The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1896-10-22
BLUE Boards BRIDE.
By FRANCIS HENsuaW IiAgFN

-NCHs lLtiAA1 ,NOt AitAF' Sl4CHAA iAiN
alli your beautiful dresses, and the
crowning glory OF the imported bridal
dress from Worth's, and all your
splendid Jewels. Now | want you to
show me the greatest treasure OF all
the picture of the happy man"
The scene was the boudoir of a
bride elect in one Of the most magni
ficent mansions on Fifth Avenue
The speaker. LOttie Summers, a frank,
handsome. resolute looking young
lady, of some twenty years Of age.
| Miss Lottie had come from her distant
Southern home to act as brides maid
at the approaching wedding of her
school mate and dear friend. Miss
DOrmer
Laura Dormer was the only child
and heiress of late New York bank
er Of great wealth She was now
living under the guardianship Of an
aged grandmother, whose happiness
was to spoil her darling child.
Beautiful, accomplished ana wealthy
Laura was admired very much, and
her hand sought by many. For four
years she had reigned as belle, and
until she was twenty-five no one had
succeeded in making more than a
passing impression on her.
"Will you never yield that stubborn
heart of yours, Laura?" her grand
mother had asked, adding" | should
like TO know you safe within the pro
tecting arms Of true, good husband,
before | leave yOu, dear
Laura answered, with her arms
lovingly clasping the aged form:
Time enough, grandma. And if
you will just try, do think you may
live for many years yet You are
only seventy, and folks do I've to be a
hundred"
Yes, yes, dear, but it is better to
have our house in order | would
like to be a great grandma. hnt | am
content IN His will, having myself
but one wish for the future, and that
for my darling's happiness" said the
old lady, in a sweet, lew tone
well, grandma, dear, rest easy
about Iny heart; stubborn as it has
been it may yield before long, and
when ] have learned to love, you know
what it will be, yon know how [ can
lOye, don't you"
This was said a few days after
Laura had met, for the first time, the
one who afterward won her promise
to be his, much to the surprise of all
her friends.
He was nearly twenty years older
than Laura, handsome enough, Ger
tainly, but grave almost to melan-
choly.
The bad taste she had eyinced in
her selection, as they considered it,
was very much to the disgust of her
younger and gayer suitors.
Laura was very happy in her choice,
and Grandma Dormer well pleased,
and urged speedy day for their
union
Lottie Summers had just arrived;
the wedding was to be the next day.
All the elegant trosseau had been
examined and admired; and then Lot
tie begged to be shown the likeness
of the favored one
Laura, opening a jewel case, drew
forth and handed her friend the mini
ature, saying:
Look now, and tell me If he is not
the handsomest man you ever saw?
Has he not a noble brow? His eyes"
she stopped suddenly
Lottie's bright face had undergone,
Ike magic, wonderful change. With
a look of adherence, she threw down
the picture, as Laura inquired,
anXiously:
What is the matter, L0ttie? Why
dO you look SO strangely"
Handsome. Noble! No, He is the
very worst man | ever knew, The
most atrocious wretchr Lottie ex
claimed, her eyes flashing, as she
continued: The diabolical monster,
To dare to make love to you"
'Lottie, Lottie. you have surely
lost your mind. What do you mean
by such dreadful language" cried
Laura.
Il mean Just what 1 have said,
Iaat he Is a wretch, monster, a
perfect Blue Beard"
Hush. How dare you speak so Of
him to me2 Oh, but | know It's not
of my love you are talking. His pic
ture is like someone you have known.
Come, tell me what you mean, that |
may correct the mistake you have
made" Laura said her face still pale
with anxiety.
Yes, | Will explain; but there is no
mistake. Oh, that face is most
terrible one to me. 1t is ten years
since | last saw it; but with the dread
ful scene of that day, it is 50 engraven
on my mind and heart, that neither
can ever be forgotten. Laura darling.
you must give him up, Thank
Heaven. | am in time TO saye you.
Yes, even though it may break your
heart, you must cast him forth"
'Lottie, what fearful words you are
saying. Explain-do Do You see |
am almost dying with terror, Give
up. Cast forth. No no." the poor
girl cried, pale and trembling.
Yes, Laura, You must, You Will
cast him entirelyi from your heart,
when You know him as l do. The
wretch. Now while seeking to make
yoa his, he has two living wivesm
NO, no; It's false, You mistake
him for some other"' Laura cried.
Il do not mistake. After | have
told you my story | will confront
him. And you viii know then what
an atrCc cious wretch he. Is. | never
imagined the Henry Read you wrote
me of was the man who desolated NV
home, and broke the heart of one
very dear to me- You have heard me
speak of my aunt Sister Agnes) Ten
years ago that man won her heart,
and led her to the alter They were
married."
"Oh, no, no! l will not believe itr'
Laura cried out, and then sank back.
sobbing, on the sofa.
Yes, he married her. Three days
after the happy bride was in the
| beautiful homo fn which bo baJ aar