San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1895-08-05
the marriage ceremony nor ever
isneak to Gerald Clemens. Jr.

4
defiance of all opposition and pro-
test. A few hours before the hour
fixed for the marriage, on Septem'
Der Is, l84S, Gertude's only brother
George, reached home from Har.
ward college, at which he bad just
graduated. He had had leng in.
terview with his mother, and
when that had concluded he had
gone to Gertrude's room and COM
manded her to break off this hate
full marriage. His tone, manner,
looks and language were violent,
harsh and dictatOrial in the ex-
treme. Gertrude declined to break
off the marriage, and assuring him
with fearful and pathetic tender
ness that she had loved Gerald
from her childhood with her eRtire
heart, and that her life's happiness
depended On her marrying him,
she besougRt and adjured him to
cease to oppose her union with
Gerald Clemens. any only and
darling brother, you know how
devotedly dove you, and L en-
treat you not to wreck my happi-
ness, now it is about to be made
complete by my union with the
man whom / love. Oh, darling
brother, you know l would never
treat you so cruelty as to destroy
your happiness"
George Mangum withdrew from
Gertrude's room, without the least
show of relenting, and without
making the slightest promise to
cease opposing the marriage.
A few hours later, the spacious
and palstial Mangum residence
was crowded with the invited
guests. The Clemens carriage drove
up to the door, and Gerald Clemens
and his groomsmen descended from
1t, and were received by George
Mangum, who asked Gerald to al
low him to speak with him a few
moments. They walked away
about twenty-five steps so as to be
out of earshot, and in a minute or
two, two pistol shots were rung out
on the night air. A dozen men
rushed to the spot, where they dis.
covered Gerald Clemens lying on
the ground, bleeding and weak.
"Take me into the house quickly,
for, / am MORALLY wounded, and
must speedily die; George Man.
gum shot me without cause
or provocation. Break it to
Gertrude, poor girl, as gently, as
possible" Gertrude met them, at
the front door, in her bridal CO.'S
tune, and stopped down and kissed
Gerald, as though her heart was
in that passionate, loving kiss.
Her face was colorless, but her
voice was firm, as she babe them
Ito bear Gerald into her room and
begged some gentleman to request
the presence of the minister in her
room" Gerald was placed on the
bridal bed that was to have been,
and doctor examined his wounds.
"Gerald, you cannot live more than
couple OF hours; you are beyond
all help" said the doctor, between
sob and gulp. 81 am fully pre-
pared for the event." answered
Gerald. Gertrude placed her arms
around his neck and kissed him
fondly, saying: Darling, the min
lister Is here, and l wish him to
marry us at once. We have no time
to lose; If you are to die, you must
die as my husband" Gerald said
it was exactly what he desired.
They were married; Gerald lying
on the bed, propped up by pillows,
and Gertrude standing beside the
bed, with her right hand clasping
the right hand Of Gerald. There
was not dry eye in all the crowd.
An hour after, Gerald died. Gertrude
went,up to ,Gerald's parents an d
embracing them tenderly, said to
them. "Henceforth, you are my
parent. l intend to make my home
with you, in the future, and to be a
loving daughter to you. I wish
the body of my husband to be car
rled to your house and there pre-
pared for the grave. will go with
you in your carriage, if you will
take Gerald's body in the carriage :;
otherwise | shall go in the vehicle
, that takes his body. The sooner
we set out the better-I am stifled
in this accursed place" In short
J time, Gerald's body was placed in
a light express wagon, at full
length, and Gertrude seating her.
self on the floor OF the wagon, pill
lowed the head Of her husband on
her lap. She remained with Ger
J AIDS parents till she died, which
r event occurred three years after
' wards, from grief and brooding
| melancholy.
George Mangum Immediately on