Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-10-28


took their places; tho rite began.
Vincent Neale listened as though he
were listening to his own death SEN
tence. For at the sight Of that small
pale face he knew that he loved Lena
Carteris still!
There was a moments pause In the
service, ere the rector's sonorous voice
put the fateful question: "Wilt thou
have this woman for thy welded
wife?"
In low but perfectly clear tone, that
penetrated to every corner OF the
church.
Then came the counter question:
wilt thou have this man to be thy
welded husband?" And In a voice
clear as a silver bell the bride answer
ed:
"No!"
The rector stared at her, and a deep
frown gathered on his face.
do you mean this?" he asked, bend
ing over the communion rails.
YES" she said.
Mrs. Annesley advanced, took the
brides arm, and Kissed something IN
her ear
Mamma, let go my arm. You are
hurting me cruelty, as you know" said
Lena calmly.
I'VE must have no wrangling here"
cried the clergyman sternly.
For ten years l have been slave.
Today l am 81 years old. and-free"
answered the girl quietly.
Vincent stood literally stupefied with
amazement. His surprise was almost
greater than his joy. Was this his
gentle, patient Lena?
AS she turned about to come away
she boldly faced the wondering crowd
and searched it with her eyes. Vim
cent caught her look, and bright
smile lit up her face.
"Good-by, my Lord" she said to
Lord Wrexham at the church door.
''You knew we'll l was an unwilling
bride, or I would never have treated
you in this way"
The colonel advanced and seized her
arm.
LET go. sir, or I will appeal to the
police for protection" she said, almost
In whisper, and the colonel drew
back.
A woman came forward out Of the
crowd, threw a dark cloak over the
girls bridal finery and led her away
to the lodging she had already engag-
ed. Vincent took the liberty Of fol-
lowing her, and she had hardly reached
her new abode when she found him
in her sitting-room, and a moment
later felt herself clasped in his strong,
encircling arms.
How could you fiDd courage to do
such a thing, Lena?" he asked when
the first rapture Of their reunion was
over. "And why did you not give me
some hope all these months?"
"Because-well, I wanted to see
whether you loved me as much as I
loved you. And it was better, dearest.
II my stepfather had known that still
cared for you my life would have been
one of ceaseless torment 1t was much
better to wait till / was of age, and
then free myself with one blow. But
you must go now, my own"
mot till you tell me when your real
wedding is to be-"
Nonsense, sir"
Lenas pale face flushed crimson.
will this day month do, my dar-
ling?"
He got no answer in words, but that
day month Lena and he were really
and truly married.
After the young couple had returned
from their honeymoon, Vincent was
curious enough to go to Somerset house
and take look at the will of Lena's
father. To his amazement he discov-
cred that there was provision in 1t
by which the widow was to lose her in
terest In the bulk of Mr.. Carteris' for
tune If she married a second time. This
fact had been carefully concealed from
Lena, and Vincent understood why the
match with Lord Wrexham had been
arranged. The earl was very wealthy
man, and he had been determined to
make Lena his wife. No doubt the
colonel had said to him: 81 will see
that the girl marries you, but I ex-
pect that you will make no inconveLi-
ent inquiries about her money"
In the end, the colonel who had
managed to get everything into his
own hands. was compelled to disgorge
Lenas fortune, or rather what was left