The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1875-10-01

said to Royal, '.Sit there" He obliged
her. She sat down facing him, and laid
her hands on his knees and looked him
full in the eyes. .'NNhen [ was sixteen |
went away to boarding school, she said.
"YOu know | have no mOthcr-and nv
sister was cold and undcmOnStrative and
would never let me talk my thoughts to
her. My father never loved me, because
| was the occasion of mymOther's death.
He loved my mother pasSionately-and
has never been the same man since she
died. lie always pushed me away from
him if ! went near him. He would clothe
and school me, but love he would not
give me. was formed for love. Ny
heart always achcd for it. | went away
to school. The second week | met Guy
Porter at Il picnic. He was Il sportsman
from the city, out for Il weeks hunting
and fishing. lie was handsome then
very-dark, dressed well, and wore Il
diamond pin. He was struck with my
pretty face. l was very pretty then
the prettiest girl in the seminary they
called me. Guy was devoted, and flat
tered me | was young, and wanted to
he loved. lie appointed meetings, and
| met him almost daily for Il month.
Then he planned Il secret marriage. |
was SO young my parents might object,
hesaid. We would keep it quiet till was
older, and he could claim me. His pa
rents were wealthy, and had picked out
Il rich heiress for his wife. They would
disinherit him if they knew he had mar
ried me-. In Il year he would be u, and
come into possession of his own proper
ty. SO he told me, and | believed my
self the heroine of II romance. | lied to
the teachers, and got permission to 90
home and attend my sick sister. But |
went away with Guy Porter, and we were
married. In two weeks he tired of me,
and told me the truth. The marriage
was no marriage-l was his victim, not
his wife. | don't know how lived, but
[ did. went back to school. My
haggard face was accounted for by
my weary days and nights of watch
inc and care. But | seemed t.
grow strong and self-reIiant all at
once. | said, 4 have been deceived
and betrayed. / will not sink under it
or DO any sin. L will live Il good true
life now, and perhaps God will let me
be happy sometime, and hide my
shame He did. 1t was never sus-
pccted. | went on as usual, and stud
led. Guy Porter told me he would
never make my disgrace known, and |
think he never did. He seemed sorry
for his sin, when his passions no longer
controlled him, and asked my forgive
ness. He told me he was not a son of
wealthy parents-he was only Il gam
bler,or he would have married me legal
ly-but knew that would be Il worse sin
than the other. He went to California,
and never saw him till yesterday.
Seven long years have passed, and it all
seems like Il dream to me. | supposed
him dead; thought his reckless career
would soon cease. Yesterday | saw
him-knew him at once despite of his
changed appearance. To-day he sent
me 4 note, saying he was dead broke
| must send him 800 or he would
peach | was reading the note when
you came. | was to meet him in the
shrubbery ut IL tonight. You know
all now. You never asked me of my
past life, and | never dared breach the
subject and tell You this shame yolun-
tarily. l thought it would never be
known, and it was all in the past and
buried. Ibid wrong, but it is too late
to repent. | married YOU because |
loved you. love you still, but | know
| have wronged you cruelty, and | do
not expect to be forgiven. | will 90
away tomorrow. Now | am very tired;
my husband, good night. Let me stay
till morning, | ! an so very tired"
She rose up and touched his hands
with her lips and turned to 90. But he
drew her down upon the shelter of his
breast. "My darling, my wife, he
whispered, "you shall never leave this
home or these arms till God calls you.
This is a cruel blow. Compare my own
suffering to what you have felt, and it
shrinks into significance. You are my
wife, and it is my place to protect YOU
and shield you. Let the whole world
rise up and turn against you-against
us-if they will; [ love you, and you are
mine"