River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-06-26

sight of two dim figures hulrying down
the road.
81 thought you would never come" he
said, as he pushed the gate for them tc
pass out.
The taller of the two females did not
reply as she took his proffered arm, but
drew her thick veil more closely about
her face.
They walked ON for some time without
speaking, the man and one woman in
front, while the other woman kept close
to their heels.
II wish you had permitted me to bring
carriage, Violet. Is it very far9" asked
the man presently.
NO" was the reply, in a whisper.
1T is almost the first house as you
come into Green street. said the woman
trudging on behind, sit amt far now
There was silence again.
''Here we are" said Jane-for she II
was-after n while. THAT is Johnson's
and here is the minister's house"
She held back the gate while the other
two passed in.
"How you tremble, Violet" whispered
Archer, as they went up the path. 'Have
no fear, dear, it will soon be over"
You are late said the minister, as
he ushered them into his sunny little
parlor. You will just have time to
catch the train, he added, as he looked
at his watch; s1however, these late trains
are seldom on time. Wait, | will call
my wife.
mo, there is no occasion, srid Archer,
quickly at will delay us still more.
This witness, suppose Will be sufficient,
He mentioned TO Jane, who was stand
ing beside the table, where lamp was
burning dimly. The minister wiped his
glasses, and without more ado took out
his book, and glanced suggestively at the
bridegroom.
Archer took the yelled lady's hand,
and the ceremony commenced. Every
thing went on smoothly until it came
where the minister asked the all import
ant question of the woman. The preach
er's utterance was low all along, but as
he came to that point Jane pushed a
heavy book from the table. and in tho
confusion Archer failed to hear the bride 9
name mentioned, and in fact, the greater
part Of the question The bride however,
murmured quick assent, so there was
no necessity for the minister to repeat
the formula. A few words more ended
the ceremoney, and they were pronounced
man and wife. Archer placed a note in
the preachers hand, which threw that
gentleman into a fit of pleasant abstrac
ton, and, putting the brides arm within
his, turned to go.
Inna na,, IL, ~, q Il
couple to the railroad station. The traiR
was little behind time, the agent said
but it would be along shortly; so they
went into the ladies' room to await it,
arrival The room was heated to fever
heat, as is the custom in railroad waiting
rooms, and Archer threw up window
to restore the atmosphere to something
like a bearable condition. No one was
In the room except themselves, but the
ticket agent, Gagged in his box in one cor
ner like wild beast, was within hearing
distance.
Eve have long ride before us, dear,
said Archer, tenderly, as he leaned over
his wife's chair; s,do you feel tired2"
No" was the short and low reply
''Why do you tremble so, darlingl" he
asked, bending over the shrinking form
You are not i'll, | hope!'
mo"
There was a sharp whistle in the dis
lance. The agent stuck his head out OF
the window in his cage, and screamed ::
''The train is coming though the cut"
Il have not had the husbands kiss
yet"
His hand touched the heavy veil over
hanging the brides features. She made
no move to prevent him from accom-
plishing his purpose. He uncovered the
face, and bent down to touch the lips.
''Great Godr' he suddenly exclaimed,
starting back with an Undesirable look,
''Whose. trick is this?'
Miss AIedring had something to do
with it, SIR" said Jane with sneering
smile, as she sidled up to the covering
woman's side.
The train came putting up to the sta
tion.
Archer stared at the white face before
him for one full moment; his skin had
blanched to a sickly hue; and Jane, her
self, tremDled as she saw that dreadful
scowl deepening upon his features. She
draw poor Lucy-it was, indeed, his
former toy that Archer had married that
night-Out of the reach of that furious
anger 1t was too late. With a ter
rible curse, he drove his great fist full
into the face OF the girl he had so deeply
injured, and she sank, without murmur,
to his feet There was slam OF door, a
whistle a1d a rumble, and he was gone.
He fled, base coward that he was, from
the creature he had stricken with death
blow in his brutal passion
This, then, was Violet Medring's sweet
revenge!
Poor Lucy was carried back to Mrs.
Campbell's For weeks and weeks her
life hung in the balance, but Violet's ten
der nursing wooed her at length back to
a hateful existence. She never recovered
her former health, however, and her mind
was greatly shattered by that cruel
stroke. She bore her burden patiently
for little over year, and one evening
as the sun was slowly sinking behind the
blossoming orchard, at the old homestead,
she sank sweetly to rest in her lettering
old mothers arms, breathing out, wit
her last sigh, word of forgiveness for
the man who had ruined her young life.
They dug grave beside that of her
fathers, who had died few months be
fore, and into it were lowered the remains
of John AIcher's deserted wife.
Violet ultimately married George
Steele, the lawyers son, and at the de-
cease of old Mrs. King she brought NJ
Lucy's boy with her own children. As
to John Archer, how he lived and how he
died, was never known.