Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-06-03

my misery a single symptom of alienation
on the part of this despieabie woman. To
have abandoned me in misfortune: to have
seized such an opportunity! The case was
utterly inexplicable, except on the ground
of natural depravty.
six months later. and the day of the
trial came at length. My wife did not
appear, nor did the lad who had brought
her to her shameful position. The pro-
ceedings were little more than formal. and
in less than an hour l was free man.
"A few days after the trial, 1 received a
letter from my uncle's lawyer. reminding
NE of the limited time left for the fulfil
ment Of the conditions of the will respect
ing my re-marriage. Had I any ideas in
that direction? he inquired If not. he
would take the liberty of asking permits
sion TO introduce me to a lady of whose
charms and virtues he had the highest
opinion.
The suggestion was ineXpressibly re-
pugnant TO me. but having gone through
so much for this purpose, I felt ashamed
10 tell my old friend that I would go no
further. I went to him accordingly, and,
after a few preliminaries, began to ques-
ton him about the lady. He answered me
in a nervous and hesitating manner by no
means usual with him.
"'The fact is, he said, that the lady
has a curious history. but one which,
when you understand it, 1 am sure You
will agree, conveys no reflection upon her.
She has been divorced
"'What" I exclaimed. You surely do
ba oft
perierce, I would marry a divorced wo-
! MANI
Hear the story and see the lady before
you decide replied the lawyer. The case
is q most extraordinary one The lady de-
sired. for reasons most honorable to her
self. to have her marriage annulled. For
this purpose. she devised a most elaborate
| scheme for imposing on the court-a gross
I ~ irregular and improper proceeding, 1
am bound to say. but the young lady was
not a solicitor. She had two intimate
/ friends, who became her accomplices-a
brother and sister. There was a strong
| likeness between the two. 1t was ar
ranged that the sister should assume the
| brothers clothes and character, and pose s
her friends lover. The wife actually went
| to reside with the supposed lover. having
/ first taken steps to insure that her hus-
band should become appraised of the facts.
The husband fell into the trap. traced the
| guilty para pair of designing damsels-
obtained his evidence. commenced his suit,
! and eventually obtained his divorce. The
wife was freed-her honor saved
Stop I cried. struck not less by the
recital than by the old mans manner.
What is the meaning of it all? Is it pos
| sible-'
Before I could say more the lawyer had
opened one Of the doors, and I saw my lost
wife advancing, half smiles. half tears
"You dear, stupid Harry, she cried.
Gould you really believe so badly of me
as not to see through plot which was
all for your own good?'
"In a moment she was in my arms, and
I saw Mile. b, the guilty correspondent
smiling upon us in the background"
! eve were remarked in a few days. The
governors OF the charity. which thus lost
! its interest under my uncle's will, threat
ened litigation and talked OF 'collusion.'
But they had no evidence to go upon: the
promise of a handsome annual subscrip-
| ton speedily quoted them: and and my
wife were left to begin our second spell Of
| married life in peace"