The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-07-31

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ily aside.
Strange that any one should marry
for such things was all she said.
fIhe next morning as, with my old
eyes blinded with tears, had finished
fastening the white vail over the still
whittier brow, / attempted TO clasp the
necklace of brilliants about her neck.
She pushed them aside with a flash of
her old spirit, and said, bitterly:
Don't, auntiel For another half
hour at least l am my own property
81 said no more, and we descended to
the parlors.
"As Judge Fosters eyes fell on his
daughter, he said sternly,
Where are the groOm's jewels?'
bordering them brought, he clasped
them himself about his daughters neck
and arms. She submitted listlessly.
ave had entered the church. We
had taken our places before the altar.
The last strains Of the wedding march
had died upon our ears. The brilliant
assembly was hushed as the minister
began to speak.
"Dilkes Ramsay's answer, Il will
sounded clear and firm. l raised my
eyes; who was il that / saw leaning
against a pillar, his sombeT eyes filled
with a cOntemptuous scOrn Of the wOm-
an who was selling her soul before his
very eyes? Elaine raised her eyes to
my agitated face. Her glance followed
mine. Then she did what ! think no
woman but a brave as well as a loving
one could DO. The congregation was
still waiting for her answer. As she
caught Philip Rays glance, a burning
I flush sutiused her face, then died, and
/ left her cheek as pale as marble. Her
I eyes lighted with a sudden resolution
Turning from the altar, she passed the
wondering group Of bridesmaids, aud,
in the face Of that gay crowd, went and
stood before Philip Ray.
Philip she said, in a low, sup
pressed tone, why did you not come for
me?'
"Disregarding the strangeness Of the
proceedings in the wild hope that had
sprung up within him, he answered,
I hurriedly:
4 did go to you I wrote to you
went to your house every day for week,
| but was refused admittance. This is
what you sent me-
GAS he spoke he took from his breast
pocket a note worn with many read
/ ings.
"There, in the presence OF that won
dering crowd, Elaine read the note. 1t
ran thus:
"Tf you have any pity for me, cease TO an-
uOy me with your presence. Do you not see
] that can never love you-that my heart Is
] anotner's ELAINE FOSTER
"FThere is some mistake she fall
tered; 4 did not know you came. sent
this note to Dilkes Ramsay
"a light flashed over his face. His
eyes shOne with love and triumph.
"'COme,' he said, tenderly; you are
Of age; let US not risk another separa.
tion.'
He took her hand in his, and to.
gether they stopped before the aston.
ished minister. Raising her hand with
a swift gesture, the diamonds fell TO the
floor. There was nothing theatrical in
this; she had been, to outside appear.
ances, singularly calm through the en-
tire scene.
az felt as though they were choking
me- she said to me afierward.
81 looked about for Judge Foster. He
had left the church.
"Ere I could recover from the fright
into which this oGense against all the
conventiOnalities OF life had thrown me,
Philip Ray aud Elaine Foster were man
aud wife.
UAaA - tue munster " - EAWGlAA- us
beuedictiOn, in rushed, white and
breathless, a servant from Judge FOs-
ter's. We followed the man quickly.
/ Even Dilkes Ramsay recovered enough
/ from his chagrin TO accompany US. As
( We entered the door we beheld, lying on
[ the floor dead, Eiaine's father He had
fallen dead with heart disease, as he
reached his own door.
elaine and Philip never speak Of his
treaehery; he was her father, and he is
dead.
"Of all that remained, Elaine re-
ceived nothing. DIR. Ray had welded a
pOrtionless bride; but / do not think
either Of them has ever realized it, or,
indeed, given a thought 10 the matter
House, furniture, horses, plate, every
thing, was mortgaged 10 Dilkes Ram
say.
"Philip and his bride came to live
with Us, and DR.. Ray is still our village
doctor. They came with me here for a
few days because a poor, foolish old
woman cannot bear them out Of hel
sight for many hours az time.
"Wheuever I think Of that eventfu
day, and see again my darling in bel
trailing white robes, with those hund
reds Of curious eyes bent upon her, 1 an
tempted TO exclaim:
"'Dear heart, how could you fac,
those peopleg
say rather, auntie, how could
hesitate with two lives at stake he
answer is.
"'But, dear urge, Suppose PhiliI
had ceased to love you?'
Then she answers, q should hav,
been free from that odious marriage, 70
Mr.. Ramsay would never have marie,
me after that. But ] did not run $,
great risk, after all ; the moment hi
eyes met mine, my heart told me tha
he still loved me -