Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1901-12-12
reported it, tainted dead

| anu MISS DIoWn naQ ready TIE Grape to
tie upon the door, but it was not des-
tined to be used for Marie.
The good people wed with one an
other in their kindness and care. Even
mrs. Judge During, who generally held
herself aloof from her townspeopie.
had watched and tended the sufferer
like mother, bringing into the quiet
little back room every luxury wealth
could command, and creating by her
presence an atmosphere of refinement
which 1t would otherwise have missed.
The first day that Marie was able to
sit up, Mrs. During came with her car
riage and servants. and without a word
or warning just wrapped blankets and
shawls around the patient and carried
her off bodily.
Marie found it delightful getting
well In such pleasant quarters; people
said she was taking her own time for
1t; anyway, she did not seem much in
hurry to so back to her work, and
! Mrs. During had forbidden the mention
OF 1t to her by any of the callers. Sud
denly the news was given out that
rutherford During was coming home
from Europe, where he had lived for
fourteen years, and where his honors
had seemed to accumulate.
All the neighbors. far and near wers
invited to welcome home the wanderer
He was in New York and would be
IN M on given evening Such a
gathering, so glad and gay. the state
ly mansion had never held before.
Coming together in real country fash
ion, they had long evening before
them. Many inquiries had been made
for Marie. she is not strong" said
Mrs. During, "and I've shut her in her
room for a while"
Rutherford was momentarily ex-
pected, but as he would have several
miles to ride from the nearest station
they could not definitely fix the time.
so to pass away the hour they resortad
10 various games and plays common
TO such gatherings. Two or three
boys and girls who wanted an excuse
Tor sitting in corner by themselves.
took down the names of the single la.
dies and gentlemen, "iust for the sake
OF pairing them" they said, but finally
1t was determined, through much mer-
rymaklng, to have six mock marriages
the parties to be determined by lot
The first drawn was Deacon Jere-
miah Stokes. and someone whispered.
. NOW for Miss Brown or Marie Alger,"
but fortune was tickle, and the name
OF Katie Rich was handed out. the mer-
rest, Sauciest and handsOmest girl in
the whole company. A terrible grim
ace from Katie sent them off in q roar
OF laughter, and when Miss Brown WAS
drawn for Alfred Somers, Katie's true
and loyal knight, the beauty pouted for
a moment.
Rutherford During's name was the
last one drawn, and then came O mo-
ment OF breathless suspense. He
came in as Marie Alger" was read out
by the umpire.
That old maid" said Katie Rich
and then looked up to find Rutherford
standing by her side.
What is it?" he inquired.
Katie tried to explain, but said. ''Ey-
erythiDg had gone cross-grained and
she guessed they'd better throw it all
up"
Il think so, too" said he. 81 never
IKE TO hear of mock marriages; there
are other kinds than this, you know,
and some of them keep up the cruel
mOckery till hearts are broken and
lives wrecked" He spoke so solemnly
that they shivered.
Just then Mrs. During came in and
SAID: We are ready, Rutherford"
Those around her thought she re-
ferred to supper, but as Rutherford
went out, the old pastor who had min
lstered to the people Of NJ for
nearly half century, slowly arose
and then before anyone had been able
to collect his thoughts, Rutherford
During and Marie Alger were standing
before the minister, and he was pro
nouncing the marriage service. There
was no time for tears or criticism. as
Rutherford asked his friends to listen
to a word of explanation that seemed
their due.
This lady" as he looked proudly
upon her, was my promised wife thir-
teen years ago. Through the s:n and
treachery of others We were separated
and the record of what she has suf
fered and accomplished is kept by tn,
angels; | know you would not wish
me to rehearse the sad story here to-
night. Some time you shall hear 1t
all, for we have nothing to conceal,
but this evening l have only thought
for thankfulness and joy"
After supper another surprise burst
upon the company, and the best of it
was that the parties themselves
seemed to have the largest share of it.
The judge had laughingly offered to
pay marriage fee for anyone who
might desire to take that time 10 mar
ry and some were malicious enough
to say, that was the reason the dea-
con asked Miss Brown to have him"
Anyway, there was another wedding
and the lady who came as Miss Brown
went home as Mrs. Deacon Stokes.
She seemed to think all the circuit was
due to Marie, but Katie Rich told her:
''It was ordered" and for her part
she thought ''the deacon an old brute
or he would have married her long
ago"
Mrs. Stokes was tearfully happy, and
only hoped she should be able to do
her duty"