Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1890-04-04
. DARK SECRET.
The Story Of a Tragic
Life Drama.
BY E. M. DAVY.


CHAPTER y.
AN STARRED MARRIAGE
My marriage morning dawned. Snow
was falling heavily, the cold intense.
1t had been arranged we were to leave
for Edinburgh by the midday train. L
packed my pOrtmanteaU and set off at the
appointed time in the carriage that was
to convey me to church. An old man
was sweeping the snow away from the
church porch as I 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 a woman
who was busting the pews were to be the
sole Witnesses to our marriage.
The building felt chill and vault-liks.
and the time I waited seemed intermin-
able. More than once the vicar, opening
the vestry door, looked at me and glanced
anxiously down the church. He invited
me to go in beside the fire, but declined.
Every moment my anxiety increased. 1
consulted my watch for the twentieth
time; it was more than half-past II, and
the hour appointed was haIf-past 10.
Surprising after all an unloOked-fOr
accident should delay the marriage.
Shortly after this idea suggested itself,
Mrs and Miss HargreaVe entered the
church, and the moment they did so 1
knew there was something wrong and
went down the aisle to meet them.
Mother only had one Of her fainting
fits" George whispered, looking radiant
and 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
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
wi VII in, Off ro OF Cd 70
unconscious OF her mothers appearance.
The clergyman, L was sure, remarked it.
AS to myself, knowing what 1 did, could
not divest my mind of the idea that but
for sheer force of viii she would have ex-
PRED there and then. The thought made
me nervous. I was conscious my hand
trembled as I laid the ring on the book
it shook percepubly when L had to place
the ring on GeOrgie's finger.
She looked at me in surprise and smiled
not little scOrnfully.
Those whom God hath joined together
let no man put asunder."
Scarcely were these words spoke en-
than my worst fears became verified
With a sharp cry, succeeded by low
moan, Mrs. HargreaVe fell forward against
the rails.
Mother, motherl Keep up little
longer. Oh, remember all that is involved
cried George, striving to raise Mrs. Har-
greave IN her arms.
Take me home, take me homel" gaspeC
the unfortunate creature.
"Oh, this is too too dreadful! What
is to be done? We are not married YETI
exclaimed George, wringing her hands
The vicar, who was now assisting me tt
raise the PROSTATE figure, looked up, Gu
riOusly.
You are duly married, Mrs. Dudley
You have but to give your signatures.
fear this poor lady is seriously i'll, and IL
that case 1t viii De best to take her hOmt
at once. The rest of the service, under
such circumstances, were best dispensed
with"
George thanked him warmly We 60
Mrs. Hargreaye to the Yestry, but she wal
unconscious. Not minute was lost II
signing the register. She was then con,
veyed to the carriage and placed in it
George supporting the poor white fac'
upon her shoulder But before getting il
myself 1 directedthe man who had brougb
me to church to 90 and fetch DR.. Gas
COigne at once to Langdale Grange.
What journey that was through tn
drifting snow; the driver all the Will
logging the horses to their utmost spec
the bride and bridegroom supporting
between them the insensible woman, OF
whose worn features death had but to-
surely set his seal But George failet
to read the signs.
1--WE can scarcely go to Edinburgh to
day, unless mother Is a great deal better,
she remarked questiOniugly.
Scarcely" ] assented, with cOnsi deTa
bic bitterness.
was only beginning to realize full
nv position Tt flashed on me quite sud
denly that the hour I had so ardently de
sired had arrived-that the beautiful gin
beside me was my wife, and all the pas
sionate love which the night before ha
Wavered - the balance now reasserted il
self with tenfOld force
I clasped my darling's hand, and onl
looked the thoughts that in that presenc
felt 1 dare not utter.
On arriving at the Grange 1t was evider
enough the secret of our marriage hG
transpired. The door stood open; a crow
of excited, eager servants were assemble
IN the hall.
I was about to lift Mrs. Hargreave frOI
the carriage, when Edna IiyntOn, runnin
forward whispered in my ear: I ser
for DR.. GascOigne, fearing this. He
here"
Gascoigne appeared at the same me
ment. and disdaining help, bore the poo
lady in his strong arms to the nesrsi
sitting-roOm and laid her on couch. the
ordered all to quit the room save me, ~
wife and Edna.
One person, however, unbJddsn, liz
gered-a tall, MISUNDERSTANDING woman