The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1894-03-01

absent several days. Could we have
better opportunity
Dora wrote, "Let it be as you
wish.'
Foolish, foolish maiden! In that.
weak decision might be involved, not
the happiness of a few months or a,
year, but OF a whole lifetime, perhaps.
Klnsey was indeed a bad man. His
character, his principles, were, as Mr..
Seldom said, bad, and his associates
were Of the came low order. He was in
capable of truly loving a. woman, for
1T is not possible for man who lacks
morality to do so.
Kinsey was of wealthy
family, and when his thoughts first
turned to matrimony, he began look
ing around for wife and no one struck
his fancy so strongly as Dora Seldom,
who besides being wealthy, was beau
tlful and accomplished, and he re-
solved to win her.
Being handsome, intelligent, and of
a polite address, he was not long in
making the impression he desired,
and he quickly won the young heart
OF Dora Seldom.
Kinsey had secured in his interest,
Robert, servant in the family of Mr..
| Seldom.
He was informed Of the intended
eIopement, and employed to assist in
SITS execution. Meanwhile the utmost
lecrecy was enjoined upon him, and,
by promises of reward, his faithful
ness was, as Kinsey thought, secured.
But under secret Of such great i'm
Importance, concerning the welfare Of
his master, he found it hard to bear
up alone, and in a moment of conf
dence he divulged to another servant,
from whom he first exacted a
promise of secrecy, the fact of Dora's
intended departure. This servant
more conscientious than Robert, and
fearful OF what the result might be,
impaired the newly-gotten Informal
ton to his master, who made prepa-
rations accordingly.
On the next day Mr.. Seldom left
town as Robert had informed Kinsey
he intended to do.
Thefollowing night was asolemn and
dreary one for Dora Seldom. No sleep
came to her wakeful eyes, and all
night long she either walked the floor
of her room or lay idly on the bed.
At the break of dawn she was to pass
into the protection of another, leav-
ing forever the home of her youth.
AS she tried to look into the dark fu-
ture, her heart grew faint, and she
hesitated about the step she was to
take in the early morning.
At last faint streak of light was
seen in the east and gradually dawn
appeared.
Presently knock sounded softly
at the door. Gliding across the room,
Dora quickly opened it.
sis all arranged, Robert?" asked
Dora in tremulous tone
"All is arranged" replied the man
"Be quick he is waiting"
After a hurried preparation she
went noiselessly down the stairs. AS
she reached the open air, Kinsey, who
was impatiently awaiting her at the
door, assisted her to the carriage ir
waiting, handing as he did so, a purse
OF money to the servant as his prom
Used reward.
"Where am I to driver" inquired the
driver of the vehicle.
| "To Mr.. Courath's, and see that ne
1 time is lost,' answered Kinsey, anc
the horses sped swiftly away.
Mr.. Courath was the minister who
had been engaged to marry the elop
l ing couple. He lived but a short dis
= tance from the handsome country
residence of Mr. Seldom.
Ere many minutes, the carriag
rolled up at the minister's house
: Kinsey descended and with Dor;
| hastily entered the house.
r AS they disappeared another car
rage drove at rapid pace.
The young couple were already OF
the floor, and the minister was abou
1 to begin the ceremony, when the doc
was gently pushed open and mai
! entered. The backs of the fugitive
were turned toward him and so quiet
=. ly had he entered that no one eXcep
the minister was aware OF his presence
4 The divine did not allow the Intrusion
+ to interfere with his occupation. H
had come to that part of the cere
mony in which it is demanded of thos
e present to show cause why partie
about to be Joined in holy wedloc
cannot lawfully enter that state, whe1
y the door was thrown suddenly ope
and woman rushed in, exclaiming-
s II forbid the banns!''
/ "What right have you to forbi
f. them? Who are your" asked tn
minister in an agitated voice.
u The would-be bride and bride groom
turned and looked with feverish be
t wilderment at the woman and man.
r "Miss Seldom" said the woman ar
0 preaching Dora and grasping he
= arm, you have no right to this mar
He belongs to me by a former clair
, that cannot be disputed. Here
your natural protector, your father,
t and she drew her across the roor
t towards the man, into whose arm
: she sank, completely overcome wit
so dreadful termination other elope
l ment-"and in the name of heaven,
n continued the woman, ''let no ma
4 like this tempt you from his sid
T. again"
With shame and confusion picture
y on his face, Kinsey stood before tn
= cOmnaniOn If his reckless DAVIS scarce