for you. and I that's for Briggs and thank you both j very much ! " "Child , child ! what does It mean ? " "Mr. lllncs Is my husband , Mutter- hen , and we're leaving for the west n the morning. " The excitement did not abate for ten nlnutcs or so. "And do say something cheerful , lear , " pleaded Avice , at parting. "You mad child I was always afraid you might do something like this ; but will say I'm not altogether sure vou've acted foolishly. " "Thank you , you dear old Mutter- chcn ! and you'll come to see us you shall see how happy I can be with this this boy this Lochlnvar , Junior in sure Mrs. Lochinvar always lived lappily ever after. " Mrs. Van Geist kissed them both. "Back to Thirty-seventh street , driver. " "I shall want you at 7:110 : sharp , to morrow morning , " he said , as they alighted. "Will you be here , sure ? " "Sure , boss ! " "You'll make another one of those if you're on time. " The driver faced the bill toward the nearest street light and scanned it. Then lie placed it tenderly In the lin ing of his hat , and said fervently : "I'll be ht're , gent ! " "My trunks , " Avice reminded him. "And , driver ncnd an express wagon at seven sharp. Do you understand , now ? " "Sure , gent , I'll have it here at seven , and be here at 7HO. : " They went In. "You've sent Briggs off , and I've al that packing and unpacking to do. " "You have a husband who Is hand } at those things. " They went up to her room , where two trunks yawned open. Under her direct Ions and with hci help he took out the light summer things and replaced them with heavier gowns , stout .shoes , golf capes am caps. "We'll be up on the Bitter Root ranch this hummer , and you'll neci heavy things , " he had told her. Sometimes ho packed clumsily , am ! she was obliged to do his work over In these intervals he studied with In terest thu big old room and her quaint old sampler worked In colored wor steds that had faded to grays and dul browns : "La Null Porto Consell. " "Grandma Loekermann did It at the convent , ages ago , " she told him. "What a cautious young thing she must have been ! " She leaned against his shoulder. "Dut she eloped with her true love young Annekje Van Schoule ; left the home In Hickory street one night , and went far away , away up beyond One Hundred and Twenty-fifth street , some where , and then wrote them about it. ' "And left the sampler ? " "She had her husband she dldn' need nny old t. . .pier after that - Ko luurlagtpotto eouwll. aussi monsieur. And now. you've .married your wife with her wedding ring , that canu > from Holland years and years ago. " It was after midnight when they be gan to pack. When they finished It was nearly four. She had laid out a dark dress for the Journey , but he Insisted that she put It In a suit-case , and wear the one she had on. "I shouldn't know you lu any other and It's the color of your eyes. I want that color all over the place. " "But we shall be traveling. " "In our own car. That car has been described lu the public prints as u 'suite of palatial apartments with all modern conveniences. ' " "I forgot. " "We shall be going west like the old Mil-era , seeking adventure and gold. " "Did they go In their private cars ? " "Some of them went lu rolling six- horse Concords , and Home walked , and some of them pushed their baggage across In little hand ciirts. but they had fun at It and we shall have to work as hard when we get there. " "Dear me ! And I'm so tired al ready. I feel quite ; done up. " She threw herself ou the wide divan , and he fixed pillows under her head. "You boy ! I'm glad It's all over. Let's rest a moment. " He leaned back by her. and drew her head on to his arm. "I'm glad , loo. It's the hardest day's work I ever did. Are you comfortable. ' Rent. " "It's so good , " she murmured , nest ling on his shoulder. "Uncle Peter took his honeymoon In a big wagon drawn by a mule team , SIIK SLKPT. 200 miles over the Placcrvillc and lied ) og trail over the mountains from allfnrnla to Nevada. But ho says he never had HO hnppy a time. " "He's un old dear ! I'll kiss him low is it you say 'good and plenty. ' " "By the way , 1 forgot to ask , and It's almost too late now , but do you like cats ? " "I adore them aren't kittens the dearest ? " 'Well , you're healthy and your nose doesn't really fall below the speci fications , though It doesn't promise that you're any too sensible but If you can make up for it by your infatuation for cats , perhaps it will bo all right. Of course I couldn't keep you , you Know. If you weren't very fond of cats , hi'cause Uncle Peter'd raise a row " She was qulto still , and he noted from the change In her soft breathing that she slept. With his free hand ho carefully shook out a folded steamer rug and drew it over her. For an hour he watched her , feeling the armon which she lay growing numb. He reviewed the day and the crowd ed night. He could do something after all. Among other things , now , he would drop a little note to Hlgbeo and add the news of his marriage as a post script. She was actually his wife. How quickly it hud come. His heart was full of a great love for her , but he could not quite repress the pride in his achievement and Shepler had not been sure until ho was poor ! He lost consciousness himself for a little while. When he awoke the cold light of thp morning was stealing in. He waa painfully cramped , and chilled frcm the open window. From outside cunici the loud chattering of sparrows , am far away ho could hear wagons as they rattled across a street of Belglai blocks from asphalt to asphalt. The light had been late In coming , and ho could fiiia sullen gray sky. full of darker clouds. Above the chiffonier IIP coulil nre the ancient sampler. "La Null Porto Consril " It wag true. In the cold , pitiless light of thfl morning a sudden sickness of doubt ing seized him. She would awake am reproach him bitterly for coercing her She had been right , the night before It was madness. They had talked aft erward BO feverishly , as If to forgC their situation. Now she would face it coldly after thu sleep. "La Nuit Porte Consell. " Had he not been a fool ? And he loved her to He would have her anyway no mat ter what she said , now. She stirred , and her wide-open eyca were staring up at him staring will hurt , troubled wonder. The amaze ment In them grew she could not un derstand. Ho stopped breathing. His embrace of her relaxed. And then he saw remembrance rec ognltion welcome and there blazei into her eyes such a look of whole lov as makes men thrill to all good ; such t look as makes them know they ar men , and dare nil great deeds to show It. Llko a sunrise , It Hooded her face with dear , wondrous beauties and still she looked , silent , motionless In an ecstasy of pure realization. Then her arms closed about his neck with n swift little rushing , and lit still half doubtIng - Ing , still curious felt himself strained to her. Still more closely she clung , putting out with her Intensity all his misgiving. She sought his lips with her own- eager , pressing. "Kiss me kiss me kiss mo ! Oh , It's all true -all true ! My best-be loved dream has comu nil true ! I imvo rested so In your anus. I never knew rest before. 1 can't remember when I haven't awakened to doubt , and worry , and heart-sickness. And now it'a peace dear , dear , dearest , dear , for ever and ever and over. " They sat up. "Now wo shall go get mo away quickly. " It was nearly soveu. Outside the sky was still all gloom. In the rush of her reassurance he had forgotten his arm. It hung limp from his shoulder. "It was cramped. " "And you didn't , move It ? " They beat II and kneaded It gayly together , until thu fingers were full of the rushing blood and able again to close warmly over her own llltlo hand. "Now go , and let mo get. ready. I won't be long. " Ho went below to the library , and In the dim gray light picked up a book , "The Delights of Dollrato Hating. " Ho tried another , " 101 Sandwiches. " The next wan "Famous Kplcurcn of the Seventeenth Century. " On the lloor was her diary. He placed It on the table. Ho heard her call him from the stairs. "Bring me up that ring from the table , please ! " He went up and handed It to her through the narrowly opened door. AH he went down the stairs he heard the bnll ring somnwhoro below , and went to the door. "Baggage ! " The two trunks were down and out. "They're to go on this car , attached o the Chicago express. " He wrote the llrcctlons on one of his cards and paid he man. At 7:110 the bell rang again. The abmiui was there. "Seven-thirty , gent ! " "Avlco ! " "I'm coming. And there are two iags I wish you'd get from my room. " Io let her pass him and went up for hem. She went Into the library and , talc- ng up the diary , toro out a sheet , narked heavily upon It with a pencil iround the passage she had read the veiling before , and sealed it In an -nvelope. She addressed It to her ather and laid It. with a paper weight on it. upon "Tho Delights of Dellcato Sating , " where he would be sure to find it. The book itself she placed on the wood laid ready In the grate to light , oiichnd a match to the crumpled paper mderneath and put up the blower. She stood waiting to see that the tire would hum. Over the mantel from Its yellow can vas looked above her head the humor- jusly benignant eyes of old Annokja Van Schoule , who had once removed from Maspeth Kill on Long Island to New Haarlem on the Island of Man- lattan , and carried there , against her forth."I lad loved. His face now seemed to ho pretending unconsciousness of the rashly acted scenes ho had witnessed lest , if IIP betrayed his coiisclousuesn , ho should be forced , In spile of himself , to disclose his approval a thing not Qttlng for an elderly , dignified Dutch : mrghcr to do. " " "Avice ! " " "Coming ! She took up a little package she had brought with her and went out to meet him. "There's one errand to do , " she said , His they entered the carriage , "but It's on our way. Have him go up Madison avenue and deliver this. " She showed him the package , ad dressed : 'Mr. Union .Shepler , Per sonal. " "And tnis. " she said , giving him an unsealed note. "Read it , please ! " He road : "Dear Union Shepler : 1 am euro you know women too well to have thought I loved you as a wife shouli lo\e her husband. And 1 know your bigness too well to believe you wil feel harshly toward me for deciding that 1 could uol marry you. I could o : ounse consistently attribute my uhang to consideration for you. 1 shouli have been very little comfort to you If I should tell you just the course had mapped out for myself just wha latitude I proposed to claim I am C T tain you would agree with mo that have done you an inestimable favor. "Yet I have not changed bcraiiKo do not love you , but because 1 do love Borne ono else with all my In-art ; s < that J claim no credit e.\n i > t for at entirely consistent selfishness. But dc try to belie\c , at the saiw time , tnat my own selfishness has been a kind ness to you. I send you a package will this hasty letter , and beg you to be llevo that I shall remain and am now for the first time sinceiely yours , "AVK'i : MlMHtKY lil.NKS. "P. S. I should have preferred to wait and acquaint you with my change of intention before marrying , hut my husband's plans were made and ho would not let me delay. " He sealed the envelope , placed It se- : urely under the cord that hound the package , and their driver delivered it to the man who opened Shepler's door As their train emerged from the cut it Spuyten Duyvil and sped to the north along the Hudson , the t > un blazed forth. " ' YOU. " "I WON'T F.KT . "There , boy Knew the sun mutt ahlnti to-duy. " They had Ilnlxhed their breakfast , One-half of thu pink roses were on the table , and one from the other half was In her linlr. "I ordered the tun turned on at Jti3t tills point , " replied liur husband , with a large air. "I wanted you to see the last of that town under a cloud , HO you might , not l > u homesick so soon. " "You don't know me. You don't know what a good wife 1 shall lie. " "It takes nerve to reach up for a B trail go support and then kick your nvlronmont out from under you an octor von Horzllch would have said f he'd happened to think of It. " "Hut you shall see how I'll help you 1th your work ; I was capable of It all 10 lime. " "lint I had to make you. I had to ieh you up juat a3 I did that Hrs * imu , and again down In the mine nd you were frightened because you { new LhlH lime I wouldn't let you go , " "Only half-afraid you wouldn't the ther half I was afraid you would hey got all mixed up 1 don't know hleli was worse. " "Well , I admit I foozled my approach n that copper stock but 1 won you cally my winnings in Wall Htrect are retty dazzling , after all , for a man ho didn't know thu ropes there's a ilrrnr directly back of you , MM. lines , if you wish to look at them Ith u pink rose over that klBsy placu ist at their temple. " Shu turned and looked , pretending to e quite unimpressed. " 1 always was capable of It , I tell on boy ! " "What hurt me worst that night , U bowed you could love some one you Id have a heart but you couldn't love ; ic. " She did not seem to hear at first , nero o comprehend when she wont back ver his words. Then s'lie stared at him n sudden amazement. He saw his blunder and looked fool- sh. sh."I "I see thank > uii for saying what on did last night mm you dlun't nlnd you came to me anyway , in pile of that. " She arose , and would have gone .irouiid the table to him , but be met ler with open arms. "Oh. you boy ! you do love mo you io ! " "I must buy you one of those nice , shiny black ear trumpets at the first stop. You can't iiuvo been hearing at all well. . . . See , sweetheart out across the river. That's where our ) lg west Is , , over that way isn't. It 'resh and green and beautiful-and low fast you're going to It you and , 'our husband. 1 believe It's going to be a good garni ! . . . for us both . . my love. " THIS UNO. The Principal Question. "I know , old ehnppie. " said Dohhs , "she 1ms her faults , and a temper , and all that ; but J 1 love her and can't live without her. . " "Just so , " calmly replied his friend ; "but the ( iiicstlon Isn't that. Can you live with her ? " Tit-Hits. Sequel. Smith ( who haii Iti'rn abroadj Is young HuggJiiB still paying attention to your daughter ? .Jones No ; they are married now. Chicago Dallj News. " TT-ccnoiny. i ) " ' ' ' . 'mothered Desde- munn "Then- : hiejaculated. . "I gues.i tliat'll settle the alimony question , any how. " Judge. Ancient Crinoline. In the World of Fashion of 1830 Is a reference to "tho new stuff called crinoline. " Crinoline was partly thread , partly horse-hair , Its name being compounded of the French "crin " , horsehair , and "lin , " flax. Dais , skirts and all Boris of things that were wanted ! to possess a certain stiffness were made of this material. Ostrich Tax. The exportation of ostriches from South Africa has practically been prohibited by an export tar of ? 487 each , intended to preserve to that country , as far as possible , the monopoly of the lucrative trade of ostrich farming. N. Y Post. ( Continued Next Week )