River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-01-03

rush, nail 1rantlcallV, toward the railway
station.
In another two hours he alighted at the
door of Hillside farmhouse, and with
white lips and glaring eyes confronted
good Mrs. Fraser, who came nervously
forth TO meet him.
Madam, Z he demanded, " is tins true
which | hearg Isis my niece really
married?n
swell, sir, | must say that Miss Ham
mond did surprise Us all and for my part
hadn't the least notion of such thing
happening
as she marriedgn Numbered the doctor.
"Why, yes, sir" She was married this
morning; and l must say
With groan the doctor sank into a
chair, and wiped his damp brow.
"When | sent her here he said in hot
anger, Il thought she would be safe. She
has been inveigled into this most unsuita
BILE, most disgraceful marriage. A child
Ia mere child.n
Mrs. Fraser opened her eyes, but was
prevented from replying by the entrance
of Ellie, little pale. also agitated and
fearful.
Her cousins marriage with Mr.. Bunce
had been great shock to her.
"Unclen she exclaimed springing
forward to throw her arms around his
neck
But he flung her off, and glared At her
In speeches. anger.
"You-you ungrateful viperm he at
length exclaimed. "How dare you come
near mel How dare you look me in the
face after such conductl'
"Unclen
Ellie was pale with surprise.
II will dlsinherit youl' he continued
excitedly. a will disown you. You and
the clown you have married shall never
darken my door +"
And here he suddenly broke down, and,
sinking upon Mrs Fraser's horse-hair par
lor sofa, bowed his head upon his hands
and wept.
Ellie stood for moment with a strange
smile sparkling in her eyes and upon her
lips. Then she stole to her uncle's side,
and put her arms around his neck, and
her cheek to his, and softly stroked his
hair
Lhe touch melted him at once 1t was
way which she had even when little
child of soothing him when he was tired
or troubled.
"Oh, child, child I would rather you
should have died-would rather have
died myself-than that you should have
done this. Would to heaven that you
had married Doctor Gray"
eYou would not let me, uncle,n re-
sponded Ellie, meekly. II would rather
!, ,.,,l l,
The doctor WINGED at the name. Then
looked up, suddenly.
Ellie, you were married only this
orning. You can scarcely call your
If this mans wife. This marriage can
annulled. l will buy him off with
money! will get divorce. You, Ellie
my child-you can marry DR.. Gray"
She stood for a moment, silent and
thoughtful; then her face frightened with
something between earnestness and hui
NOR.
Uncle Richard, if promise never to
be more to Mr. Bunce than | now ami
| give you permission to try and obtain
for me divorce from him--will you, in
turn, promise full and free consent to
my marrying DR.. Gray2''
eyes, child, yesl l have never APP
proved of divorces, or of divorced parties
marrying again; but in this case, any
thing"
Flies voice trembled little as she
said
Now, uncle, put this compact in writ
ing, and we will both sign it
So the paper was drawn up, and Mrs.
Fraser and her nephew Len much marvel
ing witnessed it; and Ellie, folding away
the paper, said, with that mingled light
still in her blue eyes:
You know, uncle, you never break your
word"
"But law sal1es!" exclaimed Mrs. Fra
ger, ~ don't understand it at all. 1t isn't
Miss Ellie, but your other niece, Miss
Gabrielle, who's married to Mr.. Lucullus
Bunce.
"What" roared the doctor.
At if to corroborate the good woman's
assertion, there was a sound Of wheels
without, and the next moment in walked
Mr.. Lucullus, himself, with his fair bride
on his arm.
The doctors JOY at the welcome discov-
cry Of how matters really stood was too
great to permit him to be very angry at
what he mildly termed Gabriellas fool
ishness.
But of Mr.. Lucullus' feelings on discov-
ering that he had not married the heiress,
what shall be said?
He swore a little, and the bride went
into feeble Mysteries, while Ellie nest
ling close to the doctor, whispered,
softly:
'You know, uncle, you never break your
word p
And, though rather 10th, ne did keep
it, and never regretted it, for DR.. Gray net
only became relation, but a partner in
stead of rival