Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1869-11-25
CHAPTER /.
MORE THAN A sIsspAYs' WONDER.

OLD MORE THAN NINBDAYs' woNDER.
On September Both, A. D. 1865, Evelyn Owen
Brockelthorpe and Bryce Gordon were married. in
Grace Church, New York. This was little over
four years ago but the wedding is still talked of
by those who were present on the occasion, on ac-
count OF its great splendor the youth beauty. and
high social position of the parties, and also because
of an event which occurred soon afterwards, well
calculated give this marriage more than pass
ing interest.
All the friends called II a loye-match. To see the
bride, as she appeared at the altar and afterwards,
in her fathers elegant home, receiving the con-
gratulations of the fashionablyattred guests, IL
would be impossible to think II could be otherwise
for what man, free to do so, could help loving
girl so wonderfully endowed with personal beauty,
grace OF manners, and purity of eSpressiony Her
face was not only lovely in feature, bu, full of
character, noble and innocent, with a chd's
smile on the tender mouth, aud woman's re-
rious soul looking out of the clear hazel eyes.
Young enough aud gay enough she was, too, to APP
preciate the delights of y magnificent toilette
her soft cheek blushed whenever she met the
bridegrooms gaze, yet her satisfaction In her own
style and beauty was doubtless sufficiently keen;
she knew that her vail was superb, her pearls cost
ly and her satin robe simply unrivaed: and this
pleasant assurance made her eyes none the less
bright, and her smile none the less sweet For
these are matters of great Importance even to
lovers, They are matters for which many women
sell themselves, without asking love in the bargain.
But Evelyn Brockelthorpe had no need to marry
for the triumphs of wealth. Her father was lead
ing merchant of New York, and che had been ac-
eumstomed, from her birth, to luxury.
The bridegroom indeed, was not of so wealthy
family rs the bride, although he had brilliant ex-
pectations from two uncles who had educated and
made lavorte OF i'm. His father had left him
property which brought in handsome income for
single man and he had, previous to his taking a
wife, gone into business which promised great
returns. His reputation was unblemished--far
above that OF most young men of his class-his
prospects fine himself singularly prepossessing.
Evelyn's parents felt and said, that II they must
part from their child at all, they could not ask
husband to whom they would more willingly re-
sign her happiness.
Well, the wedding cake was eaten. the bridal
presents were viewed the young couple kissed,
cried over and sent of on brief journey. Mean.
time, that uncle OF the bridegroom, who had nj
ways done most for him, decided him a handsome
house on Murray Hill, and busted himself, during
their absence, in 1tting II up in fine style nom base
ment to attic.
The night after their return from three weeks
tour the "house warming" took place in the
shape Of a ball and supper at the new home, when
their friends had another opportunity to admire or
envy. The young wife appeared even loyeier in a
rose-coorcd silk than the bride had done In pearly
satin. The husband was in danger of being laughed
at for the evident fondness with which he regarded
her being nearly guilty of neglecting his duties AZ
host, so completely was he absorbed in this most
precious of all his new possessions. Afterwards,
there were dozens of their associates who re-
called their own impressions Of that night,
and all agreed that the most vivid was the beam
ing exnltant happiness of Bryce Gordon's manner.
In fact he came near inspiring the ridculc of those
bsse spirits who think any display of sentiment or
real feeling quite out of date. To other good souls
the sight OF lovematch, With all a caterds to boot
was a delicious trent.
On October Both, one month from the wedding
day, and less than week after the house -waI ming
Bryce Gordon and his wife separated She went
home to hsr fathers house but not even TO her
own parents would she reveal tho reason OF the
separation He remained In the house on Murray
HILL taking in an old lady for houSckeeper,
though he spoke, sometimes, Of renting the place
in the spring, and going abroad to spend the sum
mer.
The lips of husband and wife were both sealed
The dearest friend OF each could not obtain
glimpse ofthe cause which had led to this unexpect
ed result. Neither eliminated the other The Gu.
rious could not even ascertain which one had left
the whether the wife had deserted the hus-
band, or Uice Versa. Only one thing Evelyn de.
Clared to her parents-that the parting forever
and that nothing could change this understanding
between the two. Bryce made similar ayowal to
his uncle.
or course all manner of wild rumors flew about
Now, 1t was jealousy on her part-now, high tenn
per on hs,--for Gordon had always degree on de
termination a firm will, which, while IL had aided
to make him the manly young fellow he was, Da,qht,
on some occasions, develop latent power OF tyran-
nlzing. But jealousy and hlghtemper were not
the worst things limited at. There must be some
crime. What else could fling apart two whom il
had appeared as II Heaven had unitcdr What else
could be allowed TO ruin two lives send beauii-
full woman of nineteen into the shadow and retire.
ment OF such life N must be Eyeyn's henceiorthy
and blast the pride OF hopeful, ambitious nature
like Gordon'sf
We know that there il always more morbid Gu.
riosy than genuine sympathy In such cases.
Society was on the qa r,ce, all winter, looking
for one or the other 10 begin legal proceedings,
when the whole affair would be aired for their ed
iheation. But 1t became evident In the course OF
time. that such n step was not contemplated.
Evelyn remained quietly In her fathers house,
who was ~ powerful man In wealth and position
TO allow n his daughter being ignored, no matter
what mystery surrounded her circumstances. She
saw trends al home, attended church, went, some
times to an opera, lecture. or picture gallery but
into society she went TO more. She dressed
entirely In gray, or some rober color; and the
same change which took place in her attire seemed
70 come over her beauty. III sparkling. youthful
playful charm vanished in IT. place came color
less proud face dreamy. Inreadable eyes, calm 70.
served manners. On her knees her own mother
had begged her to open her heart 10 her and all she
had gained in answer was Eyeyn's sDyerng re-
quest
Mother, the greatest favor you can possibly do
me- IL to avoid that subject altogether. The time
has not come when eap conHde even IN you.
The servants OF the young couple had tod. IN an
swer TO the question which the relatives OF both
families felt compelled TO put, that, the night before
,he separation, they bad been surprised by the
sound OF sharp, excited conversation in the libra
ry but, whether the soices were those OF master
and mistress theirs only, or not theirs at all, they
could not affirm. About midnight, two OF them,
who Glanced not to be asleep heard the report OF a
pistol; but whether that was In the library or IN
The lady's room Just over II, they were not certain
they being in an attic bed-chamber at the time
When the parlor- maid came down to attend 20 the