The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1866-07-10
THE WIDOWED BRIDE.
BY HELEN FOREST CLAWS.

held her hand in his, and listened to the
solemn words that Joined them together,
now and forevermore, felt that his cup OF
happiness was full to the very brim.s
"My wife, my dear little child wife, y
| he said tenderly, when they led her away
to remove the white veil and fragrant
waxen blossoms, in order that she might
don her quieter travelling dress. Ard
Mary's blue eyes, clear and liquid as the
June armament mirrored in clear wood
land spring, answered him without need
of words.
Yes, she was very lovely, that sixteen
years old bride. Her hair was of warm
Igold color. rippled in little shining wave
lets, and you might trace every blue vein
on the transparent snow of her temples,
while the rosebud of mouth, breaking
into smiles at every happy thought, was
perfect in its outline.
Was it strange that Col. Medham scarce
| ly believed it possible that he, the bronzed,
middle-aged man, with grave eyes and Sc
rious aspect, would have won the exqisite
human blossom to gladden. his heart and
homer Was it strange that he looked on
his happiness as dream, from which he
might at moment awaken?
"0f course it is merely money match.
Any one with half an eye can see through
that" ~
Col. Medham started as the words fell
upon his ears, but the unconscious speak
er, standing just within doorway of an
| adjoining room, went on:
"She don't care pin for him person
ally--she merely wants his money, but he
lis too blind" and the voice died away
in the buzzing of many other voices.
L One instant Col. Medham stood there,
pale and motionless, like person stricken
with the hand of death. And in an in
slant his resolve was taken.
aa"Where is my husband2"
Thev very blood mounted to Mary Med
hams cheeks, as she-the wife of sim
gle, sunshiny hour-spoke these ques-
tioning words
'sCall Algernon, mama-tell him ana
quite ready
She locked sweeter in her travelling
dress than she looked in all the CLEANS of
pearls and snow-white silk-the fair little
creature.
aIf you please, ma am" said rough
looking man, carelessly elbowing his way
through the crowd, "here's note for Mrs.
Medham."
Mary broke the seal with transient
thrill of curiosity.
81 may as well read it while wait for
Algernon," she thought. "How strangel
This is Algernon's own writing"
.MARY-I heard your Uncle Sinclair
words just now--that you cared not for
me, but for my money solely. tits yours,
unfettered by me. Goodbye, forever,
A. NJ"
! Mary uttered low cry, as she clung
to her mothers arm.
"Mama, am not dreaming, am II Am
! I wife and widow in single hour?"
And she fell down like one dead at Mrs
Kendalps feet.
i 'tThere is some strange misunderstood
ling; said Mrs. Kendall; who had grown
as pale as ghost. "Col. MedhaIn will
i be back In a few hours"
Bnt the hours went by-and the days
and the weeks-aye, even the years
and Algernon Medham never came back
to the beautiful young wife whose brida
day had been SO strangely clouded.
"Only four miles further to Winle1
| village, sir. Keep up good heart, ant
; I'll have you there in no time at all. .
4 The kind hearted strge driver pulled
the warm buffalo robes closely around tn,
wasted figure ere he mounted to his seat
muttering to himself:
: 'sHe isn't fit to travel, nohow. / dom
!: see what his folks ha' been thinkin' of, t
let him 60 away from hum. Fever,
/ s'pose. Well, there's no accountin' fo
/, some folks freaks. Is
While Algernon Medham--so veal
. and faint that the stars above seemed blur
. of light against the blue black concave-
g lay back and INDUCED in melanchol
! thought.
r ssHomeward bound at last! And ca
3 it be possible that ! am coming home onl
] to die? Well, Whitley church yard is
sweet and peaceful spot-perhaps it is a
Iwell. / wouldrather be buried whereth
fragrance of the yiolets that purple Med
: ham park shall be waited over my lionel
grave by the earliest spring Winds
may as we'll die in the little village inn.-
!, / would not darken Mary's bright lii
! with the shadow Of death; perhaps she
: married happier man-if so, I will pei
!, ish as ] have lived, and make no sign. :
J Yet would like once more to see he
) the sweet mistress of Medham Park
. He reused from his gloomy, half-deli
|, ious reverie, at what seemed the echo
: his own words, from two young men wh
!. we're chatting carelessly on the opposi
jseat. Il Ss h
.Medham Parkl Tt is the fnost pla,
ot in the country, and very pretty roman
y hangs over its pretty lady.
n "How do you mean?"
"Did you never hear? Mrs. Media
was deserted by her husband" IS.
ct "Nc--never desertedlp
lg The words broke almost inyoluntari
Il from the sick mans lips,l a husky viii
per, that was quite inaudible to Il
speakers. s
ut A''-within an hour of their marriage,
consequence Of strange misundcrstan