The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1853-11-11

his life? No, you, Austin, or you neve
would have wiled her into crime. No
you, or the simple country girl had been
still ligh:>bearted and happy. She loved
you with a pure love, she trusted you
with holy trust, and when she awoke
from her dream 10 sense Of her degra-
dauon; when fathers curse was ringing
in her ears, and her mothers tears burns
ing into her brain, she turned from them
all, and made her world with you"
"Annie,p exclaimed the conscious
stricken man, 81 cannot listen 10 your
rawlings. What do YOU require-if mon>
ey-" ..
"Money! Can money give me back
the life have wasted my tender parents
my broken heart? Itell you, sochanged
is my nature that could see you autter-
ing from heart 10 heari-winning wor-
ship as you won mine, TO crush the soul
into datkness, but 10 soe you at the altar
with that girl-tendering vows which are
mine; giving her name which belongs
10 me-Austin you shall not do iI!'
"ShaU not" he echoed scornfulfy.
SAY, shall not! There is not in the
wide world a heart to beat for me; not
one face to look kindly upon mine, and
yet the memory of my utter loneliness
cannon bring fear TO my eyes. Again |
say, you shall not! for as sure as you
stand at the altar with that girl, so sure
let me tell you, will it be signal for
tragedy fearful beyond conception"
Before Austin could have time 10 de-
tain her she was gone and he alone.
''She dare nol!" he muttercd, but his
face haggared and pale, gave the lie 10
ls words. lie knew Annie was Just
he woman TO revenge wrong and his
own conscience told him how deep her
wrong had been.
Agitated and perplcxcd, he knew moi
what cousse TO pursue. IL was near the
lour for the nuplal ceremony, and
lis absence had already been COM
nenled upon by the guess. Now
/ was that relribution was visiting the
,lack sins Of his life. He had loved An
lie as much as it was possible for him to
owe anything but himself, but the fear OF
he world prevented his making her the
'nly reparaton in his power. His set
would rdicule him, and her shame and
emorse were nothing to that horrible
,ugbear. His intended marriage, was
IN his part, one Of convenience, not Of
owe; and the fear of losing her fathers
,road acres, rather than the adherence
If her own pure mind, deferred him from
openly confessing the fact Of his intimacy
with Annie, The Actress!
He knew that public sentiment would
lphold him; for when was there anything
co bad 10 be believed OF an actress!
they may be, and often are, pure minded,
ligh hearted, noble women, bu, who
;ares 10 defend their cause. There are
10 ways Of pleusantness for their lives,
ind no paths Of peace for the weary feet
ravell;ng upon the road TO public favor,
lnd so he knew.
Gushes of music recalled him from his
unpleasant reyery and proceeded TO join
he bridal party in the chapel. The deep>
oned organ he'd pcaled solemn strain
# devotion, and the aged prizes, had lifted
lp his voice in prayer for the happiness
# the young couple whose des'inies were
o be forever united. Nothing now re-
NAMED but the imposing ceremony Of
marriage. The last link alone remained,
nd as the bridegroom produced the ling,
thrill OF horror ran through his veins,
or he detected the pale face of Annie
vhiter than the marble agains. which she
eaned In desperate haste he sought 10
lace the ring upon the finger Of the bride,
III, as he raised his hand, the intruder
ashed it aside, and confronted him with
olded arms. N
81 told you would be at your we'd
ng," she said at length.
"Sbe is wild-madm he screamed,
take her away!'
"Not till my revenge is sated" and
18th the words her deserter lay bleed
lg corpse at the altar.
"You are the cause -ay you" she
riod, "you stole him from me, and with
ne strength of madness, she raised the
ride and flung her with violence sense
,ss mass upon her dead husbands boz