Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1901-12-12


dresses were kept back for Marie's
supervision. If her artistic touch and
finish had not seemed quite so indis-
lpensable to the M ladies', there
might have been room for some scan
dal; as it was, they just wished her
back, and would have forgiven any
thing short of crime.
She came to her little shop one
evening, bringing face white and
sad, and without word of greeting
sank down upon the floor, and, as Miss
Brown reported it, tainted dead
laway."
1t was the prelude to long and dan
gerous illness; the shop was closed
and Miss Brown had ready the 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 townspeople,
had watched and tended the sufferer
like mother, bringing into the quiet
little b4ck room every luxury wealth
could command, and creating by her
presence an atmosphere of refinement
which it would otherwise have missed.
The first day that Marie was able to
sit up, Mrs. During came with her car
Iriage and servants, and without word
of 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
lit; anyway, she did not seem much in
a hurry to go back to her work, and
Mrs. During had forbidden the mention
of it 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. were
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 a 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 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 resorted
to various games and plays common
| to such gatherings. Two or three
boys and girls who wanted an excuse
for sitting in corner by themselves,
took down the names of the single la
/ dies and gentlemen, 'just for the sake
of pairing them,'' they said, but finally
! it was determined, through much mer-
rymaking. 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-
riest. sauciest and handsomest girl in
the whole company A terrible grim
ace from Katie sent them off in a roar
of laughter, and when Miss Brown was
drawn for Alfred Somers. Katie's true
and loyal knight, the beauty pouted for
moment.
Rutherford During's name was the
last one drawn, and then came a mo-
ment of GREATNESS 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, 'Ev-
erything had gone cross-grained and
she guessed they'd better throw it all
up"
i think so, too," said he. 81 never
like to hear of mock marriages; there
are other kinds than this. you know.
and some of them keep up the cruel
hVNhSiy tiii uSditS are broken and
lives wrecked" He spoke so solemnly
that they shivered.
Just then Mrs. During came in and
said: I'VE are ready. Rutherford"
Those around her thought she re-
ferred to supper, but as Rutherford
went out. the old pastor who had min.
istered 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 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 sin and
treachery of others We were separated
and the record of what she has suf.
fGrcd and accommodates a.. 1