New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-11-14

IN a chair looking pale and exhausted, anu wiped
the damps from his forehead while his breathing
was very labored and there was feversh glitter
in the restless eyes and red spot in each hollow
cheek.
How very i'll you look said pityingly; let
me give you glass of wine
mo. want nothing he said IN a gasping tone,
there's quite fire enough within me now; l am
being slowly burned up
Have you seen doctor l asked. growing very
nervous.
A doctor he echoed with hooking laugh.
Oh yes have seen doctor. but he can do me no
good 1t is Won who killing me-
'lr I answered family.
Yes he answered since the night You tore the
heart and soul ont Of my body cannot live with
ont you. and won't
I was very much terrified by his wild. excited
Jocks, but replied with great show OF firmness
You talk nonsense, Arnold; why, YOU are married
already.
I did not know at the moment whether 1t was
really so. but there was a vague impression among
the company that such was the case. and it was
upon that authority only that spoke.
How did you know that-you questioned me
when / was under your lnfuencef he retorted
sharply.
. did not, but 1 find it is true. And under-such
circumstances how dare you address me in such
terms exclaimed growing very indignant, per-
haps more in seeming than in reality.
Yes he replied deiectedly. i am married to
woman hate. TO woman ! left at the church
door. / was forced into it by my friends-never
mind why that would not interest you.'
He paused for moment, then laying his trem-
bling fingers upon my arm. he added Alice he had
come to call me by mV Christian name, if any
thing were to happen to her-if she were to die
would You be my wifeP
l started away from him, e1clalming: Don't
talk like that it is too horriblep
But he followed me, and again grasped my arm,
and said Alice. told you Just now that cannot
live without you, and that will not, and swear
before God that if you do not give this promise,
when leave this house | will throw myself over
the bridge into the rver-I swear it,
Men-and women. tOo-sav these things in
moments of strong passion without keeping their
words but | knew that he would keep his. the
mysterious sympathy that had been created be-
tween US told so. told me that If he left me with
that thought in his heart. he would not be living
man within the next hour.
1t was nearly dark, inst between the lights. and
his face cleaned on; of the shadows white and ter
rbe, and then ! thought how it would look when
il was drawn out of the water with the long dank
hair clngng about it,
Ii IS not muCn 10 OF you, ne Weub Oh plcdu-
ingly. Why she may outlve us both; more tLan
likely there is nothing shocking in tshe is moth
ing to me, never has been. only the mockery of a
ceremony links u.s.
.But what is the use of such pledge, what salts
faction can it be to you ? said, still with my face
covered for dreaded TO meet his eyes.
1 don't know he answered. it would give me
sort of hope that can't live without, that l won't
live without.
Well. gave him the promise. l daresay you will
consider it was very wicked of me to do so. think
80 myself But thought it was almost impossible
that I should be ever called upon to fulfil it, and
how could hesitate when mans life seemed to
be at stake
The following morning as seated at break
fast caught sight of Arnold's dark figure passing
my parIor window and the next moment / heard
his now known knock at the street door. put
down the cup of coffee that | had raised halfway
10 my lips while an unaccountable dread stole over
me.
One glance at his countenance as he entered the
room told me that something had happened. He did
not look at me. even exchange greeslng, as he
laid down his hat and took chair.
7 have strange news to tell you. Alice he said
in a voice thick and indistinct with agitation.
For Gods sake don't tell me that
could not complete the utterance OF my fears,
my voice died away in nv throat and with parted
lips and rigid eyes could only await the explana-
ton.
Meantime he had taken from his breast-pocket a
letter. which he rose and offered me. 1t had a
deep black border.
shrank back l would not touch 1t knew it's
contents.
You knew what was going to happen-you have
II,r. Oh me- | py bitterly.
He threw himself upon his knees ut my feet. Il
swear most solemny' he cried. / did not. IL was
very sudden the letter will tell you so heart dis
ease-her friends had scarcely moments warning
There was that IN his tone could not disbeheye,
and when. after a while brought myself 20 read
the fatal letter l found his assertions were there
fully confirmed.
This makes it all the more HORRIBLE cried. for
now feel as though were IN soue way the cause
of her death
Iimplored him TO release me from my promise az
nothing good could come of a marriage contracted
under such auspices. But he only repeated the old
words: | cannot live without you, and WON'T
Ny friend who could perceive how ill-assorted we
were. did all III her power to persuade me to break
with him. Leave the company she said, give no
notice Of your intention and 90 home, or take an
other engagement under another name
But I felt that | could not break vow so
solemnly made. and which fa5e. whether for good
or evil had so suddenly called upon me to fulfil.
No. | am wrong: / did not love him. it was only
a elamour-whether the result of supernatural in
nuence or mere superstition cannot pretend to say
it was a mixture Of dread, repulsiOn. and fasci
nation.
That day two months was our wedding-day.
had striven hard 10 postpone it to a much later
date but he would not give moments peace
until I consented. She my wife only IN
name, he kept urging so what need IS there OF
delay
Althonpb the strange manner Of our wooing was
r,tr,vn 70 everybody. save she friend have be-
.------1 =. --.... t..-u..-a-l.l. fnr tho nnmnanN