Nevada County picayune., 1891-12-03

| uaiheh tiic sllSHJcS- reference to the secret marriage. Norma would have had trouble in proving the fact, had she wished to do so, for Richard had taken possession of the certificate of marriage, and the clergyman who had performed the ceremony had gone away to parts unknown.
 Time passed, and at last the blow fell upon poor Norma. One morn ing Mrs. kavanaugh received let ter from her daughter which seemed to cause her great satisfaction and delight.
 "Well, Lena has done well," she cried, eagerly. ',She has married Richard Travers, and, of course, all the Travers fortune will be hers now. It is true l do not fancy her marry Ing away from home, but under the circumstances 1 can forgive her any thing. Lena is dear girl, and beau tiful, too," added the fond mother, complacently, "and she deserves to do well. 1 shall go to visit her in a short time. She invites me cordial ly, and says l must forgive her for her hasty marriage. Right glad l am of her good fortune"
 To Mrs. Kayanaagh's surprise and disgust, Norma arose and left the room in silence. Mrs. kava. naugh tossed her head.
 "Umph, spiteful thing. she is jealous. But Norma Andrews was never like other girls. am glad that dear Lena is not like her in any way"
 Mrs. kavanaugh was somewhat startled when her ncice made her appearance the next day and de- handed money with which to take a short journey. Mrs. kavanaugh lifted her hands in horror.
 "Where are you going? And what earthly business can you have run ming about the country all alone! Private business? Ton? 1 don't believe that you have any at all, "
 Il am going, all the same, Aunt kavanaugh," returned the clear, cold voice, "and you shall defray my travelling expenses. My father left money in your hands for me, and l know it'
 Mrs. Kavanaugh fell back, pale to the very lips, her eyes full of wild terror, which convinced Norma that her random shot had told, and that it was as she had long suspected. She had not been left penniless in Mrs. kavanaugG's care.
 II merely ask enough of my own money, Mrs. kavanaugh, to pay my way to Dayton,' the girl went on, uimly.
 '-Dayton, In the name of sense, what takes you to paytonF"
 Norma's pale face grew shade paler,
 "That's my affair" she answer ed, quietly. But l agree to tell you all about it when return. 1 will be here inside of a week. You may as well give me the money, Aunt kavanaugh, for 1 am going to Dayton if have to walk there!"
 So, much against her wishes, Mrs. Kavanaugh complied and Norma set out on her dreary journey to Dayton--to her false husband.
 "He could not marry Lena Kava- naugh while l am his wife, the poor girl murmured, as the tram sped along.
 She reached Dayton at last, and went straight to the handsome home of Richard Travcrs' $ uncle. Ring ing the bell, she was shown into a drawing room, into the presence of Lena and old MT. Travers, who lay upon a sofa, and-yes, Richard Travcrs himself. He started to his feet with cry of joy.
 Norma, my darling." he cried kissing her right there before the others. "What has been the mat ter? l have not heard a word from you in weeks, and l was half wild with anxiety, and was on the point of going back to you, but my uncle had another attack, and
 "Rch, tell me what it all means :" she whispered. Aunt Kavanaugh says that Lena is married to-to-"
 "Uncle Richard Travers. Yes, my darling, he added, in an under tone; "she did that so that she might claim the Travers fortune and pre- vent you and me from inheritlng it; and she dld not know Until just now when Uncle Richard was telling her,