The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1869-11-25
The Great Romance!
TIE
RED ROOM:
OR,
A MANS HONOR.
BY SEELEY REGISTER
AUTHOR OF
''The Dead Letter." "Figure Eight etc.
CHAPTER /.
MORE THAN A NINE-DAYs' WONDER.


by those who were present on the occasion, on &C
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 to give this marriage more than a pass
ing interest.
All the friends called it a love-match. To see the
bride, as she appeared at the altar and afterwards
in her fathers elegant home, receiving the con-
gratulations OF the fashionably guests it
would be impossible to think it could be otherwise
for what man, free to do so, could help loving a
girl so wonderfully endowed with personal beauty
grace of manners, and purity of expression Her
face was not only lovely in feature, but full of
cha acter, noble and innocent, with a child's
smile on the tender mouth, and woman's Sc
rious soul looking out of the clear hazel eyes
Young enough and gay enough she was, too, to APP
prcciatc the delights of magnificent toilette
her soft check 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 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 mono the less sweet For
these are matters of great importance even to
lovers. They arc matters for which many women
sell themselves, without asking love in the bargain.
But Evelyn Brockelthorpe had no need to marry
Tor the triumphs of wealth. Her father a lead
ing merchant OF New York, and she had been ac-
cumstomed from her birth, to luxury
The bridegroom, indeed, was not of so wealthy
a family as the bride, although he had brilliant cx-
pectatiOns from two unclcs who had educated and
made favorite 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 unbemished-
above that of most young of his cass-his
prospects fine-himscf sngularly prcpossessing.
Eveyn's parents felt and said, that if 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 viewed, the young couple kissed
cried over, and sent Off on brief journey. Mean
time, that uncle of the bridegroom, who had al
ways done most for him, decided him handsome
house on Murray Hill, and busted himself during
their absence, in fitting it up in fine style from base
ment to attic
The night after their return from three weeks
tour the "house- warming" took place, in the
shape of ball and supper at the new home when
their friends had another opportunity TO admire or
envy. The young wife appeared even lovclier in
rosc-coored silk than the bride had done in peary
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 as
host, so completely was he absorbed in this most
precious of all his new possessions. Afterwards
there We're dozens of their associates who re-
called their own impressions of that night
and all agreed that the most vivid was the beam
ing, cXultant happiness of Bryce GordOn's manner
In fact. he inspiring the rdcule of those
bLSse spirits who think any display of sentiment or
real feeling quite out of date. To other good souls
the sight of love match, with all Ct ceteras to boot
was a delicious treat.
On October Both, one month from the wedding
day. and less than week after the house wal ming
Bryce Gordon and his wife separated. She went
home to her fathers house. but not even to her
own parents would she reveal the reason of the
separation. He remained in the house on Murray
Hill, taking in an old lady for a housekeeper,
though he spoke, sometimes, of renting the place
in the spring, and going abroad TO spend the sum-
mcr
The lips of husband and wife were both scaled.
The dearest friend of each could not obtain a
glimpse ofthc which had led to this unex pcct
ed result. Neither eliminated the other. The GU
rious could not even ascertain which had left
| the other-whether the wife had deserted the hus-
band. or Uice Cersd. 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 avowal to
his uncle.
OF course, all manner of wild rumors few about.
Now it was jealousy on her part-nOw, high tenn
per on his, for Gordon had always degree of de-
termination, firm will, which. while il had aided
to make him the manly young fellow he was, might,
on some OCCASIONS develop latent power of tyran-
nizing. But jealousy and hlSh.temper were not
crime. What else could fling apart two whom it
had appeared as if Heaven had united? What else
ful woman of nineteen into the shadow and retire
ment of such life a. must be Eyelyns hcncefOrth?
and blast the pride Of hopeful, ambitious nature
like Gordons:
We know that there is always more morbid Gu
rosity than genuine sympathy in such cases.
Society on the Qli rice, all winter, looking
when the whole affair would be aired for their cd
iicatOn. But it became evident, in the course of
trle, that such a step was not contemplated.
Evelyn remained quietly in her fathers house,
who was too powerful man in wealth and position
to allow of his daughter being ignored, no matter
what mystery surrounded her circumstances. She
saw friends at home, attended church, went, some
times to an opera, lecture or picture gallery but
into society she went no more. She dressed
entirely in gray, or some sober color; and the
same change which took place in her attire seemed
to come over her beauty. Its sparkling, youthful
playful charm vanished in its place came a color
less proud face, dreamy unreadable eyes, calm re-
served manners. On her knees her own mother
had beg ed open her heart TO her. and all she
had gained in answer was Evelyns shivcring re-
quest:
me- is 10 avoid that subject altogether. The time
has not come when can confde even In you"
The servants of the young couple had told, in an
swcr to the question which the relatives of both
families felt compelled To put, that, the night before
the separation, they had been surprised by the
sound of sharp, excited conversation in the libra
nv: but. whether the voices were those of master
and mistre So theirs only not theirs at all, they
could not affirm. About midnight, two of them,
who CHANGED not to be asleep, heard the report OF
pistol: but whether that in the library, or in
The ladys room just over IL, they were not certain,
they being i'm an attic bedchamber at the time.
When the paror maid came down TO attend To inc
front of the house, the next morning, Mrs. Gordon
was walking back and forth in the parlor very pale,
with her hat and cloak on; and, in few inmates,
Michael came round with the carriage Mrs. Gordon
went forth, her husband coming down the stairs
and going out TO see her into the coachbut she did
not think they spoke to one another. This was all
that tcds kaoiUn 10 be kR0hCn by any one, of the at
tending circumstances of the strange and mclan-
choy affair." which bid fair to remain wrapped in
impenctrabc mystery as the separation of Lord
and Lady Byron, long years before.
But, as there must always be a bias to public
opinion in cases like this, it came to beteh no one
could explain how that the wife had been the party
to blame Yet, what she had done that was wrong,
no one thought Of asserting.
Bryce Gordon did fine business on Wall street,
that winter; friendly on the street with his old
associates, frank and pleasant In his dealings; but
people remarked growing haughtiness rather
decision, in his manner. and lines growing about
his mouth and eyes, not natural ON so young face.
lie abjured society completely FOR the first three
| months, spending all his evenings at home in his
empty house. ~
or the costly presents which her husband had
given her during their betrotha and after their
marriage. Mrs. Gordon retained but one articlc-a
1 lockct. This she wore always, suspended apou
her neck by fine gold chain, the lockct itscf hid
den on her bosom, within the folds of her dress.
1t was handsome toy richly set with emeralds and
diamonds; and il excited the surprise of her mother
that she should continue To it, containing,
| che supposed IL did, Bryce's miniature.
| But whatever IL contained, for whatever rea-
she wore 1t, the locket never left Evelyns neck,
! night or day. .r.r-E 400 +. rtt
| One night, in the latter part of the winter Mr..
Brockelthorpes family aroused by loud screams
in Eyclyn's room. On reaching It, her parents
found her sitting up in bed, trembling and pale,
| but her eyes flashing indignant fire
"Seel they thought to rob me OF thisl'' she
cried excitedy holding up the locket, the chain OF
| which was broken.
" Robbers in the house ~ said the father, who
| had grasped revolver at the first alarm would
| like nothing better than TO meet them"
'sStay, papa. The only thief is Celeste, the new
dressing rnaid and she, doubtless, has made her
/ cape Thank heaven. am but light sleeper. or
| she would have gained her object As IL Is, be
| licye she has used something TO stupefy me. D."
There tods perccptible odor of chloroform in the
room. fe..t flt tt
Some of the servants by this time were al the
| Mr. orEelfhorup ftnr Cd oil lie