The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1890-06-20

Mr.. Drane was stung, but not crushed.
"You must understand, :" he exclaimed,
"that should repay it. I've got plenty
of money, that is, there's plenty be-
longing to me, and l can get it if can
on.y prove my identity"
The young woman's eyes were dilated
with wonder and doubt.
'Strange!" she said, slowly, "for that
is exactly my own case. You shall tell
me your story presently. Listen, to
mine. / became an orphan at an early
age, and until little more than year
ago lived with my guardian, warm
friend of my fathers, in Buffalo. At
the time of which am about to speak
with some particularly had just at
tanned my.majority, so that controlled
what little property had been be-
queathed to me. 1 still lived with nv
guardian, however, and had not thought
seriously of the fact that was at last
absolutely a responsible being in the
world. There had been some suitors
for my hand, but to none had shown
the least favor. That they were all sim
cere have no doubt, for my fortune
was too slight to be temptation.
Among them was singular young man
of really immense riches. He was gen.
orally credited with being the possessor
of thirteen millions"
"Deuced unlucky figure" interposed
Mr. Drane.
'You shall see," said the fair mar
raUor. 81 could not bring myself to feel
towards this young man as l believe q
woman should towards q husband, al
though l had no reason to entertain any
thing but respect for his character. NV
guardian pleaded with me to make a
match SO palpably desirable, but could
not consent. 1t was while this matter
was pending that some or my associates
arranged to give an amateur theatrical
performance for the benefit Of a charita-
BILE institution. AS fortune, or perhaps
shrewd design, would have it, this
wealthy young man and were cast for
opposite parts. l had plainly rejected
his proposals to me, but he would not
take no for an answer, and he persisted
in quiet, good-natured devotion that
could not resent, but which began to
should have to marry him in order to
be free from him. I was in this half
tormented spirit when we met one night
at private house for rehearsal.
she was always insisting that we
should go over our love scenes again
and again, and the others who under
stood the situation sided with him. At
the end of that evening, having teased
me as much as possible, he suggested
that we carry the story OF our play to
its logical conclusion by rehearsing a
marriage ceremony. Its something
we must all come to- he said,- and
imagine that fellow would feel much
better before the altar if'he had learned
how to go through the motions The
others, silly young things! were fired
with the idea and without further
thought arranged the furniture so as to
represent an alta he chancel rail and
all that"
"a very reprehensible proceeding
commented Mr.. Drane. The young
woman was about to proceed when a
gray-coated officer, one of those guardi-
ans of public parks ironically known
as sparrow chasers," stepped up and
addressed Mr.. Drane:
'Say, yous, do you think nobody else
don't want to sit down? let you bleep
off your jag here, see? an it's bout time
you moved on, see?"
Mr.. Drane was about to resent the in.
reference when the young woman
whispered:
'Say nothing and obey?".
SO they rose, and followed for a mo.
ment by the policeman's curious eyes,
walked along the winding path to an
other bench, where they sat down again.
'Officious impudence!" muttered Mr..
Drane.
"Never mind," said the young woman,
soothingly, ''he has to do something to
earn his pay. Let me see, where was !
on the other bench?"
SAT the mock chanca rail-"
''Oh, yes; we'll, teased as was con.
sented to the farce, saying that it should
be the last of my lovers nonsense that
would endure. We went through an
absurd rigmarole, they made me say
lots of foolish things, and at the end
the young man who played the minister
insisted on kissing the bride. Then my
mock husband insisted, and-oh! dear
melt was very mortifying, and until
that wretched performance was given /
had to endure all sorts of banter and
jest. Then came the tragedy. A few
days after the performance my mock
husband was thrown from his carriage
and instantly killed. OF course was
shocked, together with his other friends,
but you may imagine my surprise when
his will was unsealed to find that he
had left, after a few minor bequests,
all his thirteen millions to me, his
witeln,
softly, and he looked hard at the
ground to conceal the incredulity that
he knew must show itself in his eyes.
~ then learned" continued thc
young woman, that the man who per-
formed the mock ceremony was author
lied to do it, in real earnest, and that
the presence of witnesses and the
other features of New York law made
the marriage legal. 1t was carried to
the courts and so decided. Behold me,
then, widow with great wealth. The
situation was not wholly pleasant, for
people talked and suitors came in
troops. So went abroad. Yesterday
arrived in America again. / know
nothing Of this city, and yielding to