The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1890-02-22
4 DARK SECRET.
The Story OF a Tragic
Life Drama.
By E. NJ. DAVY.
CHAPTER x.

| for Edinburgh by the midday train. l
packed my lortmanteau and set off at the
| apo inted time In the carriage that was
| to convey me to church. An old man
was sweeping the snow away from the
| church porch as | alighted. and the
clerk. apparently on the lookout, con-
| Quoted me up the aisle and left me stand
ing at the altar rails. He and woman
who was busting the rews Were to be the
soc witnesses to our marriage.
Tie building felt chill and Vault like,
Gnd the time | waited seemed intermin-
able. More than once the vicar, opening
| the yestry door, looked at NE and glanced
| anxiously down the church. He invited
| Inc to 90 i'll beside the fire, but declined
Every moment my anxiety increased. L
| consulted my watch for the twentieth
time; it was more than half-past IL, and
| the hour appointed was half past 10.
Supp osing after all all unlocked for
! accident should delay the marriage.
Shortly after this idea suggested itself,
| Mrs and Miss Hargreaye entered the
church, and the moment they did so |
| knew there was something wrong, and
went down the aisle to meet them.
! Mother only had one OF her fainting
| fits" George whispered, look ing radiant
| aud happy, and as though she had not a
| care in the world. Mrs. Hargreave was
| deadly pale; pink spot burned on either
| cheek.
Never mind" she gasped; Il am well
enough"
We took our places according to the
| Wears directions, and the service began
| at once.
Strange to say, my attention was much
| more fixed on Mrs Hargreave than on the
| bride who, iii point of fact seemed quite
uncou scloas Of her mothers appearance.
The clergyman. | was sure, remarked it.
| As TO myself, knowing what did, could
not divest my mind of tue idea that but
for sheer force of will she would have en-
pred there and then. The thought made
| me nervous. | was conscious my hand
| trembled as I laid the ring on the book
| il shook percep:ibly when | had to place
| the ring on George s finger.
She looked at me in surprise and smiled
| not little scornfully.
Those whom God hath joined together
| let no man put aSnnder.
| Scarcely were these words spok EN-
| than ms worst fears became verified
| With a sharp cry. succeeded by low
moan. sir llargreaNe fell forward against
| the rails.
Mother, mother! Keep up a little
| longer. Oh, remember all that is involved, p"
| cried George, striving to raise Mrs. Har-
ErtANt III ncf arms.
| Fake me home, take me home," gasped
| the unfortunate creature.
| oh, this is too. too dreadful, What
is to be done: We are not married vet"
| exclaimed George. wriuglno T hands
| The vicar, who was now ASSISTING me to
| raise the PROSTATE figure, looked up, Gu
| riously.
You are duly married. Mrs. Dudley.
| You have bat to give yonr signatures. |
| fear this poor lady is seriously i'll, and in
| that case It Will be best to take her home
at once. The rest of the service under
| such circumstances. were best dispensed
| with.
| George thanked him warmly. We cot
| Mrs. Hargredve to the vestry but she was
| unconscious. Not a minute was lost III
| signing the register. She was then CON
| veyed 20 the carriage and placed in it.
| George supporting the poor white face
| upon her shoulder But before getting in
/ myself | directed the man who had brought
me to church to go and fetch DR.. Gas
| coigne at once to Laugdale Grange.
What a journey that was through the
| drifting snow; the driver all the while
| logging the horses to their utmost speed
| tho bride and bridegroom supportin (
between them the insenslble woman, on
who's worn features death had but too
|
| to read the signs.
We can scarcely go 10 Edinburgh to-
| day. unless mother is Il great deal better. -
| she remarked questioningly.
! Scarcely, | assented. with considera-
| BILE bitterness.
was only beginning to realize fully
| my position. 1t flashed on me quite sud
denly that the hour had so ariently de-
| sired had arrived that the beautiful girl
| beside ne Was my wife aud all the pas
| sionate love which the night before had
| wayerel III the balance now reasSerted it
| self with tenfold force.
| clasped my dtrling's hand. Gnd only
looked the thou hts that III that pres ence
| | felt | dare not utter.
! ON arriving nj the Grange it WAS evident
| enough the secret of our marriage had
| lransplted. The door stood open: crowd
| of excited. eager servants were assembled
IL TIL hall
was about to lift Mrs Halgreave from
the carriage. when Edna Lyntou, running
| forward, whispered i'll my ear: Il sent
/ for DR.. Gascolgne. fearing this. He is
| here
Gaseoigne appeared Al the same mo-
ment, and disdainlng help, bore the poor
| la ~ IN his strong arms to the nearest
| sitting room and laid her on couch, then
ordered all TO quit the room save me, my
| wife and Edna
One person. however. unbidGeu. lin
/ grred-a tall. masculine looking woman.
dressed IN stiff, black silk. bunch of
| keys hung at her side.
IA III the houseksepsr. Mistress Arm
I strong. she SAID III assertion 10 her right
TO REMAIN. and the Doctor iutimated that
she might Go so.
There j. nothing TO be done said
Gascoigne presently. IA ing around upon
Us. nothing. She could not have lived
many days III any case.
l. She" | asked.
lie nodded.
But Georgiel was Iincousolable. She
flung herself upon the door before the
dead woman III the widest abandonment
of grief. The words she spoke were
scarcely audible through her sobs This
ebulltlon Of sorrow was the more dis
treSsIng to me, because /. the newly made
husband, found myself totally incapable
OF afording consolation. George refused
to listen 10 NV words of endearment
/ When | touched her she repulsed NE an
grily
Presently she rose. and throwing back
her hair. which had fallen in disordered
J masses about her shoulders. she called
I lmperlously 10 Edna: Bring my dear
mothers Bible-the book she loved Sc
we'll And on the girl returning, she
seized il from her, and kissing il frantic
ally exclaimed.
Here. IL the presence OF the dead
mother who lived and died for me-, /
wear TO lead the life she would have me
lead. Q, God, help NE TO be faithful
to
But DR.. Gasceisne was At her side il
~ instant.