The Portland daily press., 1895-07-26
A BIT OF REAL LIFE.

Il Dill vi ZEAL LlF Il.
In 1S45 the inhabitants of the city Of
c. in Ohio were amazed to learn that
Mr.. Warner, an old and respected citizen,
bad gone off and married Margaret Dorm, a
woman very much his inferior, with moth
ing to recommend her but a bright COM
plexion, blue eyes and pretty Irish face.
Margaret Dorm occupied a small but
neat cottage not far from Mr.. Warner 8
home, and any morning she might be found
picking the weeds out of her little garden,
gathering flowers to brighten her solitary
home or clipping the withered leaves from
the bright yellow marigolds that bordered
the path leading to the little white door on
which the brass knocker shone SO brilliant
ly in the sunlight.
People for miles around would stop at
Margaret's door with orders for fancy
work, mending, embroidery, etc. Her
marvellous ability with needle had been
the means of supporting her comfortably
for years.
Mr.. Warmers maiden aunt was a pa
troness Of Margaret, and often asked her
nephew to call for or leave package on
his way to or from business. In this way
Margaret and Mr.. Warner became quite
good friends. The latter, being suscepti-
Bile bachelor, fell into the willy clutches Of
the pretty Irish woman.
Ere long Margaret learned to watch reg
ularly for her admirer. Months passed,
and four or five nights week Mr.. Warner
would find his way round to the little cot
tage where Margaret strove to make things
as homelike and cozy as possible, in order
not only to fascinate her lover, but to en-
hance his infatuation.
One winters eve, when the wind was
blowing perfect gale and hailstones were
beating against the pavement, Margaret
and Mr.. Warner drove off to the sheriff 8
house, situated in a beautiful park, where
the courthouse stood.
After knocking and knocking, but all in
vain, Mr.. Warner was about to turn away
and go home, when Margaret, weeping
pitifully, pleaded with him to rap again.
This last frantic knock succeeded In
arousing the sheriff, who grufiiy demand
ed, "Who's there?" "I am Mr. Williams,
and want you to marry me to this wom-
an"
The sheriff lighted a lamp, unbarred the
slipped into the magistrate's palm silenced
performed tho ceremony, pronouncing
them husband and wife.
A more uncanny scene cannot be con-
ceived, as tho rain beat on all sides Of the
carriage which conveyed the weeping bride
q ~, S,.>s,
homes.
Mr.. Warner had made Margaret his
wife, and then cruelty left her on that aw-
full wedding night-he to make his abode,
as usual, with his aunt, and she to care for
herself in her own little home,
AS Margaret became less able to work
Mr.. Warner sent her checks from time to
time, which enabled her to employ mid.
die aged woman as nurse and housekeeper,
and when, few months later, a little girl
was born Margaret felt that at least now
she had a daughter to work for and to love,
even if her husband had deserted her.
The mother regained her streagth, car
ing for and nourishing her little girl, who
was such comfort and q Joy in tho little
home.
Three years passed, and Julia, toddling
about the house. playing with her little
toys, was familiar figure or prancing on
the lawn with her pet dog. Passersby Of
ten halted to admire this bright, vivacious
little girl who was so radiantly lovely, her
little gingham frock and huge sunbonnet
seeming only to add greater charm to her
freshness and purity.
The child had inherited her mothers
beauty which had captured the father In
years gone by.
Mr.. Warner kept track of his daughter
and one morning, when her mother had
just stepped in the house for a moment he
enticea the child to follow him.
Julia was installed in the kindergarten
in connection with the young ladies' sem
mary in the town, and an extra amount
was paid for tuition, with the understand
ing that close vigil should be kept over
her.
AS for the mother, when she found that
the only light Of her life had been extin
guished and fully realized her inability to
recover her lost child grief overpowered
the poor woman and wrecked her health SO
materially that she was confined to a hos
pltal for months, and when convalescent
was removed to sanitarium.
The instructors learned to love the child.
who was not only beautiful to look upon,
but brilliant of intelleot and an apt scholar.
AS years advanced their charge steadily
progressed.
1t was Julia who was appointed to sing
little songs OF play upon the piano for the
entertainment of the boy students, who
were invited from a neighboring college to
attend the soirees given every Friday for
the mutual improvement and amusement
Of the boys and girls.
These evening fetes would close with
dancing and collation., and the boys and
girls brought together in this way formed
stanch friendships
Julia. like many other girls who were
bright and witty, had dash of diablerie
in her makeup.
Her fancy inclined toward one Of these
boy visitors, senior, when she was but a
girl of Is, in one of the lower grades.
When out promenading, she would steal
away from the class to catch a glimpse of
Howard at his study window, who, know
ing the hour for recreation, was on the
alert for the young ladies with their tutor.
Sundays, by special permission, the
young ladies were allowed escorts to and
from chanel and on these walks Howard