The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1890-02-15
CHAPTER IN.

And We Were to be married on Friday
v hat would Edna think when she knew
what would she say? | could OF keep
my promise to her: It was impossible.
Dame Fortune had turned her wheel in
my favor, and | believe that was being
drawn onward by f,te
That l was simply a mere puppet in
the hands of Mrs. Hargreave-a weak
woman, with one foot in the grave
never once occurred to me-
| went to Coaltown. saw my employers
and informed them that family affairs ne
cessitated my immediately relinquishing
nv clerkship. | offered no explanation.
There was none demanded
Probably they guessed by my manner
that some good luck had come to me- at
any rate they agreed to let me 90. | was
able TO wind up my affairs III few hours
handing over my stool and desk to a
young fellow clerk who, ] we'll knew, was
longing to step into my place.
After hurried dinner | ordered q car
rage TO convey me to Langdale Grange
1t was about three miles distant: the
roads, being hilly. rendered pro 3ress diff
ticult and slow
On Thursday evening | quilted the
Grange earlier than usual. in order to
make arrangements for the marriage,
| called on the vicar of the parish. OBJ
tanned the license. and appointed half
past 10 the following morning for
the ceremony, stating that / wished
ii to be conducted with the greatest pri-
yacy.
1t was between 5 and Q o'clock V hen
! returned TO Glendale House ana. as
entered the portico the first snow of the
season was beginning TO fall heavily.
went upstairs to the room | had al
ways occupied. 1t was one of those
called in the Glendale establishment a
French room" because it served the
double purpose Of sitting and bed room:
tnlck Algerian curtain divided tie
apartment into two.
cheerful fire was burning in the crate.
turned up the gas, lit cigarette, and
sat down contemplatively in NJ easy
chair.
a bachelor to-day. a married man to-
morrow. | vas not sorry to have these
few hours TO myself Events seemed to
have been rushing me on so fast | had
had literally no time for sober thought
My mind felt caimer, clearer, than it
had done of late. l reviewed nv past
life.
1t had been by no means that of a saint.
but | saw Little IL the retrospect with
which TO reproach myself In the midst
OF my self-communing began 20 think
of Edna. Her image rose vividlv-so
rsistently-before my minds eve that
resented it. | got up imp tiently. flung
away my cigarette and went to the table
on which stood my writing desk. Iopeued
II and took from a secret drawer-where
l had placed It six years ago-the one
only letter | received from Edna LINTON.
II consisted of but few lines renouncing
me and my love forever. assuring me her
decision was Interchangeable and asking.
as the only favor / could render, that
would refrain from writing or making
any attempt 10 see her. l answered her
letter, but that reply came back unopened.
made several attempts to see her, but in
vain.
At last, bitterly wounded in my love
and pride. did my best to forget her.
How had l succeeded All. how indeed,
Even now, with that cruel letter before
my eyes, owned 70 myself that. deep
and passionate as was nv love for
Georges, there was none of the tenderness