Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1881-01-21
this house viii throw myselfover the bridge


their words; but Knew that he would keep
his, the myste rious sympathy that had been
created between us told me so, told me that
II he left me with that thought In his heart,
he would not be q living man within the next
hour. spDs ulnigrf ,flH sii IIllI teI
1t was nearly dark, Just between the lights,
and his face cleaned out OF the shadows
white and terrible, and then thought how
IL would look when IL was drawn out OF the
water, with tho long dark hair clinging
about II.
'ft is not much TO ask Of you," he went
OH, plcadingly, "Why, she may outlivo us
both; moro than likely; there is nothing
shocking In it--she is nothing to me, never
has been, only the mockery of a ceremony
links us.v IHe rHf tIf F.
"But what is the use OF such pledge
what satisfaction can It be to youpn said,
still with my face covered, for dreaded to
meet his eyes.
al don't know" he answered, 1T would
give me a sort OF hope that can't live with
out, that won't live without" sI
We'll, l gave him the promise. i dare
say you will consider II was very wicked Of
me to do so. l think so myself. But |
thought 1t was almost impossible thot !
should be ever called upon to fulfill it, and
how could hesitate when mans life SEEM
cd to be Mt stakoy
The following morning, as was seated at
breakfast, | caught sight OF Arnold's dark
figure passing my parlor window, and the
next moment heard his now well-known
knock at the street door. put down the
cup OF coffee that had raised half way to
my lips, while an unaccountable dread stole
over me. "a
One glance at his countenance as he en-
tered the room told me that something had
happened. He did not look at me, nor even
exchange greeting, as he laid down his
hat and took n chair. A
al have strange news TO tell you, Alice,o
he said, In voice thick and indistinct with
agitation. so
"For Gods sake don't tell me that
l could not complete the utterance of my
fears, my voice died away In my throat, and
with parted lips and rigid eyes could only
await the explanation.
Meantime he had taken from his breast
pocket u letter, which he rose and offered
me. 1t had deep black border.
/ shrank back; would not touch 1t; L
knew its contents. ~
"You knew what was going TO happen
you have cruelty entrapped me,' ex-
claimed, bitterly.
Hethrew himself down upon his knees at
my feet. 81 swear most soemnly," he
cried, "G did not. 1t was very sudden, the
letter will tell you so; heart disease-her
friends had scarcely moments warning"
There was that in his tone could not dis
believe, and when, after while, l brought
myself to read the fatal letter, l found his
assertions were there fully confirmed.
cried, "fOr / now feel as though / was In
some way the cause of her death.H
implored him to release me from my
promise, rs nothing good could come OF a
marriage contracted under such auspices.
But he only repeated the old words: 81
can not live without you, and L won't!o 4.
My friend, who could perceive how ill-as-
sorted we were, did all in her power to per-
suade me to break with him. "Leave the
company" she said; "give no notice of your
intention and 60 home, or take another en-
gagement under another name."
Butl felt that could not break n VOW so
soemnly made, and which fate, whether for
good or evil, had SO suddenly called upon me
to fulfill.
No, am wrong; did not love him, 1t
was only u glamour-whether the result OF
supernatural influence or mere superstition
/ cannot pretend to say--it was a mixture OF
dread, repulsion and fascination.
That day two months was our wedding
day. Ihad striyen hard to postpone it to a
much later date, but he would not give me
n moments peace until consented. 'She
was my wife only in name, he kept urging,
$50 what need is there of delay?"
Although the strange manner of our WOO
ing was unknown to everybody, save the
friend have before mentioned, it was i'm
possible for the company not to see how
matters stood between us. But somehow
we had drifted away from the rest, and now
kept aloof from them, and only an occasional
hint, or innuendO, or sly look told us Of their
observation. | know we were the constant
theme of conversation and wonderment, but
do not think that any one ever dreamed 1t
would be Il match.
And we were both equally desirous Of
keeping our approaching marriage pro-
found secret. My friend, and one OF the ac-
tors whom Arnold had almost sworn to
secrecy, were to be the only witnesses, so
that when on that bright March morning we
entered the quiet suburban church, only a
few strange loiterers were there. We were
dressed in our ordinary costume, and no one
who had met us would have suspected our
purposes.
When he passed the ring over my finger
his hand was like ice, so were his lips, that
just touched mine at the end OF the cere-
mony, and saw no Joy in the liyid face; that
was expressionless rs though carved in
stone. ti a W. O.
We walked back from the church to my
lodgings, where We were to be domiciled for
the present. He scarcely spoke the whole
way. He left me mt the door, saying that he
was obliged to go somewhere, but that he
would return in time for dinner, which was
arranged for three o'clock.
/ ran upstairs to my bedroom, my heart
ready TO burst with modification, and had a
good cry. My friend did all she could to
console me, and to put q cheerful face upon
matters, and after while | rallied little,
and went DOWN stairs and sat down to the
piano and played and sang to pass away the
time. 81
Three o'clock came and passed and still he
did not return. Then his friend, who had
remained with us, said he would go in search
of him. r-t-' ,9--
In about half an hour he came back, bring
ing Arnold with with him. lie afterward
told me that he had found him playing
cards, and recklessly treating everybodywho
entered the room at Il tavern used by the
self-control, and / kept myself quite tran
quill. ~. =. .e--
Z 1t had been arranged that we should sup
at my friends lodgings, and thither, after
the performance, for we played that night,
Pwe went. There were only four of us-the
four present at the ceremony Arnold was
dull and siillen, and at times seemed scarcely
conscious of where lie was, for, when ad-
dressed, he would start and look vacantly
about him, like one suddenly aroused from
q dOZe.
1t was two O'Clock in the morning before
pursued his way; and ] was too proud to
speak. but, oh, the agony, the shame. the
humiliation endured that night When
we arrived at our lodgings, the fire was out.
1t was a very chilly night, and he com.
planned Of being cold, and said he should
rekindle 1t. While he went away seeking
some wood In the kitchen ran upstairs to
my room, and went to bed.
At last my aching, swollen eyes closed,
and fell asleep. ,lr p .s.s 900 .zr.,
When j awoke, the cold gray dawn OF the
Spring morning was just stealing across the
darkness OF my room. awoke with n start
and sat bolt upright, with sense of ineffa.
ble horror. Had I been dreaming? Icould
not remember. Yet there was upon me al
the terror which is left by, some ghastly
nightmare. e'i ~
leaned ont of bed, ,huddled dressing.
gown, and with bare feet hurried down til,
| stairs. 1t was an impulse, nothing more
for had no thought In what was doing.
opened the parlor door and looked In. AL
was dark aud silent.
was my reflection. My woman's prid
prompted me to return to my chamber, bu
some other feeling held me rooted TO tn
spot. The chinks of the shutters were pen
ciled with faint lines of light; crossed tn
room, unbarred and threw them open, an,
| looked nm MT the sky. The waning moo