Dodge City times., 1890-10-31
A DARK SECRET.
The Story Of a Tragic
Life Drama.
CHAPTER Z.
AN ILL-srARRKD MARR1AsE

My marriage morning dawned. Sno'
Vas falling heavily, the cold intense.
1t had been arranged We were to leav
Tor Edinburgh by the d-day train.
packed my portmanteau and set of at tn
appointed time in the carriage that wa
to convey me to church. An old mai
was sweeping the snow away from tn
church porch as I slighted, and tn
clerk, apparently on the lookout, con
ing at the altar rails. He and woman
who was busting the pews were to be tn
cole witnesses to our marriage.
The building felt chill and vault-like
and the time I waited seemed intArmin
able. More than once the vicar, opening
the vestry door, looked at me and glance,
anXiously down the church. He invited
me- to 60 in beside the fire, but declined
Livery moment my anxiety increased.
consulted my watch for the twentieth
time; 1t was more than half-past IL, ant
the hour appointed was half-past 10.
Supposing after all an unlocked -fol
accident should delay the marriage.
Shortly after this idea suggested itself
Mrs. and Miss Hargreave entered tn,
church, and the moment they did so
knew there was something wrong, ant
went down the aisle to meet them.
Mother only had one of her faintine
fits" George whispered, looking radiant
and happy, and as though she had not {
care in the world. Mrs. Hargreave wa.
deadly pale; q pink spot burned on either
cheek.
Never mind" she gasped; Il am vel
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. Hargresve than on the
bride, who, in point of fact, seemed quite
unconscious of her mothers appearance.
The clergyman, was sure, remarked it.
As to myself, knowing what did, could
not divest my mind of the idea that but
for sheer force of will she would have ex.
pired there and then. The thought made
me nervous. l was conscious my hand
trembled as laid the ring ON the book;
, it shook perceptibly when had to place
the ring on Georges finger.
She looked at me in surprise and smiled
not little sconfuIly.
Those whom God hath joined together
: let no man put ssunder."
Scarcely we're these words spok en-
than my worst fears became verified.
With q sharp cry, succeeded by low
moan, Mrs. Hargreave fell forward against
the rails.
Mother, motherl Keep up q little
longer. Oh, remember all that is involved,
cried George, striving to raise Mrs. Har-
igreave in her arms.
Take me home, take me homei" gasped
the unfortunate creature.
"Oh, this is too, too dreadful! What
! is to be done? We are not married yet! "
exclaimed George, wringing her 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 but to give your signatures. I
that case 1t 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 got
Mrs. Hsrgreave to the vestry, but she was
unconscious. Not q minute WAS lost in
signing the register. She was then con-
iveyed to 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 60 and fetch Dr.. Gas
coigne at once to Langdale Grange.
What a journey that was through the
drifting snow; the driver all the while
hoR4ing the horses to their utmost speed
tho bride and bridegroom supporting
between them the insensible woman, on
whose worn features death had but too
surely set his seal! But George failed
to read the signs.
we can scarcely 60 to Edinburgh to-
day, unless mother is great deal better,
she remarked questioningly.
Scarcely, assented, with considera-
BILE bitterness.
Twas only beginning to realize fully
my position 1t flashed on me quite sud-
denly that the hour had SO ardently de-
sired had arrived-that the beautiful girl
beside me was my wife, and all the pas
Wavered in the balance now reasserted it.
self with tenfold force.
clasped my darling's hand, and only
looked the thoughts that in that presence
I felt / dare not utter.
On arriving at the Grange it was evident
enough the secret of our marriage had
franspired. The door stood open; a crowd
bf excited, eager servants were assembled
In the hall.
I was about to lift Mrs. Hargreave from
the carriage. when Edna Lynton, running
forward, whispered in my ear: Il sent
for Dr.. Gascoigne, fearing this. He is
here.
Gascoigne appeared at the same mo-
ment, and disdaining help, bore the poor
lady in his strong arms to the nearest
sitting-room and laid her on a couch, then
ordered all to quit the room save me, my
wife and Edna.
One person, however, unbidden, lin
Rered|a tall, masculine looking woman.
dressed in stiff, black silk, q bunch of
keys hung at her side.
sAa'm the housekeeper, Mistress Arm
strong. she said in assertion to her right
to remain, and the Doctor intimated that
she might do SO.
There is nothing to be d0ne," said
iGascoigne presently, facing around upon
ms, nothing. She could not have lived
many days in any case.
~Is She" asked.
He nodded.
But Gsorgiel was Iinconsolable. She
flung herself upon the floor before the
dead woman, in the widest abandonment
Of grief. The words she spoke we're
scarcely audible through her sobs. This
ebullition Of sorrow was the more dis
tressing to me, because 1, the newly made
husband, found myself totally incapable
Of affording consolation. George refused
to listen to my words of endearment.
when touched her she repulsed me an
gfily.
Presently she rose. and throwing back
her hair, which had fallen in disordersd
masses about her shoulders, she called
impsriously to Edna: Bring my dear
mothers Bible-the book she loved %
veil. Ard on the girl returning, she
oeised It from her, and kissing it frantic
ely sxnlaimeG:
Here. in the presence of the dead
mother Who lived and died for me,
swear 70 Lad the life she would have mo
leod. O. God, help me to be faithful
b. DR.. Gs secisne was = her side in