Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1896-08-19

few months, called my aGtent1oA " euo
fact that a fresh marriage would be pos
sible within the time limit assigned by
the will and allowable by its loose
wording and advised me to be looking
! about meanwhile and making a choice.
The law pursued its course, citations
! were issued, the case was entered for
| trial. could not, if would, describe
nv state of mind during this period.
Was doubt possible? Were not the facts
clear? Yet could not remember in my
misery a single symptom of alienation
on the part Of this despicable woman.
To have abandoned me in my misfor-
tune, to have seized such an oppcrtu-
nifty! The case was utterly inexplicable
except on the ground Of natural deprav-
ity.
"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 was a free
man.
"a few days after the trial I received
letter from my uncle IS lawyer remind
ing me Of the limited time left for the
fulillment of the conditions of the will
respecting my marriage. Had / any
ideas in that direction? he inquired. If
not he would take the liberty of asking
permission. to introduce me to a lady Of
whose charms and virtues he had the
highest opinion.
s'The suggestion was inexpressibly
repugnant to me; but, having gone
through so much for this purpose. felt
ashamed to tell my. old friend I would
90 no farther. Iwent to him accordingly
and after few preliminaries began to
question him about the lady. He an
swered me in a nervous and hesitating
manner by no means usual with him.
9" sThe fact is, he said, that the lady
has curious history, but one which,
when you understand it, am sure you
will agree conveys no reflection upon
her. She has been divorced.
sWhat!' I exclaimed. You surely
do not seriously imagine that, after my
experience, would marry divorced
woman?'
Hear the story and see the lady be-
fore you decide, replied the lawyer.
THE case is a most extraordinary one.
The lady desired, for reasons most hon
orable to herself, to have her marriage
annulled. For this purpose she devised
an elaborate scheme for imposing on the
court-a grossly irregular and improper
proceeding, I am bound to say, but the
young lady was not solicitor. She had
two intimate friends, who became her
accomplices-a brother and sister.
There was strong likeness between
the two. It was arranged that the sister
should assume the brothers. clothes and
character and pose as her friends lover.
The wife actually went to reside with
the supposed lover, having first taken |
steps to insure that her husband should
become apprised of the facts. The hus
band fell into the trap, traced the guilty
pair-a designing pair of damsels-ob
tanned his evidence, commenced suit
and eventually obtained his divorce.
His wife was freed-her honor savedp
-" 'StopP cried, struck not less by
the recital than by the old mans man
ner What is the meaning Of it all? Is
it possible
''Before 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?'
SIN a moment she was i'll my arms,
and I saw Nine. B., the guilty core
spondent, smiling upon us in the back
xouad.
We were remarked i'll a few days. |
The governors Of the charity, which
thus lost its interest under my uncle's
will. threatened litigation and talked of
scollusion. But they hal no evidence
to go upon. The promise ct handsome
annual subscription speedily quietedj
them, ssidi ard my wife were left to
begin our second spell OF married. lite -
peace. London Truth. IS /
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