Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1896-03-19


there, with a high dog-cart and she
was soon speeding along the level road
to Bratton. She was hardly nervous;
there was a glow of elation on her
cheek and she laughed and talked so
gayly and was so delighted to find that
De Marsac was first-rate whip that
he looked at her from time to time
with real admiration and had once no
need TO stimulate the warmth with
which his batteries were breathed into
her ears.
A moldy little church in the poorest
part Of the town. sleepy clergyman
in a nlmbled surplice, stolid pew
opener to give the bride away--these
adjuncts of Constance's wedding would
have afforded her the keenest dissatis-
faction but for the fact that she was
enjoying all the fiutter and excitement
of an elopement The sense that she
was doing something original and ro-
mantle sustained her so tina she
scarcely noticed the squalor OF her sur
roundings, and her love for Rene de
Marsac filled her imagination with a
roseate glow, by which all things
looked beautiful She had only one
tremor-w when, after signing the re-
gister In the vestry, Rene took her
in his arms and kissed her passionate
ly. MY wife, he said, and the UNI
accustomed word sent thrill to Con-
stances hard and worldly heart.
"Oh, Rener she said, clinging to
him, little wildly. you will love me?
You will be good to me, will you note
He was very much amazed Such a
demonstration of timidity and emotion
aback There was an accent of re-
proof as he begged her to trust him
alwavs and to be silent. The bat
tered, broken-down curate was looking
at them with a faint surprise in his
dim eyes, He began to wonder whether
there was anything wrong in this early
marriage and what he ought to do If
1t was runaway match. However,
he reflected 1t was too late to do any
thing now and the handsome fee that
De Marsac gave him had some effect in
sitting has misgivngs
And now, darling" said Rene, as
they drove back again to Hurst, you
must be very careful what you do.
You must not let anybody suspect"
Il shall be careful. of course" Con-
stance answered, composedly "But |
wish | were going away with you at
once"
De Marsac looked somewhat alarmed
That Is quite Impossible for the
present. he said, with decision You
know we must wait until you are 81
"Oh. yes, | know that said Con-
stance. MY uncle could revoke that
deed of gift II he liked; but when
am of age the money will be in my
own hands and / can do what | like"
Perhaps you can soften your aunt's
heart and bring her to give her con-
sent" said Rene, softly.
Constance shook her head with de-
cision. II should be afraid to try
You do not know my aunt And you
know, Rene, there Is that girl Madeline
Despard in the background"
How do You mean?" said Rene
though he knew perfectly well
Surely you know that she Is my
aunt's great-niece? She is the grand
daughter of Gen. Armstrong, Lady Els
ler's brother. If were to get out of
favor she might supplant me, you
know. She Is nearer to Lady Esler
than / am, | have always been rather
surprised my aunt did not adopt her
instead of me"
"She did not like the girls parents
suppose?"
She hates the father. And no won
der. He is thorough going scound' l.
believe Still, Madeline herself is
rather pretty and she might make an
impression If my aunt were to see
her"
you must keep them apart Don't
let that little vixen get footing ut
Hurst, Constance"
"If she did, think | should make
her lose 1t again" said Contance, with
a curious CLEAN In her eye. "But |
don't suppose that ] shall ever have
the chance. Should you not like to
lay her out for her meanness to rs
that day."
'It certainly would give me pleasure
to see Miss Madeline suffer a little,
said De Marsae, Ticking his whip at
the horses side But you need not
be afraid; can always put spoke In
her wheel If I choose"
Can you, Rene? How?'
"Ah. that Is my secret. But let us
not talk of her. We have better things
to think Of now. When can we meet
again."
And they plunged into eager talk Of
their future meetings and their love
for one another love so strangely
mixed with the baser passions Of am
bition and vanity and greed.
Constance was only few minutes
late for breakfast She came into the
dinlng-room glowing with health and
suppressed excitement, 80 that even
Lady Esler noticed the brilIiance Of
her eyes and cheeks.