The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1878-04-09

her fathers in California, and no one
knew her address. The next resort
was to tell Henry, urge him to come
home and consummate public marriage.
1t was now three months since he went
away. Life in the city had many at
fractions for a man like him. Lillian's
letters annoyed him. "Why couldn't
the old marriage do? He was just be-
coming acquainted with d few yaristo-
Cratic families The next week lie was
to attend a grand party at,Dr. Uford's.
He couldn't miss that, etc.
Ufford's party was only the opening of
the gay season in the city. Three or
four nj hts in the week invitations cards
lay on his table, and everywhere he was
fattered and courted. During the day
he was busy at the lectures, and at night
in some grand parlor or at a concert. His
letters became shorter, until a few lines
told her that he was we'll and happy, but
too busy to write. 10 her earnest en-
treaties to come home, if only for day,
he would not yield, asserting that the
first marriage was sufficient.
At last the truth forced itself upon
Mrs. Sharpwell, and when satisfied in
her own mind, she demanded of Lillian
just reason for her situation.
"Mother, I am married." cried the
poor girl throwing herself upon her
bosom.
Colby she pushed her away, saying
"Show me the marriage certificate, or
leave my housed"
ooh, mother!" pleaded Hattie, "Lil-
liam is married, but her papers are
stolen"
"Did you ever see them?" demanded
the mother, sternly. a..
"No; but she told me where she
placed them, and the picture is gone"
She then explained, and the mother
only consented to let her remain at home
on condition that proof their marriage
could be found.
Time moved On, and spring came, but
no clue could be found. The town was
afoat with rumor. Henry had written
to some of his friends and acknowledged
his marriage, but when the time came
for his return it brought only letter,
saying he had started for Europe with
DR.. Uford and his wife and daughter.
He would never again have such COM
pany as the doctors for study abroad,
and the six months would soon pass
away.
Gertrude Ufford was very lovely
young lady Of eighteen, and dangerous
travelling companion for young married
man like Henry. In his last letter to
Lillian, before leaving Philadelphia, he
said: "You need not write while 1 am
travelling. 1t will be very uncertain
about your letters reaching me. Cheer
up, darling; in a few months all your
troubles will have vanished"
Henry's long absence only confirmed
suspicion, and when Lillian's little boy
opened his eyes on the world he was st ig
matized as evil, and even Henry's moth
er refused to look upon her little grand
son. Thong Mrs. Sharpwell had threat
ened, yet her daughters helplessness, her
pale face and speeches. pleading caused
her to relent, and she was suffered to re-
! main at home.
| On board the vessel in which the
Ufford family sailed were few passengers,
| and Henry and Gertie were much alone.
: They played chess, dominoes, sung and
played duets, and the parents were well
pleased with the intimacy. But what
| ever might have been Gertie's sentiments
Henry did not forget other ties Gertie
longed sometimes to lay her head upor
his shoulder, and feel his arm supporting
her; but he would only sit at her feet
? and rest upon his elbow. Sometimes she
would stroke his glossy hair and benc
over him till her auburn curls touched
his cheeks; but he was incapable of being
moved by her advances. It was in hel
| retiring moods that he liked her best
r then she seemed shy and modest, like
, Lillian, and he longed to kiss her anc
hold her in his arms. Sometimes hi:
large tender eyes met hers and read he1
secret; but the lashes would drop ovel
) his own, and the words she waited for re
| manned unspoken.
The summer passed quickly, anc
autumn found them on their homeware
voyage. No words of love had beer
J spoken, and once more on his nativ,
shore Henry hurried to Claysville. H,
| sought his own home first, and from hi
r mothers lips learned the extent of Lii
7 lian's disgrace. He was very angry whe1
, he understood how much she had suffer
ed, and fastened to rectify the wrong
He was exceedingly surprised to find tina
not even his own mother or Lillian's be
lieved they were married, and through
their obstinacy the suspicion had grown
: into q fact. His own letters were not be
: lieved, and everybody thought then
: false. Nothing short of the certilicat,
, would ever rectify the mistake.
His conscience sm0te him as he gaZel
= upon the wreck of his once beautiful
wife. Travel, cultured society, and higl
f life had added dignity to his handsome
: face and manly form; suffering and dis
r grace had robbed her of the rose hue, the
I ripe lips and sunny smile. Pity only
, seemed to move him for her now, and hi
boy was nearer than she. He tried tt
, live with her under the old marriage, bu,
t Mrs. Sharpwell drove him away with
r bitter words, and Lillian, in opposition
to her mother, resolved to fulfil hel
marriage VOWS, and departed with him
from home. Both concluded that q
second marriage would only confirm
public opinion against them, and they
resolved by true lives to prove their in.
nOcenCe.