The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1886-05-06

son OF the clergyman who performed
the marriage ceremony, and who came
from England to this country, where he
is now in good business.
On the evening of dark and lowery
day In late autumn, close carriage was
driven to the door of an inn in manufac-
turing town of Derbyshire, from which a
female alighted closely cloaked and veil
ed. She seemed to know that the land.
lord was kindhearted man, and one to
be trusted. She called him aside, and
said, without raising her veil, but in a
voice OF rare sweetness, and evidently
that of young person:
l must trust you, good sir, with more,
perhaps, than lite. wish you to serve
me without asking question. can
give you my word, in the outset, that no
harm can come to you on my account in
any legal way. l must be married. |
must be wife within this hour AMI YOU
must find me husband only ask that
you will find man who can legally take
a wife :; man not a rascal; and man
who will take three hundred pounds and
give his solemn pledge never to seek me-
nor to speak to me after the final word OF
the marriage ceremony shall have been
pronounced. If you can find such man.
and bring him hither, and then bring a
willing clergyman, you will do me great
favor"
But the license, madam -
Il am provided. | have a special H.
cense, wanting only the name of the bride
groom"
1t took the host some little time "a
make up his mind that the lady was in
earnest, and that all else was right so far
as the law was concerned When he was
satisfied upon these points he nodded and
pleasantly smiled. Just the man required
was in his employ. He went out into the
stables, where he found Mark Conrov at
work over favorite horse. Mark was a
splendid specimen Of physical and mental
manhood. Nearly six feet tall, perfectly
proportioned, with features regular and
handsome, an eye like a we'll of light, and
clustering mass of nut-brown curls set
ting off his shapely head, he was such a
man as might win the love and esteem of
any woman ; and the only reason why he
had not married or courted any one of
the many damsels who sought to attract
horses engrossed his whole heart.
Mark heard, the landlords story, and
went with him into the private apartment
where the lady was, determined to have
the request from her own lips; and she
made it, though when she had seen him,
standing so proud before her, she faltered
considerably. But she got through with
it, claiming from him the pledge before
mentioned. While she spoke he tried
by every means in his power to gain a
glimpse of her face, but in vain. Yet he
did not miss her voice 1t was very
sweet in his ear. He loved music, and he
did not think he should ever forget the
rich, pure tones of that voice 1t was to
him an index to her character. Never a
coarse woman with such breathing of mu-
sic.
"My dear lady," he said, with a re-
spectacle inclination of the head, 81 will
accept the money which you offer, be-
cause | think can make good use of it.
Ordinarily | would not listen for a mo-
ment, but now three hundred pounds may
be the weight in the balance that shall
make my whole future and, added to this,
| may serve you. Not for a hundred
times three hundred pounds would | lend
myself to plot that could work harm to
yourself"
1t will save me, sir O. it will save
me-"
"Then am ready"
And-I have your PROMISE
81 have given my word. 1t was never
yet broken, and | do not think that to
your harm | shall now make my first
false step"
Somehow the lady seemed to be more
shy than she had been at first, and once or
twice she moved away from Mark, as
though she was afraid of him, and crouch
ed nearer to the landlord.
Near at hand lived an accommodating
rector. He came in, fully understanding
the work he was to do, and after a few
whispered words with the lady he signi-
fed his readiness to proceed. The name
of Mark Conroy was filled into the license
after which the work was quickly done.
"Must l sign the register 2" the newly
made wife asked, uneasily.
The clergyman insisted upon it. The
law required it.
Mark signed his name in bold, strong
round hand. Then the lady took the pen
and tremblingly wrote a name saying:
"That is not the name by which | am
known, but have sacred right to it,
She had written" Cordelia Temple
She gave to the rector FIVE pounds
to the host five more and then she count.
ed out six crisp, new fifty pound notes tc
her husband Mark took them, and pu,
them into his pocket, and then he drew
from his purse half sovereign gold, and
laying it upon the post of a big oaker
chair, he placed the edge of his pocket
knife upon it, and with single blow of a
billet Of wood he cut it into two equaI
parts, one of which he handed to his wife
LADY" he said, 81 need not tell you
that this, to me, is, and must ever be
while live, a serious matter. Do moi
tremble. You have my word. But will
you not take this bit of gold and keep il
in remembrance of the man whose name
you can wear when you will, and who
must henceforth be true to you?"
She caught the piece Of gold with 8
spasmodic clutch, and turned away, as
though to hide emotion which she did
not care to have Witnessed.
One step and Mark Conroy was by hel
side. He took her hand, and raised it to