The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1880-10-10

is ONLY one womau-Dorothy Fendall. Marry
her will-at least you shall not You know
me; have never yielded TO any human being
yet"
"Wcll," said Arthur with a forced smile,
T" IL you Insist upon acting the part Of
crazy man, Dick, can't prevent 1t. | have
told you that Dorothy Fendall is my ALL
auced wife. Ii she chooses to break our
engagement she can do so, but shall never
do IT,"
Dick could have thrct,led him as he stood
there calmly obstinate, hut with mighty
effort he restrained himself.
" You'll regret your refusal, Arthur" he
said, In threatening voice.
Neverl" replied Arthur, and fastening
from the room he ordered his horse and rode
over to Dorothy's to acquaint her with what
had happened.
I'VE must lie married as soon "a possible,
darling" he exclaimed, after he had hastily
narrated the interview between Dick and
himself.
"Arthur,' she murmured, terribly agitated,
" Your brother is cherishing some terrible
revenge. Why can't we 60 away somewhere
beyond his reach 2"
"Whati stink away from him. Doro-
thy"
"At least, then, don't let him know any
thing of our purpose until just before y
here she paused, blushing with embarrass-
ment--until Just before our wedding"
"I think that would be only prudent"
hc said, after n moments reflection. In
the meantime perhaps we can win him away
from his insane purpose"
And so IL was agreed that they should be
married on q certain day about two weeks
distant, in the guetcst manner.
When their purpose, however, was an
nounced TO MIR. Fendall 1t met with the most
strenuous opposition.
"My daughter must be married in the
proper way" he insisted, "or not ALL"
The "proper way" in his judgment, was
a brilliant display, with many bridesmaids,
flowers, lights, etc.
But when he was informed of Richard 8
threat, the old gentleman, who was rather
timid, yielded without more ado. A sudden
change in Dicks conduct, however, which
occurred Immediately after his interview
with Arthur, seemed to render their precau-
tions useless. He visited Dorothy now and
then, hut did not urge his suit. On the con-
trary he accepted the situation with apparent
good will and even gave himself the airs OF
a prospective brother-in-law. Dorothy was
delighted.
eve are safe, Arthur" she said, one
day. "Don't you think we might tell
Dick about the wedding now 2"
But Arthur, while he hoped for the best,
could not drive away a presentiment of evil.
~ think we had better wait little
longer" he replied. Somehow I like
Dicks extraordinary amiability less than his
violence. The worst explosion of his temper
1 ever saw was preceded by just this sort o,
conduct
"Don't tell him then!' said Dorothy,
turning pale.
1t lacked only five days of the day set foI
the wedding, when one morning Dick in
formed his brother that he meant to give All
entertainment in honor of Dorothy and him
self. Arthur was puzzled by this freak, but
thanked him warmly, and the invitations
We're at once sent ont.
On the evening appointed the old hall was
decorated with festoons of evergreens and
flowers and was brilliantly illuminated
The immense parlor, with its faded paintings
and its Anticipated, ricketty furniture, was
but n phantom of itself in younger days,
when often, night after night, 1t was
thronged with powdered danes and gentle
men in silk and ruflles. 1t reminded one,
in fact, of supcrannuated bean, who can
not resist the temptation to come forward
once more before his final exit in all lis
faded tinery.
The company was gay one and the even
ing was spent in lively dances and merry
games. Dick Catherwood appeared to have
undergone transformation. Never befor,
had he been known to be so gay, so amiable
"lf he were always as he is now Ii,
wouldn't be so bad" was the general yer
diet, especially among the ladies'. He seemed
indeed, to be cXerting himself to the utmos
| to remove the sinister impressions of hi
former life. Hither and thither he hurried
among his guests, seeking to do the agree
able to one and all. His eyes sparkled; hi
face showed traces of color for the first TIM
in years. Only once or twice did he approach
Dorothy Fendall, and then il was with al
| afrectation of fraternal interest. Doroth,
was Overjoyed, hut had she seen the cover
glances which he threw at her now and then
as she and Arthur stood apart conversinI
| gayly, her pleasure would have speedil,
changed to terror. To see her thus gazing
| into Arthur's eyes with frank affection, I,
watch them as they laughed and clatted, t
feel that Arthur had won the right TO talk
that dainty hand, to press those tempting
| lips-all this was torture for Dick. Ii
| almost grOaned aloud with stiiled passion.
while in this mood he was called upon Il
| form quadrille and selected rs his compan
| DIN Miss Salisbury, n cousin of DOrothy's. Al
| they stood side by side in the set Miss Sails
bury, who was great gossip, began to tall
with good deal of volubility. Dick listened
| as best he conld and occasionally replied il
monOsyllablcs. Suddenly his partner OK
claimed:
| Look there at Arthur and Dorothy
What n handsome couple they'll make"
| Dick looked up mechanically.
IT'S great pity that their wedding
going to be so quiet. though"
Being a cousin of DOrotly's Miss Salisbury
had been invited to the wedding, with tn
strict injunction not to mention the matte
to anybody. 1t did not occur to her, how
ever, that there was the least harm in talk
| ing freely about It with Arthur's brother
So she went OH gayy:
And then to be married SO early in tn
morning, too! And to go straight of in tn
steamer without q reception or anything"
Dick was transfxed by the revelation d
tho unconscious chatterbox. So they wer
going to DO married on certain day; thei
arrangements had all been made; peopl
had even been invited, yet he had beel
kept entirely in the dark For n momen
his head swan; he feared no was going 4
fall. lie managed, however, to get through
the dance and to lead his partner to n seat
Muttering some excuse he left her and has
tened in search of Arthur, whom he fonn,
still talking with Dorothy.
"Come," said he, in a hoarse whisper
must see you alone"
Arthur followed him at once to an unoccu
pied corner of tho room. When Dicl
turned to face him, Arthur saw for the hrs
time that his eyes were blood-shot, his com
plexiOn livid.
$50 you've fixed the day for-for you
marriage :" he said, in low but bite
tone.
Arthur changed color, but looked hi
brother steadily in the eye.
"ies, Dick" he said. eve shall h
married on Wednesday next"
Dick controlled himself will, an eAor
which distorted his face.
Every WE'LL" he said, in husky tone
But think you might have given me
little more notice. Yon must alter you
programme, though, so as to permit me to b
your bcst man, or people will talk"
"Thank you, Dick l' exclaimed Arthur
delighted that he took it so we'll, and graspe
his hand, which he found was cold as Ice.