The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1886-04-23

any time before justice, ana swear
that on the night of December oath,
49,, you were, to the best of your be-
lief, legally married to the lady whom
we shall for convenience call Mary
Marston. And in return you are to re-
ceive the sum of one thousand pounds;
and you are never, on any account, to
mention what has transpired tonight
until you are called to do so by some
one. who shall bring you the other half
of this ring;;" and he placed in my hand
the broken half of a chased gold ring.
bowed. Indeed, if l had felt any
misgivings touching the strangeness OF
this proceeding, was too much under
the spell of my mysterious surroundings
to draw back.
''Let the ceremony proceed" said the
man who acted as spokesman; and out
from the drapery which covered the
windows issued a clergyman with his
face hidden in cowl, and arraycd in
the full robes of his order.
The woman to whom l was to be mar
ried advanced step ut his bidding and
laid her hand in mine. Heavens! what
a thrill ran through me at the touch! |
closely clasped the soft, warm white
hand, and forgot that had ever known
false base woman by the name of Ag-
mes. Her hand tremblcd little, bat the
touch on mine was firm. | felt that she
was doing what she did willingly.
The ceremony proceeded.
At the solemn words, Il. Arthur, take
thee, Mary l started. How did these
people know my name? How did they
know that | was called Arthur Daven-
portP
1t was over. had signed the register
presented TO me, | had kissed the hand
of the woman who was my wife, and
my two companions, who had brought
me thither, were alone with me-
''Your part of the business is accom-
plished," said the man who acted rs
spokesman. 1--WE will do our part"
He handed me package, and babe
me examine it. did So and found ten
UNDERGROUND notes.
1--WE will take you home now" he
said; and in the same quiet and mys-
terious manner was conducted out of
the house, into carriage, and driven
away.
They left me just where they had found
me, on the river-bank, and without an
swering single question put 10 them,
they vanished away in the darkness.
The first faint streak of the breaking
day shot up in the eastern sky as /
stood there lost in wonder. The whole
thing was like nightmare. Indeed,
should have been inclined to look upon
it as only dream, had it not been for
the package of notes in my breast-pock-
ct That, at least, was Il reality, and u
very agreeable one.
went back to my lodgings with q
new sense of Importance. Life was
worth living. After all, there is moth
ing makes man more satisfied with
his lot than plenty of ready money.
resolved to begin anew. l kept my
resolution. When editors found that
could live without them, they were ready
to buy my productions at my own price.
My style became the style. L had all
the work could do. l wrote a success
full book, and speedily the time came
when / was welcomed in the very high
est circles, and smiled on by managing
mothers who would have set the dogs
on me year before if l had admired
their Angelinas and Seraphinas.
But no longer cared for the smiles of
women. Ridiculous as it may seem, L
was in love with my unknown wife.
The word MARY" held for me all that
this world could offer of the sweetness
of love.
In vain l sought to trace her-in vain
spent all my leisure time in wander
ing around the country, trying to iden-
tify some old mansion as the one which
had been the scene of my midnight
bridal.
At length, one day l took passage on
an excursion boat bound for one of the
many places of interest on the river. l
had half-a-dozen friends with me, bound
for just days outing.
How it happened nobody could tell
nobody ever can tell how these dreadful
accidents do happen-but four or five
miles out, our boat collided with an
other boat, and the usual scene of terror
and confusion followed.
The boats were unfit for use, and if
they had been in order, nobody would
have been cool enough to launch them,
and after few moments of widest dis
may, it was evident that our boat must
60 down.
And while men were rushing hither
and thither for the women of their par
ty, and women and children were
screaming in mortal terror, the boat
settled to the waters edge, and /, being
an expert swimmer, decided to take to
the water and make for the shore. AS
threw off my coat and boots my eye fell
on solitary girl standing close by,
evidently all alone. / spoke to her.
Madame, have you any friends on
boardp"
mo, / am alone" she said, in the
sweetest voice had ever heard. my
friends went yesterday. was to join
them there to-day"
/ thought she looked at me strangely,
that she blushed and trembled as she
spoke, but it was no time for critical
analysis.
''Will you trust yourself to me? am
good swimmer; if we both keep cool,
/ can easily swim with you to yonder
shore"
She replied by putting her hand in
rnina A eapsa of eonathinp sweptly