The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-10-02

held look not good to see.
"You mean this, Mark Alleyne?" she
faltered, slowly.
II mean it! From first to last ]
have fooled you, duped you, deceived
you! Good enough for you, since you,
common servant, were silly enough
to believe in the VOWS and protesta-
tions of man in my social posi-
tion! Never do it again, Maggie!" he
went on, insolently; "it does not pay
"And no gentleman in his senses
would think for moment of marrying
poor servant girl, and with face like
yours"
he had stabbed her in her most
vulnerable point-her vanity-and he
knew :s. anew, too, now completely
he was in this woman's power; but he
seemed possessed of a taunting devil
which would not let him go.
She stood still-still as death-her
eyes set, and staring into his eager,
triumphant face. Twice she opened
her lips to speak. At last:
"Are you not afraid ?" she asked, with
sarcastic sneer. He started. In his
exultation over the certainty of making
Adele his wife, he had forgotten his
own dangerous position.
"Bah !" he muttered, under his breath,
shell never do it,"
Then, aloud, he added:
Afraid! That is rather bold word
to use to me. Maggie!"
Think of what you have said to
me-" she painted, angrily; "but no mat
ter. I can bear it all. Only I have
one word to say, Mark Alleyne; it is
this: For oil the wrong you have done
me you shall yet suffer-suffer beyond
words to express-suffer so that you
will long for death. Don't forget that,
Mark Alleynel"
She turned swiftly and flashed from
the room, the letter for Adele still
clinched in her trembling hand. Mark
darted into the corridor after her.
"Maggie!"
She glanced swiftly into his pleading
face.
"You will deliver the letter to Adele
to the rightful owner?" he asked, softly.
She smiled; but somehow Mark Al
leyne shrunk from that smile.
ayes, I will deliver it to the rightful
owner" she made answer.
Then she entered Adele's room and
closed the door in his face. Mark
turned away.
C]"She will do it," he muttered, slow
ly. "She will not dare destroy it, or
disobey me. She will give it to Adele,
and tonight my darling will be my own
forever. My beautiful wife!"
And he turned away with a heart full
Of exultant triumph at thought of the
bright future which arose before his
vision like a star of hope. To him the
love of Adele st. Cyr meant more than
hope of heaven.
Eight, chimed from the nearest
church steeple. Eight, repeated all
The neighboring clocks in concert.
And up the stairs leading to Adele's
ooudoir Mark Alleyne led the way,
While clergyman followed after, and
with him two young men who had
agreed to act as witnesses. The minis
;er had been duly informed that the
secret ceremony was only whim of
The invalid's; that she was of age, and
her own legal mistress; therefore no
objection could be made.
Mark tapped iignTIy upon the boudoir
door; it opened, and they crossed the
threshold. The shaded lamp, upon
tiny table, was turned so low that the
objects in the room were scarcely yisi-
ble. The door which led into the ad-
Joining sleeping-room was closed. An
elderly woman, who introduced herself
as professional nurse, received them.
"The young lady is feeble yet," she
said, in a sleek, oily tone; "and the
light hurts her eyes, 80 that she cannot
bear to have it bright in the room. ]
hope the gentleman will not object?"
No, Mark did not object. Nothing
seemed of any Importance compared
with the fact that in few moments
time Adele st. Cyr would be his wife.
Reclining upon silken sofa, in a flow.
ing white wrapper, daintily trimmed
with lace, her head draped pict-
uresquely in lace, lay slender form.
Mark sprang to her side, and stopping,
pressed his lips to her hand.
"My own darling! Heaven bless you
for this" he murmured.
"Are you ready, sir?" intervened the
clergyman.
Mark stood erect beside the droop-
ing figure.
ayes, yes!" he cried.
"The lady had better remain in re-
clining position" observed the clergy
man. 1T will be all over in a moment.
You desire short ceremony, sir?"
eyes; as short as possible, for she is
unable to endure excitement and, IA
ure," Mark returned.
The clergyman advanced to the side
of the sofa; Mark stood near, with the
hand of his bride in his own. The
clergyman began, and in exactly two
minutes the ceremony was said, and Il
pronounce you man and wife" fell upon
the silence of the room.
According to the particular form
used by the clergyman, there was no
ton or the mafTiage certincaIe, duly
delivered to the bride. Then, without
moments delay, the clergyman and
witnesses took their departure.
Mark saw them to the outer door,
saw it close upon them, then he turned
and went upstairs again. Was it all a
dream? he opened the boudoir door
and entered. His bride still reclined
upon the sofa. Hefew to her side and
caught her in his arms.
"My darling wife!" he painted eagerly.
Even as he spoke the nurse came