The record-union., 1897-04-18

| for the present." said Jenny in a pro-
sale tone, and you must marry me
there by special license"
| Dearest" / cried in alarm, "a spe-
cial license is expensive
What is expense to love, Philibert?
If you do not want me, leave me to be
married to your rival
This was too much, so even with the
] prospect of an expensive license,
swore and vowed to fly with her. We
arranged to meet on the third night.
was to have a dog cart in readiness,
and we We're to drive to Pottlebury Sta
ton, there to catch the $50 express
She was to stay with a relation in town
and the next day we were to be married
by special license. Thus did we hope to
battle the dragon aunt and the monster
rival
And do not speak to me till the train
starts was Jenny's parting injunc-
ton; Il shall be so detected at leaving
| the old home that l shall not be able TO
J utter word
! This / promised, and We parted I
felt like Don Juan, like Rochester, like
the wicked poet Byron-for was [ not
! about to elope with the fairest of
women? All my arrangements were
made with the utmost secrecy; and on
the appointed night at the appointed
hour, I was in the Nightingale Lane
sweet name-with a dog cart and a
groom. ] was forced to have an incon-
venietn third, as 1 cannot drive. and l
must admit it was unpleasant that Jen-
ny should sit beside my servant. while
1 chung perilously on to the back seat.
| rpcrpTtp6 that T ha no
brougham. But who can remember all
/ things in the sweet madness of love?
Jenny was dressed in black and deep
ly yelled. She carried a handbag, and
trembled visibly when. in the presence
of the groom, l pressed kiss on her
hidden brow. No word was spoken by
me during that wild drive to the sta
ton, as 1 was fully occupied in holding
on to the back seat; and not even when
we paced the platform did l dare to
| breathe a tender verse lest she should
| break down. 1 had engaged third
class compartment only, as a set-off
against the expense of the license; but
this we had all to ourselves. The ex-
press steamed up; we stepped on board.
and in few minutes the iron steed was
bearing my Jenny and me to London
and married bliss
| Dare 1 write what followed? Dare
I relate the cruelty of Fate, the atroc-
ity of the crime committed by perfid-
| ious woman against my poetic soul? 1
| dare! l must! And if l grow some
what incoherent, can you wonder at it?
| For one sublime instant 1 was soaring
in a transcendental heaven of supreme
| bliss; the next, and I had dropped to
earth-to earth, say I?-nay, lower
to nethermost hell. This is strong,
| but the situation deserves it.
Alone in the carriage with my be-
| loved, 1 seated myself by her side and
clasped her sweet hands. She leaned
| towards ME with a faint sigh.
| sweetheart, you are safe. Fear not
your cruel aunt or the vile Montieth.
| Tonight you shall sleep beneath the
roof of your relation; tomorrow you
shall be Mrs. Pottlebury and my queen,
by special license"
Where is it?" she murmured, with a
slight Sob
| l produced the precious document,
which authorized a marriage between
! PhiGbert Josiah Pottlebury, bachelor,
and Jane barrow, spinster. I pressed
it into her hand and kissed her shroud-
ed face with tender ecstasy.
"Oh lift that veil" l implored. go
ing on my knees which was extremely
difficult in so narrow a space; let my
eyes feast on the loneliness of your
gracious features"
In response to my entreaty, she
turned towards me with modest coy
ness; she slowly raised her veil, and
the yellow light of the lamp famed on
her visage. 1 utter gurgle, for was
| beyond shrieking-on all-fours l
writhed on the f1oor-I glared with
fixed eyeballs, for there-there, smil-
| ing above me with the malice of a
| fiend, was-the Aunt!
80 you recognize me at last, Mr..
Pottlebury?" she said quietly.
| 1 clutched at my throat, and laughed
| Historically. Reason reeled on her
! throne; and the deceptive creature saw
this, for she lifted me from the floor,
and deposited me- a moral and phys
ical ruin, on the cushions of the car
riage. Furthermore, she produced a
flask of brandy, and held it to my pal
lid lips.
| Il thought you would need this she
said, when had swallowed little. 80
l brought it in case Jenny reminded
me of it-dear girl
Jenny? Woman, what do you
mean?''
| What 1 say replied this elderly
| fiend. sit up, Mr.. Pottlebury, and
settle your tie; take another drink of
brandy and listen. We have much to
say to one another. and I always hold"
she added maliciously that perfect
| confidence should exist between hus-
| band and wife,
I'VE are not husband and wife,
No; but we will be tomorrow, by
special license"
| ''Neveri 1t is not you I love, but
my Jenny. Where is my Jenny?''
AT Pottlebury with Mr. Montieth.
| They are engaged to be married, you
know"
| 1 shrieked and CRASHED my teeth.
She hates him." cried 1 fiercely
Indeed she doesn't" said Miss OAR
row coolly; that was your mistake
Jenny is deeply in love with Mr. Mon
| teith, as she has every right to be- He
| is handsome man; you are foolish,
silly creature
'1?"
Eyes, you; remarkably ugly person. If
you had been wise you would have seen
that my niece was making use of you as
tool the whole time
Il don't quite understand" 1 STAN
mered
That is because of your limited. in
| telligence," she retorted scornfully. 81
shall explain. AS l told you Jenny loses
her income if she rparriac without INV