Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1883-10-25

''Do you mean TO tell me that am no
your wife-your lawful wife, Phillip Blake
legally married in the sight of God
speak mouster Is il sol"
Blake shivered as he looked into tho
fierce face of the aroused woman, but
managed to articulate--
"Yesl That is what l mean; you arc
not my wife!'
"Then was betrayed into false mar
riage with your Is il sol'
"Just so exactly. If you don't believe
IT ask Bates, she's an old flame of mine
told her when we came here. Perhaps
that accounts for the very respectful man
ner in which she has treated your
| 1t is impossible to describe the varied
expressions that passed over the mobile
countenance of Barbara as these awful
words which made her an outcast forever.
fell upon her ears horror hate. surprise.
and fear chased themselves one after an
other over the white countenance, and,
Tor full a minute, she stood like figure in
marble gazing at the man who was the
author of her ruin.
Blake paid no attention to her, but con-
tinued his unsteady walk up and down the
| room, until at last he was startled by u
Sudden cry of:
'Oh Tod have mercy upon met" and %
sudden fall to the floor. Turning he be-
held Barbara stretched insensible at his
feet.
At the same instant the door was opened
and Mrs. Bates made her appearance with
wicked smile upon her face.
swell you did it at last, 1 sect"
"Yes-d-n, and l am almost sorry /
did, replied Blake.
"Pshaw! she'll get over it. / suppose
she'll leave the house tomorrow
Blake made no reply, but with NUT
tered curse seized his hat and left the
room.
In little time Barbara recovered from
her swoon, and ordering the woman Bates
from the room, sat down to reflect upon
the situation. The result of her ccgita-
tions was soon apparent. She proceeded
to her chamber, and gathering together
her various belongings, placed them tidi-
ly III her trunk, and doing up few arti-
cles for immediate use laid them upon the
table. She then proceeded to lock all the
1oors leading to her rooms, after which
she threw herself, dressed as she was,
upon the bed, and, strange TO say, soon
sank into q fitful slumber.
1t was plainly Barbara's intention 10
leave the house the following morning.
but where she was to betake herself was
as much puzzle to the unfortunate crea-
tuIe as at present it is TO the very intelli-
gent reader.
When Barbara awoke in the morning.
however she was sick and feverish. and
found it almost impossible to leave her
bed. She managed however to arise and
make herself a cooling draught, but soon
realized that it would he impossible to go
forth for some hours she was so weak and
almost delirious-therefor she returned
to bed and slept again; and il was quito
dark when she awolIe, and feeling great
ly refreshed, she took up her little bundle
and prepared to go forth into the night.
The house was strangely silent, and as
she crept down the dark stairs, she en-
countered no one. She opened the front
door, peered anxiously up and down the
road, and seeing no one went forth closing
the door quietly behind her.
1t was a beautiful moonlight night, and
as she moved over the moonlit country
road she reflected. with heart almost
broken, on the cruel changes the last few
weeks had wroNght in the little world in
which she moved, and into which she had
entered with so much joy and pride.
But now her hopes were shattered and
her future seemed dark and drcary in
deed!
But there was light ahead.