The Washington times., 1904-05-01
CHAPTER uI-(Continued.)

Surprise held me spellbOund for
moment. I could not imagine for the
life of me what poor James. deep in
his law cases, loving his wife and fam
ily having no time for Irritation, nor
desire for it, could have to do with
the absurd error that had been COM
mitted in the little Pawmuc church.
81 do not understand L said with
some constraint. II James has"
''Oh. no! I did not mean il! He is a
good mani Oh. please do not tell him
anything 10 make him angry!" she cried
imploringly.
My amazement grew. l stood looking
at her in surprise. when l heard
slight rustling in the open window /
looked up. The bearded man was look
ing at us with hungry eyes.
You are rather late" 1 said with
some asperity. If you had acted like
a man you would have had your bride
now instead of me-
He gazed with almost imbecile curl
osity from Beatrice TO myself.
The girl sprang to the window.
Go, go,' she cried This man is a
cousin to James Staggi"
With a nlutteTed curse he disappeared.
I sat weakly down on the pulpit step.
Precipitation came out on my forehead
in great beads. I wiped my brow and
looked at my wife. She was trembling,
watching the window and watching me.
NOW, look here 1 said. evidently
you fear me. Why. I know not. I do
not ask. Never have 1 heard OF such
an occurrence as that in which we have
been actors tonight For the present
moment, until I can get the law TO re-
move your shaclxles, you are my wife.
Therefore. let US talk plainly.
You do not want to be my wife. and
hyou need not be. There is a way TO end
st. but it must be by process of law. 1
must set forth before the court Just how
we were held at the point of pistol and
compelled to go through the marriage
ceremony. 1t viii then be arnuiled, you
will be free. But, since have seen how
young you are, and how attractive.
1 feel some of the responsibility Of your
uncles. You are very young 10 run away
with a man. OF course. all girls who
run away with men are young But
do not seek to stand in the way of your
happiness. You are old enough to know
your own mind But to ease my own
conscience, let me ask you, do you know
this Thomas Firfn well?'
NO" she sobbed.
But you love him?"
NO"
But you came here to meet a man
and go away with him" l continued,
with some severity. DO you love the
man l saw you with when 1 came in
here tonight"
yes; oh, yes!'
do you know him well?''
Eyes. Oh, my God, yesl'
''Weu enough TO throw aside all ties
of hope and friendship and brave thu
world with him?"
Yes; oh, yes"
We'll" / said. half musingly. "then
I have no more to say. Go, and may
God in His mercy keep you from harm.
Tomorrow 1 shall take steps to have
our ridiculous marriage annulled Watch
the Utica papers. 1 will publish the
fact You need not come after any re-
lease unless you wish. If you do want
something to show that you are free
address me at the residence Of James
Stage. on Genesee Street.
81 viii not keep you any longer. Your
lover IS waiting As last request. viii
you not accept my protection till this
thing is settled. and be married in Utica
before you go away?"
Historically. NOT I made out an an
swer.
well, then. shake hands; good-by
We have had an exciting time. ] an
sorry for you"
She put her trembling hand in mine
She did not ask me 10 hasten the act
that would set her free. She seemed
only overcome By a strong desire TO Join
the man outside
Here I said. as reached the door
''These are your letters"
] picked up the letters her uncle had
thrown down and gave them TO her
Feverlshly she looked at them in the
1amplight. She threw all but one away
That one she tucked In the bosom Of
her riding habit
'Good-by. 1 said again.
'Good-by,'' came the sobbing answer
stepped out into the cool June night
] felt loaded down with responsibility.
knew not why. Surely the love affairs
OF two strangers did not matter to me
Even though one was my wife. she
would not be BY tomorrow
ii was, as ! had predicted. a moon
light night 1 saw, some distance dowr
the road, the patient bay still nibblini
at the clover that grew along the road
side. Not far from him was the girl.
little horse.
''They have left your horse" I callet
back TO her. Wait a minute and II
get IL
walked down the road TO the bay anC
caught him easily. The little horse wa
shy OF me. but 1 managed 70 catch IN,
bride I mounted the bay and led tn,
otter animal back 20 the church.
II was empty. Ny wife was gon,
with her lover. All that remained {,
serve as a reminder OF the excitinl
scenes had gone through with hsI
were two dim lamps on the pulpit ant
some letters on the floor. Moved b,
curiosity. ] picked these up.
They were all in one hand. and signe,
Tom Firm. She had taken the on,
making the appointment for the eIope
ment
Musing upon these strange things. an,
wondering how the romance would end
! turned the deserted pony loose, anC
rode homeward. the bay impatient 70
ms supper and bed. and 1 impatient 70
q talk with James
CHAPTER w.
A Narrative of Unpleasant Character.