Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1889-11-13
MARRIED, NOT MATED.
The Sad and Romantic Story Of My
Friend Saunders.

The following narrative reached me
last week, together with notice of
Harris Saunders death. He was a
quiet, reserved man, and one who
made no new friends. We first met
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.
II was 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, as we sat
smoking, l learned, bit by bit, his
story. 1t was very sad one, and con-
tanned more romance and pathos than
any other l ever heard.
About ten years afterward, meeting
man about town at the club, l asked
him il he knew Saunders. 81 do not"
he replied; neither do l care to meet
any man who marries q young and
beautiful girl, gets divorced, marries
another, deserts her, and passes him
self off over here as a single man."
There was so much truth in his remark
that l could not stamp it as false, and
yet / could not explain without breach
Of confidence, so was forced to let the
subject drop.
Three years having elapsed since
that conversation, and one month since
my friends death, my lips are I'M
sealed, and l hasten to take the slurs
from his memory cast upon it by that
horrible vampire with the million
tongues-scandal- publishing the
following autobiography:
my father died during my ninth
year and appointed my aunt, Mrs.
Chalmers, my guardian. She was a
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 was grown
and ready to leave Oxford looked
forward with pleasure to a summer
spent with my aunt in her lovely home.
II entered the army at twenty-one,
went to India in 81, and returned four
years later with shattered arm and
the V ictoria Cross. My aunt had liv-
ing with her as ward a 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. ! will
briefly say that we were married, and
that l spent three months of the most
unalloyed happiness it ever falls TO
men to enjoy. 1t gradually, however,
began to dawn upon me that my girl
wife was victim to opium.
when our only daughter Marion
was year old entered the house one
day in time to rescue her from
frightful death at her mothers hands
i then applied for and procured di-
vorce-you know how public such
things are in the old woodland was
returning home for the last time in Or
der to arrange matters with Gwendo-
Ign, when on entering the driveway /
deserted lanterns In various parts OF
the grounds, and that subtle sepse OF
evil that casts its shadow before, over
powered me. Too soon learned that
my lovely child-wife was dead, drown
ed with her baby in the artificial lake.
knew that she was not then RESPONSE
BILE. and you can readily imagine that
agony such as l then suffered must for
ever crush out the faintest glimmer OF
happiness from my life.
For sixteen years I was wander
er; then weary longing came upon
me to revisit my native land. re-
turned to London. My lawyers in
formed me that an old mess-mate,
George Lowthers, had left me his es-
tate near Stanleigh Hall, on the sole
request was most agreeable to me; /
longed for quiet home life. Save
brief note to my aunt once year /
had written to no one and had heard
from no one during ell these years.
my welcome was 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 none l
knew, being mostly OF the new genera
ton, thus saving me the embarrass-
ment OF knowing that my domestic az
fairs were being mentally reviewed.
"One evening pretty young girl,
who had 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-
ventures with 'cobras and lions for,
OF course, you have met them she
added, merrily.
II was enjoying her quick wit, when,
during slight pause. my quick ear
caught the remark: But why did not
Mr.. Louthers leave the estate TO Miss
DuvalP She has lived with him for
years. and Is almost pretty, too
Perhaps he knew her too WE'LL
was the reply. He did leave her five
hundred pounds. though"
Well, / think IL very moan in Mr..
Louibers, especially as Miss Duval is
a relative. II were his old friend /
would march up 10 the fair maid,
marry her and divide the spoils.
while I was wondering whether or
not ! should explain myself, my aunt
broke in: My dear Isabel, fear you
are inclined 10 be jealous While In
that mood suppose you sing us The
Wish