The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1889-08-25

| .N to treat her I'M
@|' kindly. But h e
was determined
to marry Leoni On that point he was
strong though on most others he was
weak He would still let Amy believe that
they were to be married in the fall. Per-
haps in the meantime he could think of a
good excuse for breaking off the match.
He might pretend TO be iealous-to be-
lieve that she didn't love him. Not only
was John disturbed on this account, but
the state of affairs of the Mutual Divi-
dend Mining company did not tend to
make him happy. Col. Mortimer was
drinking heavily and playing Might've
sure signs that he was losing faith in the
continued prosperity of the company,
and there were some ugly rumors afoat
that reflected upon the company's credit.
John, too, feared day of reckoning,
and he followed the example of his chief
in the matter of drinking and high play.
His letters to Amy became less frequent,
and his visits to Leoni more so. He was
infatuated by the Italians beauty and
her passionate love for him, and he could
not keep away from her. Two or three
times he had gone to see her while feel
ing the worse for liquor. She was terri
bly, shocked: but he explained the cir
cJmstance as an accident, and she was
quite willing to accept the explanation.
One day, after :, matinee, he called for
her at the stage door of the Academy TO
take her home in his carriage. She re
fused to go with him at first, because her
mother was not with her; but John
argued so eloquently that she yielded.
Were they not engaged to be married?
Indeed, they were really as good as hus
band and wife. 1t was only question
of few words of ceremony. Moreover,
he had something of great importance
to say to her, and he must say it to her
alone.
So Leoni got into the carriage. John
spoke few words in a low tone to his
italian valet, who sat on the box with
the coachman, and sprang into the car
riage, shutting the door after him with
bang of victory. AS the horses dashed
up the street he took Leoni's hand and
kissed it deferentially, and held it in his
own while he talked to her as he could
80 well talk to women. John had been
drinking, but not heavily, andnot enough
for Leoni to notice; only enough to make
him determined to accomplish his object,
to which end he brought all his elo-
quence to bear. He told Leoni the story
of his love for her-a story she never
tired of hearing; and then he asked her
if she really loved him.. Her words
were few, but their emphasis and the
look In her eyes satisfied him. Then he
told her that he was going to put her
love to the test-that he was going to
ask her to marry him, and to marry him
that very afternoon. Circumstances
which he would explain to her some day
made it necessary ec2r their marriage to
be private.
If he could have his way, he would like
it to be proclaimed from the house
tops and cried through the streets. He
was proud of his love, and he wanted
the world to know Of it, but adverse
fate would have it otherwise. If they
were to be married at all, it must
be privately. Leonis face grew pale at
the eff" and she pressed Johns hand
that held hers with an energy that gave
assurance. II was so sure that you
would say yes, darling, that 1 brought
this ring, and | have ordered the coach
man to drive us to the house of re-
spectacle clergyman, who will perform
the ceremony as it should be performed,
making thee mine and me thine beyond
any chance of separation" Tears filed
Leoni's eyes at the thought of deceiving
her kind father and mother; but John
kissed them away and told her that it
would only be for a short time. He had
his way, and as the clergyman's house
was reached in a few moments the cere-
mony was performed at once, Johns
valet acting as witness. Leoni, in her
agitation, with her imperfect knowledge
of English, did not notice that John gave
the name of Hurlstone.
After the ceremony John drove her
home and took dinner with the family.
He was never gayer and never made
himself more agreeable to Signor and
Signora Celia. Leoni was more or less
embarrassed. She felt that she was in a
false position, and che was displeased
with herself for having deceived her
parents, particularly her mother, from
whom she had never concealed anything
in her life. Both her father and her
mother felt sure that John was seriously
in love with Leoni, but they knew their
daughter too well to fear that she would
entertain any proposition from him but
that of honorable marriage. Those who
look upon ballet dancers as an utterly