The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1878-03-07
From the WaverIy Magazine.
The Lost Certificate.

- " AAVoS " VI ONNsSb
Lillian was only nineteen when she
was married to Henry Wilson. He was
two years older, and both were rich.
Lillian's relatives were nearly the whole
arlstocracy of the somewhat proud vii
lage of Claysville, and Henry's family
were visited by the fashionable people of
a neighboring town, where most of..their
friends lived. 1t would naturally be
supposed, therefore, that the wedding
was very grand one. On the contrary,
1T was secret and even unprecedented
by the parties themselves.
They had gone for a long ride, and
would not return till evening. The fore
noon wore away, and dinner time found
them near a country inn. Here they
ordered dinner and their horse fed.
They were alone il the parlor, and Henry
naturally began to tease Lillian, and
finally urged her to consent to a private
wedding. 1t was in Pennsylvania, and
they needed no license; both were of
age, and nothing could prevent. At
first she only made light CO his PROPOSE
ton; but he grew more serious, and
urged as a reason her mothers dislike to
their union.
"She will never consent freely" he
urged, "and will be more likely to Weld
gracefully after she sees we have out
generated her, than while she holds the
prize"
Lillian began to falter; perhaps her
hand was destined to save him. He had
no very bad faults; only little wine
now and then. He was going away in a
month to attend lectures and the thought
that she, his wife, was waiting for him,
seemed argument enough in his favor.
With many misgivings, she gave the de-
sired consent and some time during the
afternoon they stopped at a parsonage
and were married. They agreed to keep
it secret until he should return, and their
lives should show no sign of their rela-
tionship. II was evening when they re-
turned, and Henry left her at her own
door, only lingering long enough to whis-
per, good night, wife, and leave kiss
upon her lips
He did not come back for several days,
and Lillian was SO restless she could
neither eat nor sleep. One evening as
she lay tossing on her bed, her elder sis
ter, in whom she had always confded,
asked the cause of her uneasiness; and,
throwing her arm around her, she ex-
claimed
con, Hattie, | am married, and |
promised not to tell; but | must tell
you"
After this she burst into tears, and
when she grew calmer, the dear sister
gently said,-
Lillian, how came you to do such a
very foolish thing?"
We had no idea of marrying in the
morning, but you know mother opposes
my preference for Henry, and he urged
that she would easily be won over after
she could not help herself. But oh,
fear | have done very unwise thing.
Please tell me what to do. 1t seems so
wicked to stay with mother six months
and not let her know. On, Hattie, you
must help me-"
Hattie held the trembling form in her
arms and tried to comfort her, and be-
fore they went to sleep each had conclud~
ed to keep the secret.
The next evening Henry came. Mrs.
Sharpwell was away, and only the two
girls were there. 1t seemed fit time to
take Hattie into their confidence, but
neither intimated what had happened, and
at ten o'clock he went away. The next
evening and the next he came, but no
suspicion could arise of their relationship.
He was courteous to all, very tender to
Lillian, but not unduly familiar.
Mrs Sharpwell could not help liking
him. His manners were so easy, his face
so handsome, and his elegant, aristocratic
ways so accorded with her ideas of true
gentleman, that it was hard to refuse
him her daughter. But her husband
slept in drunkard's grave and he was
handsome, proud and noble; only little
wild when she married him. So she al
ways welcomed Henry with the under
standing that he could never marry
Lillian with her consent. He was the
life of every gay circle in which they
moved, and many fair faces tried to cap
tivate him; but whatever his faults
might be, he never wavered in his stead
fastneSs to Lillian. There was something
of worship in his love for her. In her
presence no one could tempt him to
touch the Intoxicating cup. AT parties
where all drank freely, her influence re-
strained him, and the thought of the kiss
at the door was enough to keep mis- lips
pure. Yes there were times when his
gay companions could induce him to
drink, and before he knew his danger,
habit was laying heavy chains upon him.
He had resolved to quit drinking the
day they were married, and for several
days did not taste wine; but week after
his resolve he yielded to the temptation.
When he thought of his wife he resolved
not TO call but another glass made him
reckless, and. leaving the saloon, he was
soon In her presence. One glance, and
her heart sank like lead. Hattie noticed
it, and sought her chamber to weep. /
Several young people were present, and
all knew by his glib talk that he had
been drinking. Mrs. Sharpwell treated
him very coldly; Lillian shrank from his
touch, fearing he would reveal their
secret. At nine o'clock the company
left, and Hattie came into the room again. I
Mrs. SharpweL whispered, as she left the ?
room, Don't leave them alone, Hattie" /
len o'clock came and still he stayed; I
eleven, and Hattie, in a familiar way.
lntimated that he had better go home.
The month was nearly gone, and he
had only six or seven DAYS to stay, when
he determined 70 have one more ride with
his wife. She could net refuse him. but
she had some misgivings about their re-
turn home the same day. 1t was two
o clock when they started, and sunset
found them ten miles from Claysyille.
There was storm gathering in the west,
and as night came on thick darkness fell.
To ride farther was impoSsible and thew