Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1886-06-03
ALOyE STORY.

6rcat mumpington Hotel; the travellers
alighted-among them striking look
ing man in handsome coat. that. with
It, fur cuff and fur collar, gave him
something Of Russian aspect. He
was handsome, elegant and about
thirty years Of age.
z Dinn6 was ready. At the head of
the tatse sat the landlord, who presid-
ed with great afiabIlIty. He spoke 10
one.
There were permanent rs well rs
transient guests In the house. One
lady dressed in light silk, with an
elabnte colffure, had sort Of gala air
about her. "a
"Been to the wedding. Mrs. Crosby?"
he said. '.And did It go Off well? And
was the bride as pretty and the BRIDE
groom as unimpcrtant as usual? A
man is never so entirely overlooked as
at his own wedding, unless, indeed his
mother Is there to wonder why so fine
fellow chose such Q girl.
HE, her' laughed Mrs. Crosby.
awhat man you are for jokes Mr..
Feltonl Well, his mother wasn't there,
Iassure you; for she must be too old to
get about, II she's living. He's eighty,
I'm told. To think Of woman Of
twenty five accepting such an old crea-
ture!n
"But he's rich,' said boniface. "She'll
be rich widow In year or so. One
efour bellies, sir,p he said addressing
the stranger of whom we have spoken.
oMiss Beulah Blair. DR.. Blair's only
daughter, as pretty as the sun shines
on.n
Everyone at the table noticed the
strangers face as this communication
fell on his ear. His ruddy color faded,
his eyes dilated; he sat there with face
~ though smitten with death; for q
moment he did not speak.
Then the blood rushed back to his
face. He lifted the glass at his plate in
the air. "a health to the BRIDE" he
cried, "and long life to the bridegroom"
They drank the toast, one or two Of
them forming the opinion that this fur
coated stranger was some great tragedi-
an, who had resolved to astonish them.
They dispersed away to their own
duties or pleasures when the meal was
over. He ascended to the room to
which his luggage had been carried.
His sudden pallor had been no actors
trick. The blood had forsaken his face
at the bidding ofa terrible emotion.
From distant lands, where he had toll
ed for nine long years to win fame and
fortune, he had returned, crowned with
success, to marry precisely this Beulah
Rlair-this bride Of the old man Of
eighty. She had vowed herself to him,
worn his ring, written him the tenderesl
oflove letters, and Tilted him at last
that is, II those people spoke the truth
he was not one to go away without
making sure there was no mistake
about that. Wrapping himself in hi
fur coat, he stalked out of the house in
to the long village street and took hi
way toward the well known spot-tht
garden gate from which, years before
DIR. Blair had hidden him depart, re
preaching him with his audacity In
oourting his only daughter-he, poo
and young, and without prospects. Blu
she had met him in the woodland they
knew 90 we'll, and vowed fidelity. Wa
this the end of 1t all?
So it seemed. The house. was al
ablaze with light, and approaching tn
long. windows opening on the garden b
saw er-Beulah! his Beulah, he had 9
often called her.
She stood there In her bridal dress
} her rich veil falling TO her feet, shadin
but not concealing, her lovely face AM
hair, and the exquisite outlines Of he
figure.
Returning to the hotel, he wrote
long bitter letter, full of reproaches an
sarcasm, posted it and paid his bill
Before daylight the handsome strange
had left the town behind him. II
sought in travel the peace which n
man ever yet found save in his ow
heart.
He remained away five years. A
the end of that time he returned. n
had left his home-the home to whic
\ he had hoped to return with his brio
just as it had been arranged, merel
locking and barring windowsa and door
There was a letter box at the entrant
and into this number of letters an
papers had been thrust from withou
@ for he had left no address behind hin
Turning these over witha carele
hand he came to one addressed
Beulah's writing. How well he kne
it! She had, then, replied to his lette
With q trembling hand he tore it opt
and read the words:
'sDear Archibald yes, always dear
me had I deserved your reproaches
should not write these words. Th'
told me you were married to q woms
offortune and title-a German countel
I believed them. married whom tn
chose to give me to, I thought my 9
husband kind and worthy. respect
him. Alas! cannot do that al