Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1880-07-22
WOODBURY., n J., THURSDAY JULY o. $780,

"Oh, for the love of God," I cry,
"get me out of this! To-day is my
wedding day. This is a cruel mistake I
| will give you hundred rubles if you
let me out. will leave you my watch
in pledge. You have only to open the
hall door. Think of 1.-THE poor girl
that was to have married is"
He did not even wait to hear me. He
looked alarmed and hurried out, leav-
ing me to rave alone.
In vain. / knew the time was past
the hour was gone. / could picture the
surmises and whisperings of the guests,
the rage-tne livid rage of the father,
the mute anguish of my poor little girl.
They were disrobing her, perhaps,
this very moment, laying aside the
pretty dress and filmy veil, to be worn
again -ah, whenP Did she faint, or cry,
or lay there dumb with anguish, won
deredP Would her heart say kind
word for me when others were traduc-
ing meP Oh, pure and trusting heart,
l have never valued you Alright, and
now / am punished for it.!
After that grew calmer. There was
no more hope, and SO the quiet of des-
pair came to me, and / sat dumbly
watching the fading of the bar of sun
shine till it looked like faint golden
mist, and then went out in darkness.
Another night had come, and slept
from sheer exhaustion.
/ was awakened the next morning by
familiar voice.
are! No erd of a row yesterday.
Couldn't find clew to you or the dia-
monds, or the lady so fair, fair, with
golden hair All, my boy, you are too
susceptible! But l found the card with
her name this morning. You dropped
it on the floor. and it got showed out of
sight. I followed it up, and it's all
right. The prison-doors unbar. Ri-tu-
ri-ru, the captive breaks his chains"
The keeper was regarding Alexis with
a suspicious air, as if, instead of
freeing any one, he fancied he should
have another patient. That young gen.
tleman always took liberties with me
on account of his relationship to Shove
loft, but i never enjoyed them till this
morning. l seized his hand as if it had
been my dearest friend. l thanked him
with effusion.
The doctor did not appear. HeTre-
turned my valuables. but kept himself
out of the way. Confusion at his mis-
take had perhaps overcome him.
l reached the store to meet the united
wrath of the partners. When / in
formed them that the diamonds were
gone, was at once dismissed from their
employ. My offense was in permitting
the case of jewels to go out of my hands.
had been betrayed into this by the
glamour of pair of bright eyes. II went
home disconsolately enough to find a
note in my room from old Schroeder.
SIR-Your infamous conduct de-
serves punishment that my hands are
itching to give you, but cannot leave
my poor heartbroken child. l have
been to your place of business, and heard
the story of your elopment with vile
adventures, and robbery of your en-
ployers' diamonds immensely valuable.
am thankful my child has escaped you
thank God your depraved taste made
you unfaithful to her, and / know she
will see the truth in time. l am going
to take her away at once from the place
you have made hateful to her. 1t would
be best for you never to cross my path
again. ANTON SCHROEDER"
So all my plans had toppled down like
child's cardhouse, and / sat despairing
among the ruins.