Connecticut western news., 1882-10-11

to her when he was gone. Heretofore John had protected her; but now she suddenly realized that she might nc longer lean upon him.
 So when Alex left her, he carried with him her promise that the following Sun. day should hear read their bans; but oi John neither had spoken. Neither did she see him in the three weeks, at the end of which was set her wedding day. Absorbed in her new joy, she found scarcely time to wonder at this; but on l the eve before her marriage was to take place, she sent for him, but shrank away, afraid, when, in answer to her summons, he came into her presence, and she saw the awful change this little time had wrought in him. Y
 Timidly she held out to him her hands; but the only words she could command, in sight of the dumb agony written on his face, were plea for par don.
 sForgive me, John P she mur- mured.
 But he laughed harsh, shrill laugh, as he replied:
 ssFor what You have done me no wrong, for you'll never be wife to Alex Winston. He's light O love l"
 And with these cruel words he left her.
 She was foolish, she told herself, to give them an instant's weight. Would not Alex, brave and happy, prove them false on the tomorrow Tonight she would not see him. He was giving a supper in the town-perhaps at that very minute was lifting his glass to his lips with a toast for her.
 Still, spite of her faith, her heart felt heavy. The night was long, and she greeted eagerly the morning light as it came through her windows.
 Several of her companions came in to asslst at the wonderful toilet. She was almost pretty when all was completed, and she sat with faint rose-fush on her cheek, listening for her lover's step.
 Surely he would not be late, she thought, as the hands of the clock moved with strange rapidity toward the hour.
 It struck at last, but Alex had not come. The rose flush faded, and she grew very pale, but her friends laughed at her fears, until by-and-by their laughter died, and an ominous silence fell upon the little group.
 Another hour went by, and then the door of the little cottage opened, but only the good priest stood upon the threshold he who had held Marjorie in his arms and baptized her, an infant.
 He made motion that he should be left alone with her, and then all knew that something terrible had happened yes, something terrible, indeedl
 Just in what words he told her, they could not know, but the secret could not be kept secret long.
 In the darkness of the night, Alex Winston had weighed anchor and sailed away to sea, deserting his bride, while the first faint dawn of his wedding day was in the east.
 How would Marjorie hear it? they asked, one of the other, but none of the lines laid down for her did she follow.
 She simply ceased to live, and began to erist. She ate, drank and slept, per haps, but did all things as in a dream :; but neUer did the name of Alex pass her lips.
 When others spoke of him she listened silently. No one ever saw her weep no one ever heard her moan. She seemed marble statue, possessed of life in it's essence but not in it's soul.
 A year passed, and all things were unchanged. No tidings had ever reached the little village of the recreant lover, and the romance was almost for gotten.
 It was the anniversary of her we'd ding day, and Marjorie sat alone, when a knock sounded on the cottage door. She rose and opened it.
 John Harwood stood upon the thresh. old. It was his first visit since the ut terance of his fatal prophecy.
 "Let me come in, Marjorie p he pleaded. "My hearts starving, but didn't dare come, for fear lest you'd blame me that my words came true"
 Silently she held open the door, and he passed in and took 8 chair.
 Haven't you forgotten him yet ?' he asked, and there was almost fierce ness in his tone.
 Hush p she answered. "We will talk of other things"
 "Of ourselves, my girl, maybe. Oh, Marjorie, don't let all the folks see as you're wearing the willow yet for a man that deserted you-that maybe had another wife beyond the seas Haven't I proved my love and my faith, and won't you give it its reward at last i I'll never rest till you're my wife. Oh, Marjorie, don't deny me-"
 Would you marry 8 corpse" she said, slowly, after minutes pause "And what's body without heart ol soul but corpseP No, John-I'd only make you more miserable. Besides there is some mystery behind all this and one day shall find it out"
 GA mystery? Nonsense, girl ]" h' answered, roughly. "You make the mys tery, like all silly women. Be sensible and show the world that Alex Winston has not blighted your life. I'll try tt make you happy--indeed will, m. little girl !"
 But his pleading was in vain. Tn