The Wilmington daily Republican., 1895-08-13

condition Of her assistance. II Is marriage.
On receipt of Mr.. Hillier's reply Miss Marston
win arrange for an interview.
In my rago tore the letter across. This,
then, was the price of my Diplomat Mar
riage with a woman had never seen,
whose age did not knowl
But cooled down when its hbsurdity
became apparent. Miss Marston was mad,
of course. Some Of my friends had stead
fastly maintained that only crazy wom-
an would have lent money to o stranger
on such terms.
caught an express to Worcester, whence
I drove to Woodbury., the village where
was born, and NelIs home
I shall never forget our interview. Nell
listened to my story and read thd torn let
ter attentively. How hated those point
cd characters now
you must keep your word, Andrew"
she said in o cold, matter Of fact tone that
reused my anger and Indignation to boil
ing point.
81 can't, and won'tp' I cried. IT love
you-you, Nell, and you know. III It's too
absurd The woman is a lunatidp
"Hush," she interrupted, "ydu didn't
say that when she lent you, q stranger, the
money which has made you what you are"
True" answered in o choking voice,
"but others did. I am very ungtateful to
expect 1t perhaps. Still didn't expect
such cold counsel from you, Nell. should
have asked you long since to be engaged to
mo but for that confounded ff fst condi-
tion.'
Pray do not forget that you are plcdg-
ed to another" she rejoined.
I'm not pledged" shouted, "and II
am I'll break thousand words before I'll
marry any one but you'll The whole thing
is ridiculousi How Is 1t that you can't see
itf"
II suppose" she answered slowly and
gravely, lit is because l have been brought
up to consider my pledged word sacred.
Perhaps If you were to sec Miss Marston
and explain she might let you off. II she
will do so freely, then might listen to
you"
"You don't care straw for mei' burst
out. "You never have cared for me- III
go and interview the old cronei"
She laughed. At that momeut hated
her. With her laughter ringing iii my ears
rushed from the house.
On my return to town / wrote o brief
noto to the effect that would To pleased
to meet Miss Marston at any place she
might appoint. Three days passed before
I received her answer, but my disgust had
not lessened.
1 can scarcely explain my feelings, but
know Twas convinced thar death tiy drown
ing or by apy of the more or less pleasant
ways with which I, as medical man, was
acquainted, would be far moro preferable
than marriage with my ancient benefao-
tress
In this mood Twas conducted up broad
staircase, along corridor and ushered In
TO the presence of-Nelll
$50 you have Gomez" she aid quito
cheerfully. II hardly expected ypu."
"Youl' cried. "You expected mel
How is 1t you are here9"
She smiled
"Andrew, didn't you know that my
name was Ellen Marston HerbertR''
"Great heaveni Then it is you you
"That you are pledged to marry"
"But Nell, said five minutes after
ward, "I don't understand, How did you
know the advertisement was from meP''
She took an envelope from her pocket,
and from that piece Of blotting paper.
There was mirror over the fireplace, and
she held the blotting paper so that could
read the words It bore saw Paul Blake's
effusion-the advertisement itselfl
'I came to town" she explained, ITO
offer you assistance, which j feared your
pride would not let you accept. While
waiting In your rooms took up your blot
ting pad. / dare say you win think me
very inquisitiye, but, having read 10 much,
could not resist the temptation to try
and decipher the rest. BY the help of your
mirror did it. Next day looked through
the morning papers, and you know what
followed
We were married three months after
ward. Paul Blake was my "best man."