Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1884-10-01
downright shame to trifle with such seri-

such a highly-improper proceeding, but
Carlson's intense eyes were upon Mar.
garet's face, and his voice said: "You
and I have lived for fun all our lives E;
let us now be married for fun"
The very demon of recklessness took
possession of Miss Thurston's spirit. If
Charlson had asked her there, before
them all, to marry him for love, she
would have turned away, shocked and
| grieved- for fun; yes, she would
| dare as much as he and she Immediately
stepped to Carlson's side, remarkimg,
in laughing tone: Eyes, Mr.. Carlson,
will marry you for fun"
"Margie, this cannot go on. What
will your father say and feel?" and her
cousin stormed up and down before the
tents, appealing first to one and then to
the other, but all to no avail. At this
moment the minister, whom Mr.. Carlson
had secured, stepped out of his tent,
and the young couple took the places
which had been prepared for them when
a mock ceremony had been in view.
A silence fell over the little group as
the solemn words of the beautiful
Episcopal service fell upon their ears
Then rang out the responses: From
the bride, low and defiant; from the
groom, clear and determined,
'"That ye may so live together in this
life that in the world to come ye may
have life everlasting" Margaret never
forgot those words. In coming days
she repeated them over and over to her
self until she almost prayed to have
them blotted out from her memory.
By the time the ceremony was
finished the audience had concluded
that the affair had been planned before
hand in secret, and that they were the
dupes of the joke. Accordingly, never
was company gayer than theirs that
night, and the merrymaking was con-
tinued into the morning hours.
The camp broke up in day or two,
Mr.. and Mrs. Carlson parting from
their friends in apparently high spirits.
Arrived at their home, where the news
had preceded them, the culprits were
received with real forgiveness, for, I'M
doubtedly, the match was a splendid
one. Judge Thurston's family had
been known and honored in the COM
munity for years; while Mr.. Carlson
was the junior member of large and
wealthy firm dealing in fine imported
goods.
Two weeks passed after their return
in which Arthur saw but little of his
wife. Judge Thurston's summer-resi-
dence was number of miles from the
city, and the gentlemen could only run
down for over Sunday. On these days
the two were as uncomfortable as pos
sible in each others presence and
avoided being left alone altogether.
One quiet Sabbath evening Arthur
came out of the Judges library with a
pale face and set lips. Ascending the
stairs with faltering steps, he sought his
wife's room and knocked at the door.
"Oome in" said a low voice. Entering,
he saw Margaret sitting in a low chair
with her light brown hair falling around
her shoulders in great profusion. He
had never seen her so before, and some
great mental emotion prevented his
noticing the look of glad surprise which
flashed into his wife's face as she per-
ceived who her visitor was. Mr.. Carl
son checked the impetuous words which
rose to his lips, and spoke in voice of
strained GOODNESS. "Margaret," he said,
advancing to her side, II desire few
moments conversation if it will not in
convenience you"
The light died out of the bright face
at these seemingly cold words.
"You have occupied my time so little
of late that 1 can give you q few mo-
ments without great Inconvenience she
replied, without rising. "You and I
have made great mistake, Margie, her
husband continued sadly. II take my
due share of the blame; but even I
would never dare do this if I had no
thought no matter what thought.
We were married for fun, of course, and
now we do not find it so much fun as
we anticipated. have been speaking
with your father. He will not hear to q
divorce, nor is there sufficient grounds
for one if we desire it. But he agrees
with me, that you and I cannot live in
this mutual state of unhappiness. I
would give anything if Icould undo the
past, but that Is impossible. It is neces-
sary that one member of our firm live
abroad. 1consider the necessity very
opportune, and shall have all my ar.
rangements completed by next week to
sail for Europe. This is not so hard for
me, for I am man, but for you-God
forgive me for what"
''You mistake, Mr.. Carlson" inter.
rupted his wife Jelly. ut is the easiest
and most appropriate thing that could
be DONE"
Arthur looked down at the figure be-
fore him. The darkness and the wavy
masses of hair hid her face, else he
surely would have seen the white lips
and burning, fearless eyes.
II do not blame you, Margie," he said
gently, but sadly. II only wonder that
you can bear me here at all. crave
your forgiveness, and I pray God that
I may not utterly blight your happy
1ife."
Arthur waited moment as if to hear
one word of farewell, but the figure be-
fore him neither moved nor spoke. Then,
gazing intently at his wife, to imprint
upon his mind picture he never for
got, be turned and left the room.
All night long Margaret sat in the
little, low chair where Arthur had left
her. Only once she stopped to pick up
crushed flower, with which he had
been playing, and pressed it passionate
~ to her lips.
Two years now passed away, and the
following winter found Judge Thurston
and his daughter under the gentle skies
of Florence The Judge was suffering
in health, which, some said, was due to
Margaret's unlucky marriage. How
ever that was, the two were very dear
to each other and rarely seen apart.
Several days after their arrival in
Florence, Margaret met her landlady in
the hall, who, with tray in her hand,
was just coming out Of the room op-
posite. Stopping to enquire if any one
were i'll, the kind but gossipy little
landlady began to tell, in broken Italian,
Of the young foreigner who mad come to
her few weeks before, and who, short
" after, had been taken i'll with q fever,
and now was very i'll indeed. She said
the young man had no friends, and