The Washington critic., 1886-04-10
ON THE BRINK.

rimony between "Adrian Eliot, bach.
elor, of the Parish of st. Mammon's,
and Marjorie Guildford of this parish"
and the bride elect, sitting at home on
those two Sundays, had devoutly
wished that some person would be
obliging enough TO declare some cause
or just impediment why those two per-
sons should not be joined in holy matri-
mony.
Mr.. Eliot was highly desirable from
every point of view and he loved her,
which was the only important point.
The prospect of the future offered her
satisfied her parents perfectly, and sup.
posing that she had to sacrifice her own
inclinations just little to meet their
wishes, why the chances of future hap
piness were so much the greater.
Mr.. Eliot, being very much In love
in quiet way, was very agreeable and
attentive. Marjorie's parents were af-
fectionate, her friends kind; she found
herself at premium generally. But
within few weeks of the time set for
her marriage she found herself in love
with Frank Mowbray.
Marjorie's last Sunday of home and
freedom Mr.. Eliot spent with the
Guildfords as usual. To his annoyance
Frank Mowbray walked in in the after
noon.
Marjorie had not expected him and
felt uneasy at the encounter between
the two men under the circumstances
Frank Mowbray had come up on pur.
pose to get few minutes private
xx,ttk hav w Vvtsnt
vined his intention, and set himself to
thwart 1t. At last, however, as he was
departing Mr.. Mowbray got chance
to slip into her hand note. When
Marjorie went to her room that even
ing she read 1t with great agitation.
She struggled feebly against her feel
ings, but they conquered. AS she
thought of the future. to which she
had pledged herself, feeling of posi-
tive horror seized her. She burst into
. q passion of tears.
AS Mr.. Eliot was walking up the
road toward Marjories home, the next
morning, he saw Marjorie in the dis
tance coming toward him. He him
self was screened from view by the
trees.
She stopped near pillar-box and
drew letter from her pocket. She
looked at 1t moment, gave quick,
nervous gaze around, and, catching
sight of an advancing form among the
trees, she raised trembling hand to
the aperture and hastened indoors,
without q backward glance, and conse
quently all unconscious that her letter
had fallen on the ground, instead Of
slipping down the aperture,
Mr.. Eliot saw it and picked 1t up.
He glanced casually at the address as
he was putting 1t into the box. He
saw on 1t Frank Mowbray, esq.," in
Marjories hand writing.
He tore open the envelope with an
ugly expression, and read;
Dear Frank: Those few lines of yours
have acted on me like magic. have made
up my mind to act as you wish. 1 am
thankful to have been able to come to this
resolution at all costs, for l feel that l
should be happier with you in poverty than
with Adrian Eliot and a million; but am
q sad coward, dear Frank, and don't be-
lieve l should have been able to make up
my mind to run away with you II you had
not got the license and made every arrange
ment without consulting me- l will be at
the church you name tomorrow morning.
II you come tonight as you propose we
must be very careful. Do not attempt to
say word to me in private, and be pre-
pared for my trying to appear much colder
| TO you than usual. Yours with my whole
heart, MARJORIE.
With quivering fingers Mr.. Eliot re-
put 1t in his pocket; then with one
venomous glance at the house across
| the way he turned back In the direction
l of Al Jyn In, ,,np;tinn 10
prevent the all important communica-
ton from reaching its destination, and
If Mowbray did go up in the evening
Marjorie would be cold as ice to him.
He, not having received any answer,
would not be at the church in the morn
ing. He knew Marjorie's high spirit
| we'll enough to be sure that she would
never forgive such humiliation.
He reached the Guildfords just at
dinner time that evening. When they
went into the drawing.room, who
should be sitting there but Frank Now
bray
Mr.. Eliot observed with satisfaction
that he looked pale and worried, and
that his eyes sought Marjorie's inquir-
ingly more than once. She averted
hers persistently. Beyond cold, How
do you do?" she did not say u word to
him all the evening.
| Mowbray was evidently deeply of
Tended, and took his leave early. He
felt very wrctched as he closed the
door behind him. He had no longer a
shadow of hope. Marjories silence
and cold avoidance of him convinced
him that she had not only no intention
of acting as he had entreated, but that
she was offended by the suggestion.
He put his hand into his great.coat
pocket for cigar, but could not find
the case, He took out some papers to
make certain 1t was not there.
He could see the various documents
pretty plainly by the light of street
lamp. Among them was letter ad-
dressed to him in Majories hand
writing. and the seal was broken. lie
cast hasty glance over the other
envelopes. They were addressed to
Adrian Eliot
The maid had given him the wrong
coat.
His heart began to beat thiclly. He
read the letter through, and was mas
ter of the situation in two minutes.
The sudden change from the Ger,
tainty of failure to the certainty OF
success made him giddy, but, collect,
ing his energies, he set himself to re-
fleet on the wisest immediate course OF
action.
The scoundrel Eliot should taste q
littlo of the deceit he nracticed Ht