The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-11-23
VIRGINIA, NOVEMBER %. 1876.
A Singular Marriage.


"Jennic june" writing from New York
to the Baltimore American, gives the follow
ing account OF a singular marriage:
A very quiet wedding took place the othci
day under circumstances so remarkable that
they are worth the telling. Sometime age
it was observed in the circles in which they
moved, highly respectable circles too. that &
gentleman whose age entitled him to be con.
sidercd bachelor, and lady art isl, no,
much younger, but very attractive. ana who
makes great deal Of money. were so init
mate and so much together upon all occa.
sions as to warrant the opinion that they
were engaged. This proved to be the fact
and many were the congratulations. and
much the Joking in consequence for the gen
tleman, because of his cynicism had been
understood as a confirmed woman-hatcr,
while the lady had expressed herself after
the manner OF ladies, on the wrong side Of
twenty-five. as determined never to marry.
Cupid, however. seemed determined te
make them pay up for lost time. They were
a most devoted couple, evidently very much
in love. and the only question that troubled
their friends was, why they did not get mar
ried.
Privately, this problem disturbed the lady
as much as 1t did her friends. There seemed
to be nc reason why they should not marry.
Both were tolera5ly we'll off; each seemed
independent OF the world and Of relatives.
for the lady lived with, and supported, her
mother, and had done so for many years.
while the only relative of the gentleman that
anyone knew OF was sister at school. The
question OF ways and methods had often
been discussed between the contracting par
ties, and it had been decided that the LADY
should retain her home (she had declared it
impossible for her to leave her mother as
long as she should liyc); that she should en-
large her pretty French ''nat" by taking
two additional rooms, which she volunteered
to tit up and arrange in the most approved
"Eastlakc'' style. Yet still, though impa
tent and eager for the time when they
should occupy joint home, the lover ap-
parently sllrank from the mention Of the
day when the knot was to be tied. But the
time came when it was necessary to begin
preparations, the rooms had to be taken or
left, and, Of course, they were taken, and in
short time cxquisitcly furnished.
Still, though the month had been men
toned, the day had not been set. and one
evening the lover. after requesting the lady
to attire herself for 3 walk, took her to :,
quiet city park and impctuously asked her
to marry Immediately and leave with him
for a five years absence in Europe. This
proposition paralyzed her. OF course she re-
fused. She could not leave her mother; she
had just newly furnished her house; she had
taken upon herself heavier obligations as re-
garded rent; and had contracts unfulfillct.
1t was simply impossible. He, man like, re-
preached her-declarcd she did not love him,
and left her in a passion of rage, which as
tonished and overwhelmed her, but which
Of course was principally pretencc. A few
evenings after that 4 visitor was announced
who requested to see her alone. and was
shown into her studio. On entering she
found small, slender woman. dressed in
black. who. throwing aside her veil, ap-
preached her.
Madame sue said, lyon do not know
me, but understand that you are engaged
to be married to q man who ought to be my
husband, and came to throw myself upon
your pity and forbearance.'' Her story was
chat she had been married to man who
neglected her; that some eight years previous
she had become acquainted with Mr.. D.,
who first ptied, then loved; then she left
her husband for him on his solemn promise
to marry her il ever she was free; that snbse-
quently some five years after her husband
had died Of hard drinking, but lie had then
refused to fulfill his promise, and it was not
until recently that she had discovered that
he had formed other plans. She had then
made 4 desperate appeal to him, and threat
ened exposure. Hc had tleGed her. and here
she was.
This story suggested an explanation to the
lady Of her lovers conduct Of the previous
evening, and though the discovery was a
shock beyond the power Of words to express,
for her heart had suggested many reasons
for his strange behavior, and never doubted
but it would all come out right, she could
not help feeling of pity for the poor for
lorn and lovely woman. so shut off from
sympathy, so desperate in her need, and so
evidently destined to an early grave, for she
was nnmistakably in the grasp of cons,.mp-
ton.
A week after this, and before she had de-
cided to write to him or not. she received
visit from her aflianccd, who, ignorant OF
what she knew, began to urge his project for
a European trip of longer Or shorter dura-
ton. She silcnced, in fact stunned, him by
giving the history of the visit she had re-
ceived, and urging upon him the duty Of
making whatever reparation he could to the
unfortunate woman, If her story was true.
He acknowledged its truth, but declared that
he had been entirely separated from her
since his engagement, only paying small
sum per week for her subsistence.
Finally, her voluntary offer that she would
nevermarry unless she married him, her pray :
ers, tears and her entreaties prevailed. He con-
sented to marry the woman he had Gishon-
ored, to allow her to bear his name but on
the condition that he was not to live with
her. lie took small floor for her, furnish
ed it neatly under Miss rs superintend-
cnce, and month ago was married at the
"Littlc Church Around tho Corner,'' with
only Miss T and her mother as witnesses.
He drives his wife out occasionally, but only
when his former betrothed will accompany
them, an arrangement perfectly agreeable
to his wife, for she relies upon her. and has
learned to love her dearly. The other day
| met the strange trio in the park. andneith-
er one looked unhappy. On the contrary,
there were indications OF inward peace and
satisfaction about them all, and l fancy al
aciU come out right, though few will know
| through what tangled path they have walk
ed to their paradise. for. at present, it is
| only known that that wedding has not come