The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1872-11-01

WlIeI ulS manner was nearly enough
there was no doubt he really wanted
her-would rather marry her than any
other woman he knew, but that was
all.
Her lips moved to tell him she did
not love him; but as she let fall her
eyes from the crimson.hearted rose
that swun from the vine over the win.
dow, she caught sight of those few lines
again.
Marriedr' she said to herself.
"What can do? He doesn't ask me
to love him. If marry him can be a
true wife to him, and nobody will know
that Paul has Tilted me-"
The decision was made. Her cheeks
W. e ashy pale as she looked up straight
in, his eyes and answered, quietly,
"Yes, will be your wife,"
Her parents were pleased that she
was chosen by SO well.todo a young
man; SO it was settled, and they were
marriei the same summer. People
thought she sobered down wonderfully;
more than that. nothing was said that
would lead any one to suppose that any
change had taken place.
Yes, she had sobered down. She
dared not think of Paul. There was
no hope ahead. Life was time to be
filed with something, SO that she might
not think of herself. John was always
kind, but she got so wearied of his talk
of stock and crops, and said to her.
self: II must work harder, plan and
fuss and hustle about as other women
do, SO that / may forget and grow like
john
Two years went swiftly by. A baby
slept in the cradle, and Martha-no.
body called her Matte but Paul-sat
rocking with her foot as she knitted
blue wooden stocking for the baby's
father. There was knock at the half.
open door.
81 have got into the wrong road; will
you BE- kind enough to direct me the
nearest way to the village p said voice,
and a stranger stepped in.
She rose to give him the required di.
rection, but stopped short, while he came
quickly forward.
"Paul!'
"Mattie!
His face lighted up, and he reached
III.
With a surprised, painful look, she drew
back.
"Mr. Gardner. this is a most unex.
pected meeting"
"Mr. Gardner?' he repeated. "Mat.
tie, what do you mean?''
"Don't call me Matte, if you please 7"
The replied with dignity. my name is
Phillips"
"Phillipsl' he echoed. "Are You
"These are strange words from you,
Paul Gardner; did you think l was
rafting all this time for another wo.
mans husband ?-that l was keeping
ny faith with one who played false so
DON ?"
"Played you false! 1 have not. l
m come as promised you. The two
ears are but Just passed, and | am
ere to claim you. Why do you greet
,e thus? Are you indeed married,
LATHE Gray?"
She was trembling like an aspen leaf.
or an answer she pointed to the cradle.
lie came and stood before her with
hite face and folded arms.
"Tell me why you did this! Didn't
on love me well enough to wait for
le?"
She went and unlocked drawer and
'ok out newspaper. Unfolding it
nd finding the place, she pointed to it
it'll her finger, and he read her mar
age notice.
"What Of this?" he asked, as he met
er questioning, reproachful look. "Oh.
attic you thought it meant me. 1t
my cousin. am not married, nor in {
We with any one but you"
"Are you telling the truth ?" she {
ked, in an eager, husky voice.
And then, as he replied at is tiue,"
e gave low groan and sank into a ;
lair.
"Oh, Paul, forgive me! l didn't
low you had cousin by the same
lme. l ought not to have doubted ,,
u, but twas there in black and white
and this man, my husband, came, and
him.
With bitter tears, she told him how s
happened. With clenched hands, Z
, walked to and fro, then stopped be.
lie the cradle and bent over the sleep. 6
6 child. Lower he bent, till his lips
uched its wee forehead, while he muir.
ured to himself, Mattie's baby"
Then he turned, and, kneeling before ?
n, said in a low voice: IL forgive
u, Matte; be as happy as you can" !
e took both her hands in his and
oked steadily, lovingly into her face.
is lips twitched convulsively as he rose =
his feet. 81 have no right here \
u are another mans wife. Goodbye O
God bless you'll" )
He turned as he went out of the 9
or, and saw her standing there in the v
idle of the room, with arms out
He went back, and putting ;.
} arms around her, pressed one kiss TO u
r cheek, then left the house. never =