Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1881-12-22

brown hair which was brushed bacl
into heavy braid that swept the boughl
beside her. And then, in explanation
of the whole, she drew from her poke
letter, ard plsced it in his hands.
Tt was from her father, and he reat
it, the angry blood mounting to his face
and he was slow to anger. too. 1t was 3
harsh letter, saying her aunt, with whom
she was staying, had written word that
Ada had forgotten herself, and giyenh
promise to wed one of the students,
although she knew he had other plans
for her.
He was coming for her at once, and,
as there was no reason for delay she
must prepare to wed her Cousin Carl the
coming Easter tide. ~
'Is your cousin ugly or old 2" Arnold
asked, as quietly as possible.
4 "No he is young, he is handsome, he
is kind-bnt, ah, I do notlove him, and
I never will p
"But you will be obliged to marry
him, Ada" -.
She looked upinto his face-a fright
ened glance.
"There is but one remedy he an
swered, stopping low as he spoke, that
no one in the church mighthear. "Mar-
ry me tonight, and you are free from
him and safe with me-"
She shrank from him, catching her
breath quickly, and then looking back
into his face, alarm upon hers.
''If you love me, Ada" he said. ''you
will marry me tonight, here"
It was growing late the ladies who
had been busy in braiding festoons and
garlands were beginning, with their es-
corts, to disperse. The young rector,
who was Arnold's friend, and also an
especial favorite with Ada's aunt, now
approached the pair-he was to accom-
pany Ada home. Arnold briefly, but
passionately, told him his story. The
rector. Mr.. Ward, was eloquent and
devout, favorite with the congrega-
tion, but sometimes, people said, acting
upon too sudden impulses. He heard
the story and, his own heart sore from
parting with the loved woman he loved
because her father interfered, he said !:
81 viii marry you-it is the only
thing you can do"
|. Ada hesitated. afraid to take the step,
and Arnold tried his powers of persua-
sion, while the rector went to speak to the
old sexton, an iron gray man, who never
spoke to any one, except when ad
dressed. One by one, the people were
going, and at last only the rector, the
sexton. Arnold and Adawe left.
81 VIII marry you,e Ada said, at
length, ssif you will allo v me to go home
with Mr.. Ward as though nothing had
happened. Do not attempt to claim me
until after you have graduated, and
upon my part. I will not tell my father
until you come, except find it neces-
sary to keep me from a second marriage.
/ viii write and tell you whither I go, SO
you may know where ! am always, and
then ! will wait fer you."
To this he consented-Mr. Ward
thought it wisest. too-and, they were
married, the sexton giving the now pale
and anxious bride away, the ring being
an old-fashioned circlet that had been
Arnold's mothers, and was set with two
rubies and pearl.
The ceremony over, Arnold had but a
moment in which to embrace his trem-
bling bride, kiss her cold lips, and
whisper reassuring words into her ear,
when there was rap at the church door.
Ada's aunt had become alarmed at her
absence, the fear Of that s'dreadful stu
dent being in her mind, and had come
to see her safely home.
tthe sound Ada slipped, fainting,
from Arnold's arms, and Mr.. Ward sent
the sexton for restoratives and to open
the door, while he dragged the unwill-
! ing Arnold into the street, bidding him
go home and be man, or he would
spoil all.
This did not prevent him from prowl-
ing about and returning from ssthe dra-
gon's,D as he termed the residence of
;Ada's relative, in the carriage with Mr..
! Ward, who assured him that Ada had
recovered but was SO pale as to excite
the sympathy Of her father, who arrived
during his sisters absence and all
things considered, it was not probable
that he would take her away next day.
So Arnold went to his lodgings, rose
and attended his classes the following
day, getting through them he scarcely
knew how, for he received q message
from Mr.. Ward at noon, saying Mr.
Haven had taken Ada away in an early
morning train.
That was nearly five years ago, and
Arnold had not heard one word from her
since that eyentful night. He searched
for her, quietly, always; he never
doubted her faithfulness and truth. e
Mr.. Ward had since lost favor with
his congregation, and gone across the
continent even Ada's aunt had disap-
peared-there was no clew to his lost
wife remaining. He was growing tired
Of waiting, and never was he SO weary
Of It as on this winter afternoon.
The conductor now came to collect his
ticket; the next station was his last. He
Ionkad nm and saw the sy7,,eaf sLx, -.,a :