River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1903-08-20

what it all meant. We took an elevator
to the second floor, and were ushered
into handsome parlor. Hardly had
the door closed upon US before the girl
looked up at the man inquiringly.
"Shall dress now, brother?"
"Yes, Rose"
She laid her hand in mine for min
ute, and then walked toward door
at the other side of the room. The
swish, swish of her dress seemed to
beckon me on, and / started after her.
The man held out restraining hand.
ssWait," he said, with a smile; "she Will
be yours in an hour"
After she had gone, turned to him
"What does this all mean?' | asked.
"You have been sick for a month,
he said, slowly, "and / am afraid you
have suffered lapse of memory
"Sick?" / repeated, DULY.
"Yes. At one time we despaired OF
your life. Your brain seemed on fire
and you were filled with all sorts OF
queer fancies. You did not know me
nor Rose"
"Rose?"
Eyes; your fance."
"My fance! Why, man, never saw
her before!"
He smiled, little sadly, and said
gently, as he might to a child: "4o1
have been very sick, and you have for.
gotten many things. You have beer
engaged to my sister for nearly si1
months, and you set to-day for your
marriage. Cans you remember"
I pressed my hand over my aching
head.
mo" said. docs she expect me to
marry her to-day?" I nodded toward
the other room, and thought of the
laughing black eyes and the hair that
! smelled of flowers that bloom in the
springtime.
''Of course" he said. "You see, she
wishes to be your wife, even if you
can't remember all that has hap
pened."
/ said nothing. was mad with love
for the girl, and yet I felt / had nc
right to make her marry man who
had lost all memory of having known
her in the past.
''Does she want the ceremony to take
place." / asked.
"Does she? Why, man, can't you
see the love light in her eyes, and the
passion in every move she makes
Can't you feel it when she takes your
hand in hers? Don't you know it by
her very presence"
''Then,'' I said, looking him full in
the face, "then all the men in Christen
dom can't keep us from becoming hus
band and wife,
"Jack!" he cried, ST am proud Oh
you. There isn't another man in the
whole world I'd rather have for g
brother-in-law. I'll get the preacher
at once, and we will have quiet cere
mony here in the parlor."
Rose came in from the other room
just then. Straight to me she walked
and placed her two hands confidingly
in mine. The man leaned over us with
a ''God bless you, children" and ther
slipped out into the hall.
The preacher, white-haired AND
sanity, came back with him, ard we
stood up, ready to be married.
/ don't remember when / heard the
noise first. I think was watching
Roses brother, and that his frightened
face was my first intimation of the
trouble. Then I heard a tramp Oh
many feet, and knocking on our door
I threw my arm protectingly about the
girl.
sCome in!" shouted.
Before I had spoken the words, the
door opened. The first man to enter
was my brother. After him came two
burly officers of the law.
"My God, Jack" he cried, as he saw
our position. ut isn't too late?''
sToo late for what?" | demanded
white with anger at the interruption
"You aren't-aren't married?'
"No." I said ''but I will be in five
minutes. Stand back, and let the cere
mony proceed"
He sprang forward. "You will never
marry that woman" he declared
"Can't you see, you fool, that she is ne
fit wife for your"
ssBut she loves me-" I said, weakly
seeking an excuse.
Eyes he sneered; "she loves you, as
she loves any man who will bring he1
money. And you, with your inheri
lance of uncle's, will make a capita
husband for her.
envy inheritance? I repeated, push
ing away the girl to look at her; I'm,
! inheritance"
Then. like flash, it all came back tt
me. I had been notified of the dealt
of my uncle, with will that left al
of his rich property to me. I hat
heard of it only yesterday-or was i
last year?"
"What day of the month is this?"
demanded.
"June "a, 1902" answered m,
brother,
Then saw the trick. 1t had all beer
planned, from the smallest detail. II
some way they had learned of my in
heritance, had calmly kidnapped m,
from my own lodgings, and had put VI
the cock-and story of my sickness
after drugging me with some mem
ory-destroying connection. The plal
was so bold that it had almost sue
ceeded.
/ Hooked at the girl. The brown eve.
Ileered at me malevolently, the red lip
and the pink cheeks were plainl,
PAINTED, the black hair was snarlee
and stiff, and smelled of sickening per
fume.