Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1879-10-09

told Alice that I loved her and had done
so ever since knew the meaning Of the
WORD, and she leaned her darling head
on my shoulder and whispered back the
precious answer that satisfied my hearts
longings.
owe both knew Alice's father too we'll
to hope for bis present sanction to our
union. This was our plan: 1 would 20 :
to the land of gold, then newly discover!
ed, win fortune, and return and claim
the hand of the rich mans daughter when
he would have no right to scorn my suit
as that of mercenary adventurer.
"For two long years I toiled in that
wild, fi'r-off country, as a man only can
toll when he has some cherished erd in
view. I was among the fortunate ones,
and at the end of the period named had
amassed sum beyond my most sangune
hopes. The time had come when need
wait no longer. The days of servitude
were over, and I might now claim the
prize. =.
"Wlth what lmpatience I made the
weary journey homeward. Not line
had passed between Alice and myself. It
was a condition of our compact that we
should hold no communication till the
time came that We might ask. Alice's
father for his approval. The self:im-
posed restriction had been faithfully OBJ
served. did not even write to tell Alice
of my good success. I wished to be
bearer of the good news in person.
AT last I set foot in my native town.
My first greeting, l resolved, should
come from Alice. rather ran than
walked to her house.
"Tell Miss Bond a gentleman wishes
to see her, l said, excitedly, to servant
who answered my hasty hing.
"I fear you cannot see her to-day
was the response.
"'Why note l asked, impatiently.
"Do you not know she is to he mar
ried this morning?" returned the servant.
"Marlied?' l SAID, gasping for breath.
married to whom?''
ITO Mr.. Ellis Wythe.'
"Ellis Wythe! the william! He had
pretended to be my friend, and was the
only confdente Of my love Tor Alice.
"Not we'll knowing what did, stag
gered past the servant and was soon in
the midst of the gay company to whom
MIR. Bond, stiff and stately as usual. was
dong the honors with an air of great sat
isfaction.
1.-THE bridegroom and his attendants
stood in little group by themselves.
A clergyman was in readiness to do his
office. They seemed to be only waiting
for the bride.
| advanced and confronted Ellis Wythe
Heaven knows Whist would have said
or done, for l was IN no reasonable mood.
But at that instant a piercing shrek from
an upper chamber rang through the
house. Alarm overspread the counten-
ance of the guests. There was general
rush for the stairway, and l was borne
along with the others. Through the o. :
en- door Of an apartment we saw the
bridesmaid, who had gone to summon
the bride, kneeling beside PROSTATE
form in white. 1t was that of Alice in
her wedding lobes. The strain upon the
worn, troubled heart had been too great
She was dead.'
"It was not till afterwards that learn
ed the full perfdy Of Ellis Wythe. lie
had pretended to receive intelligence,
through correspondent. of my marriage
and permanent settlement IN California.
Stung by my apparent faithlessncss, Al
lice had yielded to her fathers command,
and consented to marry a man she did
not love. But the poor, crushed heart
rebelled.at last-and broke"
Poor Uncle Andrew! and that was
the reason he bad always remained a
! bachelor.