The morning times., 1896-01-12

land he could scarce control an outburst @
feeling, while the olher looked doubtful.
But suppose she does not act he
part?" sssS-~7
..Wby, then we win simply be a whppe
4 pair, and the world Will be none til
wiser s.Jt..
..But what about the magistrate and tn
witDess?' y4s&a :
They'd never know the cause, and, Dt
sides, money always gains Bu
leave IL all to me, and III be everlasting.
indebted to you n,you-ar not a marrie'
man before one 5~s8a.
1--WE had better not run the risk. il
now nearly seven, and must be going, o
the dear girl VIII be kept waiting"
go ahead. III haye-au arranged ant
be there by twelve sharp. What IS the LADY
full name?'' sssssz-esss,- =
mo, don't do that" -ss-
"Yes, sir; the plan shall be carried out
You may as well not oppose What is hel
Dame?'
elizabeth Wilcox. But IL is perfectly
useless for you to come. ] could not b'
party to such an Infamous scheme
"Oh, you'll change your mind. Look fol
me at twelve. Good-by till thcD.'
| "Good might" -
i -
was blowing furiously from the northwest
making the large houses ereak and sshase
and causing the tail trees TO wYithe and
wrench until it appeared tiat their limbs
| would be riven asunder. With the exception
OF one young man the street was totally
abandoned. ---r---y- a.-j,f'lss
Excellent night for ghosts 10 walk"
muttered he between his teeth. 4 WEN
der If that somnaInbuiist viii have sense
enough to remain her room Tonight"
Pulling HIS coat closer over him and
looking around as if to make Sure that no
uDsighuy ghost shadoYed his. path, lie
quickened his already rapid pace.
Il believe this is the place,nahe said,
entering house and ringing the bell. The
door soon opened, wheAcetwo offers Coined
him.
1T is already twelve said the new
conner. Have You the Iiceuse?"-,lsi asz
''All prepared" answered one of them.
'S,range time and place
You must remember impatiently
interrupted the first speaker, that You
are paid TO perform the ceremony, and be-
yond that neither OF you Is to open his
mouth
Il fully understand" answered he, not
a little stung by the sharp reply. The
three men then sought their way silently
through the darkness tI the depot, and
soon ushered themselves into the waiting
room which was dimly lighted by badly
smoked lamp. The leader hurried 10
another room, leaving his Companions 10
hover over the last lingering sparks OF the
days fire which now smouldered in the
little heating stove. sezsss-s s---, ~
The leader entered the telegraph office,
where Redwine rose evidently agitated at
his appearance. The office had no other
occupant save woman WHO stood over the
telegraph table. A large bonnet almost
sl...lk -
form was enyeloped in a long gossamer.
Wrapped as she was, George Arlington
could not help fancying that he saw the
peculiar qualities which characterized this
woman. She was short and plump, her
form indicating that she was one of those
little women possessed of an
excellent nature and a jovial disposiilon-
in simplicity and beautiful in
Her face was full and round,
not noted for beauty, bus remarkable for
ma gnetism.
A fierce argument ensued between. The
young men. For long TIME each spoke
with spirit and vehenence, while thesmen
In the other room paced the floor impa-
uenuy. During the debate. so eager was
each TO carry his point. neither OF them
noticed the actions OF the girl.
Nearly an hour had elapsed. when Oscar
turning 10 the table, took the hand of the
unconscious girl. and, placing her hand
IN his own. started toward the other room.
Wait" whispered George, excitedly;
see If she is going to betray u.s.
"Will You marry me?" asked Oscar.
She nodded affirmatively.
Don't you hate me?"- - - -ssE ~ !
The same motion was repeated.
Oscar looked sgitatetf @ffieT George !
tried TO smother his nlfr;h with his hand I
kerchief.
The ceremony was performed, and the I
two men, unaware Of the treachery TO 4
which they had been accessory. returned to 4
their homes. The Others went hack 10 the I
office, Oscar to sit before tie fire and re-
sret his action from the lowest depths of I
MS soul; Elizabeth 10 return 10 the tcle-
graph table, dreaming that her daily de-
ties would soon he over, hut being uEin-
formed by any goddess of that land OF vis-
on that this was q most important nc
nent in Eer young life; while George rC-
NAMED to view developments. triumphant
over his success.
4 half hour later the upSo onsciols bride
,ut out the current. made necessary prcE-
irations for closing Up, siidsefs tie efssess
ieorge, after again congra tulating Oscar,
oon took his departure. e'@ 'sss>Ss--i
Oscar Redwine was in aedlemnla. The
,oor, weak, tinIid fellow racked his brain l
until both fertile and harreu spots had
)een TILED afresh. in the vain hope that
ome place might give birth 10 some soiu-
ion of the periious position. The very
houSht or ooDfessins to his wife terrified
lim. Wife! Tie word itself filled him with
lismay.
George advised him to make conquest
4 the lady's heart. When that should be
voD the difficulty would be removed. Ba.
Elizabeth was so abomiDabiy aud prcvok-
ngly coquettish that he never could ap. Il
roach her. When he. was hopeful she
ut his courage to flight, when he was 7
respondent she was gay and hilarious, first
then ridiculng.
Poor GIRL be woiIid moan, "hoY she
yould change If she only knew" He i'm
lored George to be spokesman. but that
entlemau did not think himself the prop
r person. He next resolved to end his
liserable life with laudanum, but could
ot think of taking such an important
tep without the advice of George, WHO as
matter of course, dissuaded him. Drown
,g would be au excellent ED. He forth
With sought the pond, but of course
trangling man. Here he hyste ricauy
lanked his preserver, but wished that he I ]
ad been permitted to'tlie.
At length, however, the crisis came. /;
Gorge swore that hewould publish an ae- I
ount OF the marriage in the paper in three
ays, If Oscar did not tell all to his wife
scar could not muster courage to face ]
er wrath, so he decided to write Two | {
hole days and nights were spent in the {
of the letter. His apologies | s
ere numerous and his offers K treme.- He
ould join the army of Japan. go into the
Ingles OF Africa, become food for the canni-
ais. or do anything else she might think |
ecessary TO ma ke atonement- Never once