The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1901-10-10

Lady Anastasia." ~,
what then?'
'You have only to claim your BRIDE"
"Sir, you forget that am the BRIDE"
Lady Anastasia interposed quickly.
r MI. Purden bowed and smiled, rub
bling his hands softly with submis-
sion, madam. I do not advise that his
lordship should carry her off nor that
he should claim her ad mensam ct tho
rum, as we scholars say. His princi-
pies would not, am sure, allow that
he should carry off an unmarried wom
an. Not at all. He will leave her with
her friends. Indeed he would prefer to
10 SO. l suggest only that we should
proclaim the marriage and Law hands
upon the fortune'
And what am I to be-"
His lordship's best friend. You will
rescue him in his deepest need: Won
VIII restore him to afHuence. It will
De service, madam, of the purest and
most disinterested affection, instead Of
an ugly and ruinous revenge. Heav-
ems, can you hesitate?"
They both looked at Anastasia, who
made no response, her eyes in her lap.
1.-THE trick will lie with US three"
the tempter went on. 'Neither of us
will reveal it,
AS regards jealousy, Anastasia,"
said Fylingdale, ''the girl will be here,
and everything will continue just as
BEFORE"
She threw up her arms and sprang to
her feet. "Oh," she cried, lit is the
most monstrous villainyv'
I'VE need not think of the girl. We
must think of ourselves"
'The fortune is immense. Anastasio
It is ridiculous that the girl should
nave SO much. We will leave her q
competence, and there are the Jewels"
Lady Anastasia gasped, and Fvlinc-
dale continued:
You yourself will adorn these lew
els. 1t Will be my greatest pleasure to
atone for my i'll judged deception by
giving you all those jewels-the dia-
monds, the rubies, the chains of pearls
and all the rest of the pretty, glittering
things" He took her hands, the par
son looking on all the time as a physi-
clan looks on at bloodletting or an
operation. What can that girl do
with the jewels? They shall all be
yours. Forgive me, Anastasia, and let
us again work together, as we have al
ready done, you and I, with no more
Jealousy and no more suspicious"
He kissed her hand. His manner
was changed almost suddenly; he be-
came soft, caressing and persuasive.
1t was the old charm, which the DOOR
lady could never resist. She suffered
him to hold her hand; she allowed him
to kiss her; her eyes grew humid.
Oh" she murmured, II must do ey-
erything you ask, Ludovic, if you are
only kindv'
@'How can I be anything but kind?"
he replied, with a smile. 'You must
forget and forgive. The thought that
all had schemed and planned for was
torn from me, and by you-Anastasia,
by you-was too much. MY mind
was upset; I knew not what I said.
Forgive me-
w, AuuOFAS, lOISlNt.
"And the jewels shall atone, the love-
~ jewels. You shall have them ALL
You will truly give me the jewels ?"
"Truly, my Anastasia. After all, we
are man and wife. Henceforth we
shall only live for each other. Your
happiness shall be mine. The Jewels
shall be yours
She yielded. She fell into his arms.
There was a complete. a touching, rec
onciliation.
Lord Fylingdale was going to declare
that it was Molly and none other who
was married that morning at o'clock
and to assume the rights and powers
OF husband So that the news Of his
evil reputation came, after all, too late
to be of any use. And as for explana-
lions, who would have the right to ask
any explanations of a married man on
behalf of his wife?
The counsel learned in the law gave
his written opinion that, considering
that the marriage ceremony was fixed
for a. H., the bridegroom had no
knowledge of the BRIDES intention not
to present herself; that he left his
lodgings a few minutes before 6; that
few minutes after one Pentecrosse,
we'll known to the lady, witnessed the
marriage ceremony and believed the
bride to be the lady in question, dress
ed as she was accustomed to dress, al
though he did not see her face; that
the parish clerk also recognized the
lady; that the clergyman was ready to
swear that the bride was the lady, and
that the registers showed her sigma
ture, there could be no chance what
ever of success in disputing or denying
the marriage.