The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-07-05

sition she agreed without demur Or hesi.
tation.
He refrained from mentioning creerss
name, and he was Particularly careful
not to let her know that he had any inti-
nation OF her rich Inheritance. He
wanted her to rest under the impression
that he was marrying her solely for hcr-
self.
He went home in high spirits, and
when he met Gregg on the rond he felt so
strongly inclined to crow over him that
1t was with difficulty that he restrained
himself. As II was he tossed his head
with superior air aud smiled knowing
", but even in that moment OF exultation
he found himself wishing that the widow
was not quite so homely and sour as to
be altogether repulsive.
The next day the wedding took place nt
the widows house. land Immediately aft
erward Thornton started back home with
his WIFE Gregg's house was two or
three miles out OF his way, but he was so
anxious to let Gregg know how complete
" he had defeated him that he drove
around that way. He was disappointed
in finding Gregg not at home.
Where Is hep" he asked of Gregg's
housekeeper.
81 don't know" she replied, "but
think he has gone somewhere to get mar
ried."
"Ah. who is he going to marry. won
der?
81 think it is Mrs. Brown"
Thornton chuckled. lie had played It
on his rival better than he had expected.
He had snatched his bride and her for
tune right out of bis hands. Wouldn't
Gregg feel cheap when he discovered
how smoothly and completely he had
been beaten? Thornton was so pleased
that he was almost tempted to embrace
and kiss his new wife in spite of all her
LONELINESS. AS he drove off he called
back to Gregg's housekeeper:
Il have just been and got married my
self, and ] wish you would tell Gregg
about it when he comes home Tell him
I'd be pleased to have him call over and
visit us and bring his wife-when he gets
one"
Two days passed. Thornton saw nor
heard nothing of Gregg. He was only
slightly surprised at this. Gregg was at
home, no doubt, sulking over his defeat
1t occurred to Thornton that he could
make his rivals defeat more bitter BIZ
tantalizing him little.
Accordingly he hitched up his horses
and took his wife out for a ride. He
drove straight to Gregg's house. He
would parade his wife and his happiness
right before Gregg's eyes.
Sure enough, when he drove up, there
was Gregg sitting on his front porch. He
was alone and, Thornton imagined, dis
consulate. Thornton chuckled, and his
race beamed with JOY. He had made his
rival feel the sting of defeat, and now be
would press the sting in deeper. He
stopped at the gate and spoke. Gregg
nodded to him in return.
Come out and let me introduce you to
my wife," Thornton called.
Gregg arose slowly, after a little hesi-
tation, and came down the walk. He was
not pleased at receiving visit from
Thornton, and his face and movements
showed 1t. Thornton saw Gregg's hesi-
tation and ascribed it to the wrong cause.
He concluded that it was all owing to his
defeat.
Its a great thing to have good
wife," Thornton went on, land / don't
see how man lives without one."
Yes, it's great thing" Gregg assent
ed. mo doubt of that"
Then why don't you get yourself
one" Thornton asked, breaking into
loud. coarse laugh. 81 did hear the other
day that you were thinking OF marrying
right soon"
did your"
Eyes. In fact. I was told that you had
gone away to get married."
well, that was true"
WAS, Ell? Why didn't you marry.
thenf Had your woman gone back on
you or had some other man cut you out %
Neither. did marry. Here comes
my wife now. Mary, let me make you
acquainted with Mr.. and Mrs. Thorn
ton"
Mrs. Gregg came forward and smiling
ly acknowledged the introduction. She
was quite young and very pretty, and her
were charming. Thornton
thought her one of the handsomest wom-
en- he had ever seen.
by the way" Gregg continued, .it is
rather peculiar coincidence that Thorn
ton and l should marry the same day
and both Of us marry women of the same
name"
"Eh! How is thatp Thornton cried.
"Why, you married a Mrs. Brown,
didn't you?"
eyes"
"Well, my wife was Mrs. Brown"
Thornton turned pale and then red, and
be trembled all over. He saw in q mo-
ment that great mistake had been made |
and that he was the victim. But he could
blame nobody but himself. He had mar
ried the wrong Mrs. Brown; that was all. |
His cunning had overreached itself for |
once.
He sprang into his buggy and drove |
away without another word. |
He did not speak to his wife all the way |
home. He felt bitter toward her and |
wished with all his heart that she was on |
the other side of the earth.
Il have acted the fool worse than |
Thompson's colt" he thought. II have
tied myself for life to this old vixen, and |
didn't interfere with Gregg at all. I'm
IN old idiot."-Buffalo News.
Barring Him Out.
There Is q story of a revival meeting |
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