St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1889-11-02
MARRIED, NOT MATED.
The Sad and Romantic Story Of Ny
Friend Saunders.

The following narrative reached me-
last week, together with q notice o
Harris Saunders death. He was Z
quiet reserved man, and one who
made no new friends. We first me-
eight years ago. while was taking
my first vacation. and at last realizing
my ideal-a perfect cigar and per
feet night on Egypt's Nile.
1t was a very jovial party that went
on board that steamer, and We soon
passed beyond the surface cordially
of fellow travellers Our friendship
strengthened. and as my holiday was
waning. l asked him to return with
me and visit our beautiful New York.
He had . moderate income. and there
being nothing special to prevent. he
quickly decided to give up his wander
ings and visit the New World
Upon moonlight nights. - We cat
smoking. 1 learned. bit by bit his
story. 1t was a very sad one. and con-
tanned more romance and pathos than
any other ever heard.
About ten years afterward, meeting
a man about town at the club. asked
him il he knew Saunders. Il do not,
no replied; neither do care to meet
any man who marries q young and
beautiful girl. gets divorced. marries
another, deserts her. and passes HIM
self of over here as a single man. "
There was SO much truth in his remark
that l could not stamp it as faise. and
yet could not explain without a breach
of confidence, SO was forced to let the
subject drop. - - -.
Three years having easpsed since
that conversation, and one month since
my friends death. my lips are un-
sealed. and hasten to take the slurs
from his memory cast upon it by that
horrible vampire with tho million
tongues-scandal-by publishing the
following autobiography:
MY father died during my ninth
year and appointed my aunt Mrs
Chalmers. my guardian. She Was q
widow, quite young and childless. and
she truly acted a mothers part toward
me. All my midsummer holidays
were spent at Stanleigh Hall. near
London. and even after I was grown
and ready to leave Oxford looked
forward with pleasure to . summer
spent with my aunt in her lovely home.
Il entered the army at twenty-one.
went to India in 81. and returned four
years later with shattered arm and
tho Victoria Cross. My aunt had liv-,
ing with her as ward beautiful young
girl of seventeen. This fair being had
only left school the preceding June,
and was the only daughter of . dear
friend. who had been suddenly taken
of with heart disease. Gwendolyn
was my first and only love. viii
briefly say that We were married. and
that Ispent three months Of the most
unalloyed happiness it ever falls 10
men 10 enjoy. It gradually. however.
began to dawn upon mo that my girl
wife was victim to opium.
when our only daughter Marion
way year old entered the house one
day in time to rescue her from q
frishtful death at her mothers hands.
! then applied for and procured q d.
vOroe-yOu know how public such
things are in the old woodland l was
returning homo for the last time in or
der to arrange matters with Gwendo-
lyn. xhen on entering the driveway I
deserted lanterns in various parts of
the grounds. and that subtle sense of
evil tAA casts its shadow before. over
poweesd mo. Too soon I learned that
my lcssiy- child-wife was dead. drown
ed With her baby in the artificial lake.
] knew that she was not then responsi-
BILE. and you cas readily imagine that
agony such rs then suffered must for
ever crush out the faintest glimmer of
happisess from my life.
For sixteen years I was . wander
err; then weary longing came upon
me to revisit my native land Ire
turned to London. My lawyers in
formed me that an old mess-mate,
George Lowthcrs. had left ns his es-
tate near Stanloigh Hall. on the sole
condition that should live on it. The
request was most agreeable to me; |
lOnged for quiet home life. Save q |
brief Dote to my aunt once a year 1 |
had written to no one and had heard |
from no one during all these years
My welcome vas q loving one. as |
of old. and my old love of the hall re-
turned in full force. There were a
few people staying there. but mono |
knew, heing mostly Of the new genera
ton. thus saving me the embarrass-
ment of knowing that my domestic af-
fairs were being mentally reviewed.
'-One evening . pretty young girl.
who hal just been singing, came over
beside me. and greeting me with the
freedom Of youth. said she wanted me
to tell her some Of my marvellous ad-
veafures with teobras and Iona for,
Of course. you have met them. she
added. merrily.
Il was enjoying her quick Wit when.
during slight pause. my quick ear
caught IL re0ark: But why did net
Nr. A0nersse1ye' ths ests*e y Nh |
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