St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-05-06
DISENCHANTED.


been here about ten minutes" STAN
mered the man; land if pyou please,
ma'am, he begged that you would go to
him in the library"
us he hurt? Has there been an acct
dent?" cried Helen, turning very pale.
"Oh no, ma'am. Mr.. Claud seems
very well" rejoined Martin.
Then why does he not come to me?"
exclaimed she. 'Adeline, come with
me! l am quite unnerved! Oh, do not
refuse!' added she, as Adeline drew
| back.
They reached the library. and it was
Adeline who opened the door for her
| friend to enter.
One glance explained it all. Claud,
her handsome, distinguished brother,
but now i'll at ease, and surely sorrow
| full, was standing III front of the fire
| place, and, seated in lOunging chair,
was very pert-looking young lady.
! Helen'S eyes strayed from one to the
other, but she did not, could not speak.
''Helen, forgive me for surprising you
like this" said Claud, in a faltering
voice; "but the thing is done. II was
married this morning. Let me present
myI.wife;"
! told?' stammered Helen.
| sight upon seat behind screen almost
at the entrance.
married! You married. Claud, and
to stranger?" murmured Helen, rap
| idly changing color.
YES, married!'' exclaimed the young
lady, now rising from the loungIng
! chair and coming step forward. II
am Mrs. Claud Willoughby; and if |
didn't bring money into the family, at
least''-with shrill little vulgar laugh
lat least | have brought some good
looks! My face is my fortune, as the
old song SayS!"
Helen could not say a word. Yes, it
was true that the girl he had so raShly
welded was pretty enough:
And when she spoke she charmed no more
Their admiration all was DER.
Vulgarity, flippancy were already dis
cernable in Glands bride.
"'Tain't nothing to be so flabber-
gasted at, ma'amn' said the new Mrs.
Willoughby, plucking up spirit of
self-asSertion when she perceived how
far from welcome was her presence to
her husbands sister. MANY a man
has done worse: and | can dress to look
well in any companyp'
Unhappy Gland! What had he done
to bring such bride to such sister?
Regrets, reproaches were, however. I'M
availing now. And so the bride ap-
peared to think, for presently she spoke
again:
"Well, Miss Willoughby, amt you
a-goin' to give us Somethin' to eat after
our long journey? 'Tisn't quite the
way to welcome new-married pair, is
it now? Pm hungry, l can tell you,
and shan't be bit sorry when it's din
ner-time."
Thus apostrophized, Miss Willoughby
rose in her most stately manner, col
lected herself with a mighty effort, and
said, coldly, to her brother:
You must forgive me for feeling al
together so surpriged at this sudden
step that was forgetful of the duties
of hospital ty. Dinner shall be hast
ened. But l must ask you to excuse me
if | dine in my own room with my
made step to leave the apartment.
''Oh, Helen, forgive me!' murmured
Claud, who looked Enthusiastically
wretched.
swell, 1 neverr' exclaimed Mrs.
Claud Willoughby.
Come Adeline!" gasped Helen.
AT this moment the hall-bell rang VIC
lently, and before she could cross the
hall she was confronted by gentleman
whom she recognized as the family So
licitOr-an elderly, gentlemanly person
age, grave, and of an aspect calculated
to inspire confidence.
''Oh, Mr.. James!'' cried Helen, clasp
ing his hand.
less with agitation. the unhappy AIDE
line following and remaining at his
side, she was aware that Claud and his
bride had come out into the hall, and
that the gaze of their legal friend, Mr..
James, was riveted upon the Unmatched
pair.
'My dear Miss Willoughby," said the
lawyer, calmly, "let me speak a word
to your brother alone. You have had
agitation sufficient for one day, as I can
well divine, for l am aware of Mr..
Willoughby's hasty marriage. Let me
persuade you to withdraw"
do not seek to send me away now
that you are here" pleaded Helen.
LET me hear what you have to say to
my unhappy brother.'
mo, no! -afterward-not now! 1t
might give you shocll,' urged Mr..
James.
Nothing else can give me shock
now!" said Helen. in despair.
The kind old lawyer whispered some
thing to her, but she was too much en-
crossed by her own misery to catch the
purport of his hurried words, and now
Claud and his wife advanced.
Before you say word, Mr.. Will
oughby," said the lawyer, addressing
the bridegroom, 81 must ask you if you
heard the serious rumor in the city yes
terday as to the insolvency of Frith'S
banking house? Later in the day those
rumors were increased and-hoW shall
| communicates the rpSt9D
You need not do so, Mr.. James. |
learn the worst from your manner, your
| look-l am a beggar, OF nearly so! That
| is what you are come to tell me-"
Mr.. James preserved a dead silence.
"What!" shrieked the bride, brandish-
ing one arm in the air in her excite
ment. What have l married no
fortune after all? Is that true, say?
! Is that true?"
"Ask Mr.. James. Heaven knows /
/ could not have forseen this!" groaned
| Claud. pale as death.
And you're beggar-a beggar?" re-
peated she trantically, with scOrn.
81 am afraid sop he said, hardly able
to articulate.
you've lost your money!" screamed
she. "Then what right had you to de-
| ceive me? What right had you to marry
me? Eh?-tell me that?'' and the Ell
ragged bride actually snapped her
| fingers in her bridegroom's face.
Claud maintained dispairing silence.
ooh! what a shame?' continued she.
throwing off all pretences in her rage
and veXatiou. "What shame. might
have married that rich widower, old
Mr.. Burton, the brewer, and had my
carriage to ride in! While now
And once more she snapped her plump
| fingers in the face of her husband. Il
| wish [ could have the marriage broken
crimson with passion.
e''YOu regret your marriage with Mr..
Willoughby, madam" said the lawyer,