Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-08-16


looked inquiringly.
Il hope | am not mistaken, . said Mr.
Cranch I've been told that Mrs
Whitlayton was soon to become Mrs.
Arson Marthen."
Marthen's face blackened, Us he ex-
claimed through tightly closed teeth:
Gentlemen, this is horrible. | never
knew the lady's name until five minutes
ago. Ny villainous dOubIe-you know
all about him Fred-that rascal has
probably made love to her for her mon
ev and persuaded her to marry HIM
What is to be done?"
One gentleman shrugged his should
ers, and the other raised his eyebrows;
Mr.. Cranch finally said:
Il suppose its nobOdy's business; the
lady has been married before; she ought
to be able to choose for herself. p"
''Tll make it my business" Kissed
Marthen, as he turned abruptly and
hurried to his hotel, where he had the
good fortune to find q detective await
ing him and full of news. The scape-
grace Marthen. ne said, had been living
quietly at small clearinghouse, but
his servant, who had not been paid for
so long that he was willing for $40
bill to tell all he knew, suspected q
wedding for his master had ordered 2
dress suit.
Marthen almost lost his head in his
rage, but the detective rapidly laid a
plan to cntrap the rascal. He would
hire the negro to steal his master s
overcoat and hat, which he, the detec-
tive, would put on and then call upon
the minister, just after dark, with the
hope of successfully assuming the man
ner and appearance of the rogue and
wcrming himself into the secret Mar
then approved the plan in general, but
insisted upon one change; he would
wear the coat and hat himself The de-
tective consented, for, after all, money
was what he was working for. and he
was being we'll paid for his services.
The negro was again br.bed, and he
not only stole the overcoat and hat, but
named the hour at which his master
had told him he would 90 out. Then
the faithful servant led Marthen to the
sickly minister's clearinghouse, while
the detective prevented the other Mar
then escaping. Marthen, the engineer,
scarcely knew what to do; he paced the
sidewalk opposite the designated gar
den; he saw figures occasionally enter
and emerge, but none that he could rec
ognize.
Suddenly, however, just after two
plainly-dressed women had passed in, q
thin figure crossed the street and whis-
pered:
''She is there
Marthen followed the preacher, Won
dering in what words to break gently
to Mrs. Whitlayton the intelligence that
the man she had promised to marry was
q worthless scamp, but before he could
say anything the lady was leaning on
his arm, and the minister was saving:
LAS night air-ahem-is very dan
gerOus to my lungs -ahem-I know you
will excuse me for losing no time. An
son Marthen do you take this woman to
be your welded wife,"
Marthcn was SO aStOnished that he
could scarcely maintain his position or
find his tongue. He recovered, howev-
er, as Mrs. Whitlayton pressed closer to
his side and whispered:
''Speak-quick-i YOU love me!''
81 do" said Marthen, softly, yet
earnestly.
Yes" whispered the lady
''Ihen," said the minister, 81 pro-
nounce you man and wife, and what
God has joined together let no man put
asunder. Mr.. Marthen. [ will have the
certificate ready in the morning, if you
will send for it.
"Come away at once" whispered the
hr f,,1
wrote me about should see YOU, what
would happen?"
Marthen talked little but thought rap
idly as he drew his wife away and rap
idly along. At the first, secluded spot
he reached. however, he placed his
arms around her, with one hand ready
to place over her mouth should she at
tempt to shrek, and rapidly explained
himself AS he had already discovered.
Mrs. Whitlayton was not smart She
was SO dazed by all she heard that she
knew nothing but that she had been le-
gally married to q man whom she had
never seen but twelve hours before, but
whom she had then determined was
very much of a gentleman. What could
she do in her delicate position but act
according to his advice, which was that
they should take the night train for
New York and 90 to her new husband
home and his mother? Sothey did, and
when they reached there, and the son
had explained to his mother, the bride
confided to her mother-in-law that it
seemed she had known her husband for
a year.
And the Arson Marthen who remain
ed bachelor recovered his hat and
overcoat without recourse to law.-The
Hour.
The New Nicksls not a Standard Weight
FOR Maoouro