The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-08-01

exclaimed, angrily: GLOW dare you In
sult my wife, sir"
"This strong language had the desired
effect, and the man seemed to shrink
into himself, and became as quiet as
lamb. suppose believing me to be the
wife of somebody else shattered his
hopes"
Here again the rare, sweet smile lent
new charm to Louise's face.
"Try as 1 might" she continued, 81
could not prevail upon him to take back
his watch, and at the next station the gen.
tleman who called me his wife gave my
admirer, with b watch, into the hands
of policeman as mad. That was the last
we ever saw of him, but we heard later
that he was Pole and incurably insane.
The old lady in the coupe with US looked
inquiringly at my rescuer, who laughed
and murmured something I did not
understand. I thanked him as l de.
scended at my destination, never dream
ing that he was to cross my path again.
Some weeks ago, one afternoon, my
uncle called me from mending Tommys
stockings, and told me friend wished
to see me in the drawing room. l, who
had no friends, was much surprised. Nor
did this surprise lessen when was pre-
scnted to the man who had silenced the
crazy Pole that day in the train. His name
was Mitchell, and he turned out to be
an old friend of my unce's. 'Rich as
Crpsus and bachelor, my uncle said to
me, with knowing wink when our WIS.,
itor had departed.
81 took great dislike to Mr.. Mitchell:
in manner and appearance he was most
repu ynaut to me. But thought very
little about him one way or another
why should l interest myself in man
older than my father2-until, week
later, Uncle Thomas informed me that
Mr.. Mit:hcll wished to marry me-"
"Preposterous, exclaimed Owen.
81 don't often laugh in the presence
of Uncle Thomas, but when he told me
this 1 laughed heartily. This made my
uncle very angry. Why should make
game of the offer of man of whom I
might be proud2 ], who might be in
the workhouse if it we're not for the
charity of my relations"
"The brutel"
eff was 80 silly as not to know on
which side my bread was buttered-it
was often difficult to tell-he would turn
me out of doors, and that perhaps would
bring me to my senses. But why need l
tell you the particulars of this and many
another painful scene? Twas silent and
undecided for while, and at last found
courage to tell Mr. Mitchell that could
not marry him.
'sHe listened with disagreeable smile,
and replied: My young lady will not
find refusal so e,sy as she thinks.'"
"Owing to the rusty conduct on the
part of your am!able uncle" interpolated
Owen.
81 believed this was his meaning until
the next day. Then my aunt informed
me calmly that I was already married to
Mr. Mitchell"
''Is that good lady sub ect to such fits
of mental alteration :"
II stared at her in amazement when
she pro. eeded to explain to me that, ac-
cordng to Scotch law, if man in the
his wife, and size does not deny it, it be-
comes legal marriage. There was
witness in the train that day-the old
lady T mentioncd-Mr. Mitchell is
Scotch, and was determined to have his
rights.
II could not believe aunt was in earn
est, but it seems she was, and what is
worse they all beset me every hour in
the day with speeches to the effect that
it is of no use TO try and escape my des-
tiny; Mr.. Mitchell has the law on his
side, and the sooner, for appearance
sake, I consented to another marriage
ceremony in church. the better.
II have asked you to meet me here
this evening, Mr.. Stanley, to tell me
truly if there is any ground for their
saying am Mr.. Mitchelrs wife"
1T is the most preposterous, cowardly
lie I ever heard of" exclaimed Owen,
quite boiling over with indignation. "In
some parts Of Scotland, long ago, some
such rubbish as they tell you might be
true; but We are not in Scotland. To
have this rich mans money in the family,
your reprobate of an uncle is trying to
play upon your innocent ignorance,
knowing or believing you had no one to
enighten you. He ought to be exposed
and prosecuted for his villainy."
"Oh, I'm 80 glad and thankful you as
sure me that this dreadful man has no
power over mew said Louise, with a pro-
found sigh of relief.
"You poor little friendless thing" AS
if of its own accord Ovens arm encir-
cled the girls waist, and he tenderly
and reverently kissed her unresisting
lips.
sand now I must fly back to the
house. Dear me! the half hour is long
past"
'sFor heavens sake, don't let them
persuade you to commit any rash folly.
Trust in me-" said Owen, taking another
kiss in farewell.
Arriving at his lodging, he found two
letters awaiting him; one from TraveIs,
q special chum in the old luxurious days,
and the other-he could hardly believe
his eyes-from Uncle Raymond.
He dashed into the perusal of this last
at once, and discovered that, after ayear
and month, his former friend and bene-
factor his fathers only brother, was on
the track of the fellow who had com.
mitted a certain forgery-.a crime of
which Morris Raymond, in hot, sudden
anger, had accused his nephew. Strong
circumstsntlal idence against Owen
was not wanting, and thus, suffering
for the misdeed of another, he was
thrust out for a rough struggle against
the world.
Now, through the merest chance, the
real culprit had been discovered, and
the letter in Owens trembling hand