Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1885-01-30
MiscellamenMs.
THE SECRET MARRIAGE.

belonging 10 one OF the best families,
and related to gentleman high in gov
eminent councils and with national
reputation, while visiting married sis
ter in New York met and fell in love
with young man then connected with
n mercantile house Of that city. She
was but sixteen years old, but very
handsome and highly accomplished. =
She promised to marry the young man,
but kept her attachment and engagement
from her family, as she knew they would
not countenance the choice she had
made Her affianced was poor, and had
nothing to recommend him TO the girl
but his handsome person. He finally
induced her to consent to u secret mar
riage, assuring her that he would put
forth every effort to provide home for
her as soon as possible, when they would
make their marriage known and enjoy
their happiness.
The secret was kept for two years,
the young wife living at home, aud
meeting her husband at her sisters and
other places apparently as mere ac-
quaintance. In 1875, however, il be-
came necessary for the marriage to be
made known, as the young wife was
about to become mother The hus-
band had not yet succeeded in providing
home for his wife, and she knew moth
ing about his family or antecedents.
In the summer of 1877 he visited his
wife at her mothers, and carried to her
the joyous news that he had ut last
established him promisingly, and had
rooms ready to receive her in New York.
A few days later the couple started for
the city. At Paterson the husband told
his wife that he had some business to
transact in that city, and that they would
stop over night there. He engaged
quarters at u hotel. II was the custom
Of himself and wife to drink glass Of
ale together in the evening, and this
evening he ordered two glass sent to
their room. He met the waiter at the
door with it. Thinking Of it afterward,
bis wife remembered that he stood with
his back to her some time after taking
the ale and dismissing the waiter, and
that when he approached her with the
glass his manner was unusual, and that
bis face was pale. She asked him il he
was i'll, but he laughed at the sugges-
ton, and offered her the glass Of ale.
She took it, and, after holding it in her
hand moment, placed il on the table,
saying that she already had headache,
and she feared that the ale would make
it worse il she drank it. She had no
suspicion of anything wrong. but simply
seemed to take dislike to the idea Of
drinking the ale, and her husband could
not induce her to do so. lie finally took
both glasses and poured the contents into
the slop jar. lie then went ou., and
did not come back until late. lilo was
intoxicated.
The next morning the young wife was
the first to arise. 10 moving her hus-
bands clothing from chair vial
dropped from pocket, and rolled on
the floor. She picket it up. 1t was
empty, but the sight Of it recalled her
husbands singular conduct of the even
ing before, and the horrible thought
took possession of her that he had at
tempted TO poison her. She awoko him
at once, and begged him to relieve the
agony Of her mind by denying that there
was any ground for her fears. He was
startled at first, but at last acknowledged
that be had brought her to the hotel TO
poison her and himself at the same time
and told her for the first time that he
was in no business, had no home for
her, and no prospect Of one. lie said
he was tired Of life, but he could not
bear to die and leave her 10 be happy
with some one else. For that reason he
had resolved TO kill her as well as him
self. lie had written letter 10 that
effect, and il was in his coat, addressed
to his brother. Mortified, bis wife found
the letter, tore il open, and read the facts
as her husband had stated. Tho latter
arose, dressed himself, and went out,
leaving his wife half unconscious on the
bed.
Recovering herself after while, she
resolved TO ny. She dressed herself and,
hurryiDg to the railroad station, took the
first train for New York. She reached
her sisters house in the city more dead
than alive. Her child was born that
night, and lived but few hours. She
found that her husband, although Of q
good family. was shiftless and worthless
and had been cast Of by his people. She
had taken with her from tho Paterson
Hotel the letter her husband had written
10 his brother declaring that he intended
TO kill her, and this was most efeetiv,
J testimony in the divorce proceedings
she subsequently instituted. A divorce
was granted her in 1880. and as all thu
I testimony was taken by Feferoe, thu
matter never became public.
A few days ago the heroine Of thu
, unfortunate secret marriage was mar
ried again, this time to gentleman o
wealth and position, and well know