The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1879-07-05


: From that day this man began sytem o
petty tyranny over that girl, that was, to he
morbid nervous state, excessively irritating.
do not think that she was seriously dsordcret
at first but under confinement and pcrslStcn
IthWartlng of her desires, a slow fever settled
upon her. She was denied all society, anC
kept IN "a dark and mperiectly aired apartment
i "Adria begs to have the windows open; bu
the doctor saws if she catches cold il will be
sure death" said Margaret, much troubled.
! | did no, know what to say. There Wa
something strange to me about The whole al
far. | observed however, that | had never
seen sick room that was not greatly benefit
ted by the admission of fresh air
Severn is brute or "A bloCkhcal' | would
mutter.
| inquired about her daily.
| " No better" was the lnvariable answer.
At length Margaret said that Adria seemed
to wander much in her Mid. and she was
afraid that she was very i'll. A gloom settled
upon all the house.
One morning, at breakfast the doctor made
a strange announcement.
"Adria informed me this morning that she
wished to be married. he said.
Married." cried Margaret
1T Is the within of a diseased brain; but be
lieve that it will be the best to crafty it, said
the doctor medtatively. You know of course,
| that she is engaged to my friend MIR. Rcdnan -
"Shc never told me- Adrla was always too
close about her love affairs. She seemed to
think It indicate to discuss them exclaimed
Margaret
| Charles Redman is much attached to Adrla.
| If he chose to please this whim Of hers, and
take an invalid bride think the change
would DC good for her. He would take her to
Italy
Margaret began to look little checred but
from the time that sly-eyed mans name was
mentioned, | became actively suspicious.
That Adria Eaton did not love him, was al.
most certain
DR.. Severn seemed more than ever interest
ed in his nieccs recovery. He was with her
almost constantly. Margaret told me that the
wedding would probably take place; for the
doctor had decided upon it, and She had heard
Adria express wish that it should be
But, poor thing" said my sister, bu-yng
her face in her handkerchief, :" it Will be more
like funeral than a wedding When Adra
lies asleep it trightens me to look at her-she
looks, almost, as if she were dead
is MIR. Rcdman near here
"Yes But Adria refuses TO see him until
her wedding day It's strange added my
sister, looking troubled again.
| saw Redman that day-saw HIN walking
i'm the avenue with Dr. Severn. He was lis
tenlng to the doctor with such sly triumph on
his smooth face tina: irstlnctiycly felt smit-
ten with indignation. From that moment
resolved To see Adria--to stand her friend in
deed
That evening had An opportunity tor max
ing my request Margaret said that the ccre
mony would take place the next evening, and
asked me to get flowers from the greenhouse.
when bring Them, should like to take
them up to her, | said
why, certainly she answered.
Procuring the white roses, orange flowers,
and Myrtc, | proceeded 20 Adria's chamber,
end lightly knocked at the door AT first
there was no answer Then came a faint
"come in"
The door was aiar pushed it open, and
perceived that the apartment had but its ha-
bitual occupant, Adria. She lay among the
pillows, mere shadow Of her former self
My sister gave me permission to come in
and see YOU for moment" | said, Il have
brought your wedding flowers
| held them to her view. Her face was
much cmaciated her eyes large and hollow.
Roses and orange1owers. Why are they
mixed with myrtle? You should have had
cypress instead" she said family.
Cypress at a wedding
MY luHtltl 10 81 utui, N'lA hh'N' 'ii' "a
swered
| knclt down by the bedside, and took the
trail little hands in mine
"Adria," sad |, do you think you are go
ing to de-
II know that | am" she answered The
doctor has told me so. | would not have con.
sented to this marriage-but you do not know
she interrupted.
81 wish to know" replied. Dear Adria,
have learned to love you in your trouble.
Trust me. as Il friend with whatever burdens
you
For moment she looked at me III wonder,
then covered her face with her trail hands, and
saw the great tears trlckllng through the
white, slender fingers But as bent over her,
she put me gently back.
No, no! it's too late now Let them have 1t
rs they will"
"Adra' said |, you are not going to die.
You have a whole lifetime before YOU. 1t Is
this confinement and heavy heat which Is
prcyIng upon you"
Again she regarded nae with troubled doubt.
You do not love this Redman!" She
shook her head.
Then why do you consent to marry him ~
Uncle wishes me to. have consented be
cause thought it did not matter, since am
/ TO die so SOON
"Is there any money IN this affair, Adrla"
YES; my little tortune-only few thous
and pounds. 1t was left so that 1t is not in my
control until | am married or OF age, am
only 10 now, you know. If marry Mr.. Red
man 1t will be his whether die or not, and
had as lief he would have 1t rs any one. II
does not matter TO me abost the money, and
when am married | think they will let mt
be ia peace"
At that moment | heard step on the lana
ing; Adria was so much exhausted with talk
ing, and left the room. But now knew my
ground. | was confident that DR.. Severn
wished to obtain some advantage by this mar
rage also was determined that it SHOULD
never take place. All next day the prepare
tons went ON, Meanwhile | decided upor
my course About O'Clock in the afternoon
a carriage came out, bringing Redman and {
clergyman. Soon after the family were sum
moned to Adrlas chamber, where specia
license was read.
The bed was showIly draped, and strewl
with flowers. There were orange blossoms il