The Miller sun. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 190?-19??, 1904-04-13
CHAPTER XIX.


'If remember rightly. Mr.. Douglas.
you were in college when my father
diedY'
II was. deeply loved and respected
Professor Burke said Vance.
'All the students loved him; he was a
good and noble man. Bet he left us very
poor. We owned our home, but had no
Income at all, so we took student board
ers, as you probably are aware"
''Yes. / also know that Louis boarded
with you"
You know, too, what fascinating
man he was, and what an influence he
could have over Il young and susceptible
girl? You will not wonder, then, that
when Louis began to profess to love me
he soon won me to return it. | do love
him to this day, unworthy as he is. He
was deeply devoted to me at home, but
he seldom took me out in public. My
mother was in such feeble health that
she could not have over me the care |
needed, and before long Louis had my
promise. to become his wife. But it was
to be kept an entire secret. Louis ar
ranged everything, and ] consented to
whatever he proposed. There was a
grand concert to be given over in Hart
ford. We went over, ostensibly to attend
it. We did do so, but first we went to
the house of a minister, where we were
as lawfully married as people ever were"
why did you not go to that minister
to prove your marriageY asked Vance
IL did not know either his name or
residence. In my excitement j forgot to
ask his name, and | presume Louis did
not think to tell me. Well, we were
married, and as happy as could be for a
while My father was gone, my mother
an invalid, so there was no one at home
to prevent our spending nearly all the
time together. At last people began to
gossip about US, and then / entreated
Louis to let our marriage be known. He
was soon to graduate and go nome, but
he told me for my sake he would go at
once, and confess first to his father, and
then return for me. | waited patiently,
but he did not come, so i wrote to him.
1t was several weeks before he answered
my letter, and tien he told me that he
Lad not dared confess, being satisfied
that his father never would forgive such
a marriage, and that he must conceal it
until he came of age"
''Let me interrupt you," said Vance,
.'long enough to say that | knew the
elder Mr.. lie Dru. He was bosom
friend of my uncle, Squire Douglas, and
not a man who would have taken such
stand. He would have received you
gladly, il Louis had made known his
marriage"
y don't doubt it, Mr.. Douglas. |
wrote again, imploring him to come. He
answered, saying he was about starting
for a years travel in Europe, and could
not come to me, and on the whole, our
marriage had neen mistake. and we
had better consider it dissolved. AT any
rate, he had grown tired of his bond, and
never intended to live with me. He said
could not compel him to do so. as had
no proof of the marriage and he wished
me well and bid me adieu forever
Vance set his lips hard to keep back
the words which rose to them, and list
ened with flashing eyes.
when we were first married." Nettie
went on, Louis gave me our marriage
certificate to keep. l always kept it in
little rosewood writing desk, of which
Louis often carried the key. When
read his cruel letter, l few to my desk.
But oh, Mr.. Douglas, imagine my ter
ror and despair when | found it gone!
l knew that Louis had taken it. 1t burst
upon me then that my husband had de-
liberately abandoned me. ] was taken
very i'll, and Willie was born. used to
lie and pray that we might both die. My
mother could not bear our trouble-she
grew worse and soon died"
at y.
faltered. II heard all about it from
Mrs. Herbert. Dc not distress yourself
to tell me-"
AFTER that" continued Nettie. 81
could not stay in New Haven. sold
my house, paid the debt made by our
sickness and my mothers death, and
locked about for something to do. / had
enough left to buy a small home. came
out here because read an advertisement
of little house for sale cheap here. and
because nobody knew me. | bought this
little house where / live, and have sup
ported myself and Willie with my nee.
die. Now, Mr.. Douglas. You know all
my story. Please tell me yours as
frankly"
Vance then began with their first meet
ing Louis during that morning ride, and
told her every particular. even including
his confidence in Florence. and the reve-
lations Of Sam concerning Myra.
Il did not attach much Importance to
that story at first, he said. But in the
light Of what you have told me, it looks
very dark. II he could so abandon and
deceive one trusting girl he could an
other"
II hope they do not love him as l
did" said Nettie.
Il do not think Marcia loves him deep
". . said Yante. II fcel sure she did not,
/ can't fathom the mystery CT her con-
senting to marry him, unless it Is to
please her father, whose heart Is set on