The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1878-04-09
From the Wave1ly Magazine.
The Lost Certificate.

WAS married to Henry Wilson. He was
two years older, and both were rich.
Lillian's relatives were nearly the whole
aristocracy 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,
it was secret and even unprecedented
by the parties themselves.
They had gone for long ride, and
would not return till evening. The fore
noon wore away, and dinner time found
them near country inn. Here they
ordered dinner and their horse fed.
They were alone in 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 Of his PROPOSE.
tion;: but he grew more serious, and
urged as reason her mothers dislike tc
their union.
"She will never consent freely" he
urged, "and will be more likely to yield
gracefully after she sees we have out.
generated her, than while she holds the
prize"
Lillian began to falter; perhaps hel
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 theil
lives should show no sign of their rela
tionship. 1t was evening when they re-
turned, and Henry left her at her owr
door, only lingering long enough to wits
per, good night, wife, and leave kis:
upon her lips.
He did not come back for several days
and Lillian was SO restless she coulC
neither eat nor sleep. One evening Il!
she lay tossing on her bed, her elder sis
ter, in whom she had always contided
asked the cause of her uneasiness; and
throwing her arm around her, she ex
claimed
"Ob, Hattie, am married, and
promised not to tell; but l must tel
YOU"
After this she burst into tears, anC
when she grew calmer, the dear sister
gently sale, -
GILLIAN, how came you to do such 6
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 afte,
she could not help herself. But oh,
fear | have done very unwise thing
Please tell me what to do. 1t seems sc
wicked to stay with mother six months
and not let her know. Oh, Hattie, you
must help mel"
Hattie held the trembling form in hel
arms and tried tv 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. It seemed a fit time to
take Hattie into their confidence, but
neither intimated what had happened land
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
80 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, be 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 his 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.
i He had resolved to quit drinking the
day they were married, and for several
days did not taste wine; but week s. seer
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