The Placer herald., 1873-04-12
away, laughing 10 herself.

10 katie accepted Mr.. HillsOn that evening
with very little ronance and plain eyes. 4"
He thanked her like a sensible man, kissed
her ONCE. told her he would try to make her
happy, hoped she loved him ehcuyh to try
the same. went down stairs and--took a
drink. AT least that's what suppose he
did, for, seeing how he had reduced the
thing to science, think that would have
been the most natural conclusion lie could
have come to. under the circumstances.
Next day Katie announced her engage
ment to Mrs. Iison and Frark The
pretty widow opened her black eyes, looked
surprised, and followed suit. Then there
were mutual congratulations, during which
Frank looked a little dolefully -, Katie, and
mentally likened her to one Of the blessings
which brighten as they take their fight, and
Mr.. Hillson took Beth's little hand in his,
squeezed it hard. and wished her much joy.
for the second time in her life: and Mrs
Hillson gave him half startled, half defiant
look which no one observed. So, one step
being completed, it remained to step again
TO the wedding; which they set for one even
ing of the month following, and agreed to
enter on lite's journey together, with no wit
nesses save themselves and the clergyman
1t happened that a masquerade had been ar
ranged to take place on the wedding night
md the ladies' had received invitations
They decided to dress in white. wear black
silk masks end attend the p rty for few
hours. then quietly leave the room with their
lovers and proceed to the church, where a
clergyman would he in waiting, get married
and return to the hotel The eventful night
came, and the elite of the country town
thronged the room, when our party of four
masked and cloaked, entered the room
Everything passed off merrily and unsuspi-
ciously till Karie's watch pointed the hour OF
eleven. Then she slipped unobserved into
the ante-room, where the rest Of the p'rl,
were in waiting. She wrapped her cloak
silently around her, and taking her lovers
arm, they all passed out into the street. The
evening WAS soft and calm, and a silver,
moon hung low in the heavens, while the
man snnglv ensconced therein watched them
with one eye. After short walk the,
reached the church, and seeing faint lighl
hmrning, went forward without unmasking
The clergyman sat behind his hook, sleepl,
rubbing hs eyes Mrs llillson and her
lover stood up first, and were quietly and
solemnlv made man and wife. Then k,iir
and her lover were united. In the silence
that ensuod the henrt-hea's of The party
were distinctly audible Finally the clergy
man. who had been previously p'id to per-
form the cerenony-which accounted for his
sleep;ness-shook hands all round, VIII lc
they were unmasking, and retired for the
certificates. Katie turned to her husband
Great Heavens! 1t was not Paul Hillson
It was an entire stranger! She gasped and
sat down. 1t WAS the gentleman on whose
devoted head she had thrown Franks bunch
Of flowers. Where, then, was Paul? A
convusive gnrgle from Mrs Hillson caused
her to look that way. Paul and Mrs. Hill
stood on opposite sides Of the aisle. Paul re-
garding his bride with the calmnes of despair
and she returning the look with one of hor-
ri6ed amazement Katie was dumb for
some minutes. She broke the silence wrath
fully:
"Well! I'd like to know who am mar
ried to. il any one will he good and conde
acending enough TO tell me-" cas'ing al
indignant look on the stranger at her side.
mark Elliott, at your SERVICE" he an.
swered. lowering his head with proudly
defcrenrial air to the woman he was 90
strangely welded TO. His low, mellow
voice struck an untouched chord in Kaiie's
heart.
ooh, dear! only for my foolish freak we
should have unmasked and rot run straigb
into trouble. We can't ever be united. IT.
40 different from the iieing up, you see'
moaned Katie, helplesslv.
"Suppose we make the hest of it, little
wife ?" suggested her husband, taking ont
of her small hands in his.
81 don't see any help for it," she an
swered. ungraciously.
81 love you now, my Katie, and If you
will trv and love me- lean make yon happy" ;"
Then Paul Hson spoke for the first time ::
"This ia a strange wedding, Beth and
we are twice married.
"Ohw sid Katie, "were you ever mar
ried before? ?"
"W'edded and divorced within a year."
,nswerd Paul.
upon my sonl--if have any-I don't
know whether Pm on my head or heels !!
Have you been married efore, Mark Eli
oft ?" exclaimed the startled girl, turning to
her husband.
"Never-my wife, " he said, smiling down
| 1t her astonished face.
"Would yon hav, married me. Paul Hill
son. without telling me that?" She asked
sharply.
Il thought you knew it, Katie; that Beth
had told you. Besides have always loved
Beth. What have you to say, my twice
welded wife ?"
Beth was strangely silent.
beth" said Paul. bending over her, 81
think we have both been wrong; but it yon
will try to love me AZ You once did, will
bear more and do more for your dear sake
han have ever done yet. Will you have
me, Beth ?" too proud to touch even the
hand Of the woman who belonged to him by