Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1877-02-28

Iy anu icpay uiih III Poib i"i h'S
kindness to her. But as yet she
could not bring herself to believe
that Clifford-always so noble, un-
selfish, and good to her-had ac-
tually and wilfully deserted her and
her child.
AS time went on, Balfour begged
her TO take pity on him. She felt
deeply indebted to her rich bene-
factor, and did not want him to
think her selfish and ungrateful, so
at last she told him that he could
have his way, on condition that he
would produce positive proof of
her husbands Inconsistency. He
had gone away then with look of
despair on his handsome face; but
two weeks later he returned tri-
umphantly, with the required proof
in his possession. 1t was a letter
from Clifford Harcourt. How he
showed it to Edith, and what a
heartless, cowardly letter it was, we
have already seen. Edith knew
the handwriting only too well, and
as the last lingering spark Of hope
died out in her breast, she gave
Dyke Balfour the answer he had
waited for so long.
"Our wedding must be quiet
one," she said, in voice of awful
calmness. at will take place in
this room, and there will be but few
invited guests"
"Your wish shall he sacredly OBJ
served, darling" murmured the
millionaire. tenderly, as he stood
close to her chair and held one of
her cold white hands in his. 81
love you madly; I have loved You
for many long, weary years, and ]
thank God for giving you to Inc at
last"
We pass over the week that fol-
lowed. Suffice it say that a legal
divorce was obtained without diff
Guilty or delay, and as soon as Edith
was assured that she was free, pre-
parations were at once consummat-
ed for her marriage with Dyke
Balfour.
CHAPTER III.
A clear, cold, starry night it was
when the few invited guests col
lected in Edith's cosy apartments,
to honor her wedding. Very few
, they were indeed. for only those
were there whom Edith recognized
as her friends and associates. Bal.
, fonr's parents had long been dead
and as he had neither brothers OF
sisters, he thought of none whom
he cared to invite to so quiet and
humble wedding.
Edith was pale and nervous
She called to mind another we'd
ding night, seven years ago, wher
f, she was q happy maiden, and the
contrast was so great that she turn
, ed sick at heart. Bnt she saw th'
: urgent necessity of being as calm
! as possible now, and she steele(
Y her nerves for the trial before her.
The bridegroom was very attent
: i've and tender, and seemed ever
: more handsome than usual, though
: his face was somewhat flushed, a
IL with wine, and there was a rest
p less, uneast look In his eyes.
e The minister arrived, and every
d thing being in readiness, the hrid
: and groom took their positions a
y one end Of the room, to he unite,
d in wedlock. Edith placed her hand
3, cold as ice, in that of Balfour. wh
bent his elegant form to whisper
d word Of encouragement in her ea'
: "How honored she ought to fee
It to get such a husband" said he
d friends, one TO another.
Is The minister stood before then
d open book in hand. and in a deel
modulated voice was pronouncin
1t the marriage ceremony.
4, Edith did not hear him; neithe
,e did Balfour. Both were listenin
g to sonnd in the quiet street below
ID the ring Of rapidly approachin
E. footsteps on the flag pavement
D. There was an instructive feeling
"a the breasts Of each that somethln
pit of an extraordinary nature W,
t. about to happen.
A. There rose terrible din at u
or front door. The minister panse
ri in the middle Of sentence, ar
looked iDquiringly at those arour
r. him. Immediately there was
ut tramping of feet and n wranglir
C. Of voices In the hall; then the foe