The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-04-23

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ing Ned with great pleasure.
This, then, was her reason for wishing
to take the journey alone at the begin
ming of this story. She had no intention
of going to Miss Bridgman's on her ar
rival at s., but would meet Ned, and
they would lay their plans together.
The day she left her fathers house to
so to s. alone was the day OF Neds
commencement exercises, and that even
ing, as he was packing his trunk, he re-
ceived little perfumed note, asking
for meeting next day at their usual
trysting place and signed "Your Loving
Wife, Ally.'
After considering all things, he con-
cluded to meet her and explain that the
marriage was only mock marriage, and
for her to return to her father and never
speak of it to any one in all her life. So
he sent her message to meet him at the
depot, as he would leave on the 8 o'clock
train, and would not have time to meet
her elsewhere.
He could not deny it would be great
pleasure to see her once more, and he
even caught himself wondering how she
looked, and if she would be glad TO see
him. He hoped she would not take 1t
hard when she found out what a victim
she bad been.
Morning came, and with it the usual
routine of dressing and breakfast; but,
somehow, Ned's appetite was gone, and
his friendly landlady, with whom he was
great favorite, was anxious, fearing the
meal did not suit him. 1t being his last
meal in the house, she had taken great
pains tohavehis pet dishes; but, although
he had praised everything, she could see
there was something wrong, for he left
the table with the meal untouched.
The truth was, Ned Seeley was not all
bad, and his heart began to fail him as
the time drew near to acquaint little Ally
with the dreadful truth.
The train would leave at 8; and, as it
was now long past 7, he hastily bid his
friends goodby, and, refusing their escort
to the depot, started forth with heavy
heart, and feeling very guilty.
Ally had been waiting in the depot
since daylight, in a state of hope and fear
almost bordering on insanity. She had
about given Ned up when she heard IA
miliar step on the pavement outside, and
flew rather than ran on to meet him.
Such trust and such love as shone in
her beautiful eyes unnamed Ned, the
tears started unbidden to his eyes, and
something in his throat prevented his ut
tering the cruel words he had framed for
her. Poor, frail little Ally; he saw she
was not long for this world, and his
wicked resolve was changed in minute.
He gathered her in hsarms, and deter
mined TO brave everything to make what
recompense he could to this poor girl.
The train was about to move oil, SO he
asked her to accompany him TO Boston,
and they both went aboard the train.
He then asked about her health; she
told him the doctor said her trouble was
heart disease, and any great shock would
kill her. A silent De Gratias went up
from Ned's heart that he had not told
her the truth, as it would surely have
killed her. -,
So he told her that his people would
, not believe if they said they were mar
ricd two years ago, so they would go at
once, on their arrival in Boston, ano
!, have the ceremony performed, and never
. let anybody know about the first mar
. rage, and then their friends would think
that it was an elopement. Ally readily
assented, and tearfully reproached her
, self for having even the shadow OF {
:. doubt. Arrived in Boston, they took :
coupe, and in few minutes were in the
. presence of Rev. Mr. Johnston.
i, A more stately bridegroom or dain
. tier bride never pledged their vows thar
Ned and Ally, as they were pronounced
! man and wife.
- - Ned's family were awaiting his arrival
y having taken the night train previou
:. from s..
= When they saw he was accompanies
h by a lady they were surprised, but whel
II she was introduced as Mrs. Edmond Sc
lev, indignation took the place of all othe
u feelings, and was so freely expressed
. that little Ally burst into tears and Wa
" carried fainting from the room. The
" y, placed her in a pleasant room, in qule
" part of the house and sent for a phi.
=, .ician. Her parents were sent for, an
= came as soon as steam could carry then
u. They could not understand why she IA
u awav to be married, and she never tol
h them.
~ a. She was very i'll for few days. Th
- ?, old doctor shook his head, and poor Ne
y. ~ was distracted, but at the fourth day sll
a rallied, and then came slowly back
u life and love. Ned's mother and onl
= sister grew to love her dearly and sh
~ ~ and Ned were to live in pretty littl
of house with grounds not far away, an
", y, everything looked bright for Ally. Ne
!! was very proud of his tiny wife, an
N never regretted that his good angel ha
~ ~, made him change his mind. Two yea
", le later he stood "a crushed, broken-hearte
~ man, gazing upon the lifeless form OF h
% beloved Ally with their babe laid sweet
h. at rest upon her breast. He knew, al
lit lit he said, that he was to blame for h
ao II, blighted health, and the thought W
nd maddening.
'0 As she Icy 50 peaceful and happy loo
q, ing, he, of all the world, most wretche
IN was saying over to himself: "When
y " IL wanted to get rid Of her could not, b
81 now what would not give to have Ii
,ei back again?
nd Ihe Ialt Movement.
ch [Cockerell in the Baltimore Gazettc.l
nd Tho Taft movement is booming in Oh