The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-02-03
A DARK SECRET.
The Story Of a Tragic
Life Drama.
By e. NJ. DAvY.
CHAPTER x.
AN nL-sTARRED MARRIAGE.

CHAPTER x.
An mL-sTARRED MARRIAGE
My marriage morning dawned. SNOW
was falling heavily, the cold intense.
It had been arranged We were to leave
for Edinburgh by the midday train. ]
packed nv portmanteau and set OF 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 q woman
who was busting the pews were to be the
sole witnesses to our marriage.
The building felt chill and vault-like,
and the time waited seemed intermin-
able. .Iore than once the vicar, opening
the ves:ry door, looked at me and glanced
anxiously down the church. He invited
me to 20 in beside the fire, but declined.
Every moment my anxiety increased: l
consulted my watch for the twentieth
time; it was more than half-past II, and
the hour appointed was half-past 10.
Supposing after all an unlooked-tor
accident should delay the marriage.
Shortly after this idea suggested itself,
Mrs. and Miss Hargreave entered the
church, and the moment they did so !
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
care in the world. Mrs. Hargresve was
deadly pale; pink spot burned on either
cheek.
Never mind" she gasped; Il am well
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. Hargreave 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. I was conscious my hand
trembled as I laid the ring on the book;
1t shook psrceptibly when 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 ssunder."
Scarcely were these words spoken
than my worst fears became verified.
With q sharp cry, succeeded by a low
moan, Mrs. Hsrgreave fell forward against
the rails.
Mother, motherl Keep up a 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" gasped
the unfortunate creature.
aOh, 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 to
raise the PROSTATE figure, looked up, Gu
Eiously.
you are duly married, Mrs. Dudley.
fear this poor lady is seriously i'll, and in
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. Hargreave to the vestry, but she was
unconscious. Not a minute was lost IN
signing the register. She was then con-
veyed 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 20 and fetch Dr.. Gas.
coigne at once to Langdale Grange.
What journey that was through the
drifting snow; the driver all the while
fogging the horses to their utmost speed
the 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.
I'VE can scarcely 60 to Edinburgh to-
day, unless mother is great deal better"
she remarked questioningly.
Scarcely, I 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.
sionate love which the night before had
wavered in the balance now reasserted it.
self with tenfold force.
clasped my darling's hand, and only
looked the thoughts that i'll that presence
I felt dare not utter
On arriving at the Grange 1t was evlden,
snough the secret of our marriage had
transpired. The door stood open; crowd
of excited, eager servants were assembled
in the hall.
was about to lift Mrs. Hargreave from
the carriage, when Edna Lynton, running
forward, whispered in my ear: I sent
for DR.. Gascoigns, fearing this. he ia
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 couch. then
ordered all to quit the room save me, my
wife and Edna.
One person, however, unbidden, lin
pefed-a tall, masculine looking woman,
dressed in stiff, black silk, bunch of
keys hung at her side.
sAa'm the housekeeper, Mistress Arm
strong" she said in assertion to her right
10 remain, and the Doctor intimated that
she might do SO.
There is nothing to be done. said
Gascoipne presently, facing around upon
us. nothing. She could not have Lived
many days in any case.
-Is She" I asked.
He nodded.
But Georg1e2 was Iinconsolable. She
flung herself upon the floor before the
dead woman, in the widest abandonment
of grief. The words she spoke were
scarcely audible through her sobs. This
ebullition Of sorrow was the more dis
tresslne to me, because /. the newly made