Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-04-02
NO. 80.
Gales ano Skettbts.
fME MOCK MARRIAGE.
BY MAY MAPLE.
Continued from yesterday J

"The parsons herer' said Joe Earnum;
land you'd never think he belonged to
our company" and he rubbed his hands
energetically, while his cold. gray eyes
sparkled with satisfaction.
The bridal party was soon arranged and
the parson was introduced to the compa-
ny, Certainly no one recognized the tacc,
which was framed about with silvery hair
and whiskcrs; kind. fathcrly face it was,
the mild blue eyes having an expression
of deep tenderness.
kneeling before the little group, he Of
fcred up n fervcnt prayer to the all-wisc
Father And so earnest was the petition
that Grace trcmblcd, while the roses upon
her cheeks grew strangely white. Tohcr
all this was a fearful mockery. Again his
dark ewes were upon her, and look. OF
smiling assurance quicted her fears, though
il did not quiet the little monitor within.
that called out earnestly against the sup
posed profanity The marriage service
was very short and simple. closing with
the words: "What God has Joined to-
gether, let no man put asunder." A Sec
ond time was the ceremony repeated, aud
James Bronson and Grace Lewis. Mark
johnson and Margie Riley had c,asped
Immediately were receiving the congrat,i-
lations of their friends with mock gravity.
WELL" said Mark johnson. he
kissed the new-made bride, 1.-THE whole
thing is what | call q splendid piece OF
acting. declare felt as though the old
gentleman was in. real earnest BY the
way, il is about time he dropped his dis
guise and made himself known"
.,Il,t ,,,x, fr;uJe - eusl tka ,xo...,, .stHs.
is no joke, whatever you may have ex-
pected was called upon to marry those
should find standing at the bridal altar.
am an ordinary minister of God, and
what ! have done has been done honestly
and earnestly"
Don't tell me that r' exclaimed Grace.
Don't tell me that am an unsought and
unloved brider' And the frightened girl
fell fainting into the arms Of her husband.
Something over year has passed away
since that eventful party at the Travellers
Rest in the Aourshing town Of Green
vile. II is early Spring. and the blue
violets and swcet-scented arbutus flowers
have blossomed over the grave of Mrs.
Margie Riley johnson for many days.
In n far away city. James Bronson. at
torney, is hurrying down a crowded thor
oughfare, seemingly engaged In pleasant
communion with his own thoughts. How
ever much in haste. his wedding was. It is
evident, by his-handsome face and BEAM
ing eyes, that the honeymoon is not on the
wane, AS far as his happiness is concerned
He carries in his hand delciously fra.
grant bouquet which he has purchased and
arranged for the express admiration OF his
beautiful bride.
With light. quick steps he asccnds the
marble staircase that leads to his wife's
boudoir. at the entrance OF which he has
not the least doubt but that he shall meet
the dearest treasure of his heart.
But. alas this day James Bronson Is TO
meet with the first real grief his manhood
has ever known; for no loved wife meets
him at the door no icwelled fingers clasp
the fragrant blossoms he has arranged
with such exquisite skill, just 10 hear sweet
praises from her lips. Instead there is %
tiny perfumed note on the dressing ease
addressed to himself in her wclI-known.
delicate hand. He opens it hastily and
reads:
DEAR HUSBAND: You will. no doubt
bs surprised. but trust not grieved, when
you read these lines. For more than
year have been trespassing upon your
kind forbearance. thinking each day or
each week it should be the last. But YOU
were so kind to me. and IL loved YOU so
dearly. that it seemed like crushing my
heart to lose sight of you. BY no word
or act OF yours have you given me occa-
sion TO think | was an unlovcd wife.
When You was with me was always hap
py. But when left to myself some evil
genius is constantly haunting me with the
thought that you cannot love me and hal
never thought Of marrying simple,
country maiden till one was Moughtlessly
thrust upon you. You pity me, and that
is why you indulge and caress me. Your
love would make me thousand times
happier, bnt not your pity. So leave
You that may 20 TO some far-Off corner
Of the earth to I've alone, unwept, unhon-
ored and unsung. You understand the
law, and probably know how to have our
marriage ties torn asunder, whenever YOU
may desire it. Always your loving but
unhappy GRACE.
No wonder the face Of the young hus-
band became as white as it would one day
be. when 1t should be u.turned 10 the
gaze Of the curious throng; when nc
breath would pulsate through his ashen
lips.
'.And all this time while / have beer
blissfully happy, she has been tormented
with doubts and fears. And all because
that scoundrel Farnum waited not to give
me time and a fitting opportunity to tell
her that she was more precious to me than
my own life. For her sake only do wish
that could have had the privilege Of
proposing as other men do. Poor, sensi.
tive heart, how it must have suffered.
Bnt where can she have gone, is the qnes.
tion?" And for ten minutes James Bron
son sat in state Of perplexity.
Find her, will!' he 1t length ex.
claimed. What is lite. fortune or fame
without she is with me to share It ?''
The dinner was untasted. After hastily
packing travelling bag with few srti-
cles Of wearing apparel, and giving III
servants some directions, he started 1os
the nearest railway station. He would a
to her fathers old farm house first. Nool
likely she had returned to those who haf
loved and protected her for many yeaxs
And the more he thought Of her. ths uorl
sure was he that he should find her benealI
the old roof tree. =