Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-08-24
CHAPTER VIII.

Judith was quite right: although her
words filled me with fear, theJ could
not destroy, or even weaken, the fasca-
nation she exercised over me, Our mar
riage day was fixed. How distinctly /
remember every aspect and event Of that
day. The ceremony was, of course. to
be celebrated at Little Bethlehem by
the brides father All the principal
members Of the congregation were 70 be
of the party. and the Rev. Obadiah Por-
ter provided the entertainment with no
,niggardly hand
When entered the parlor I found it
full of people OF these two solemn
looking young men. whom | had often
seen at chapel. represented the Grooms-
men; and two remarkably sour-looking
girls, daughters Of Mrs. Humphries. the
bridesmaids.
Two or three dark-looking cabs were
at the gate. and when all was ready we
sailed forth Martha was standing in
the hall, holding The house door III her
hand. l had never exchanged word
with her since tht night when she way
laid me upon the landing; indeed, had
Eever seen her. except when she waited
at meal times. How sorrowfuily she
aeoked at me that morning! AS / passed
out into the garden with Miss Hum
.phries upon my arm. she threw an old
shoe after me The Young lady vas
astounded. and heard her master pause
for a moment % rebuke her for such a
heathenish" act, as he was pleased to
style it,
Although in the height of summer it
was a most miserable morning From
edge to edge Of the horizon. the sky was
one of uniform leadcn hue; there was
fine, soaking rain. that blurred and blot
ted to the eye every Eiore distant OBJ
je, t; the saturated trees kept up con-
stunt drip, drip; the calyx of every flow
er was a miniature lake: and on the
point OF every leaf and blade Of grass
.quivered globules Of water Large pools
lay in the graveled path, and the earth
was soddencd.
The little chapel was chill and gloomy
as s vault. and the damp atmosphere
chung upon every object. dimming the
windows and half-veiling the cold, gray
light that struggled through them.
mot a pleasant day for a marriage"
remarked Miss Hamphries. solemnly; 1t
was the first remark she had addressed
TO me.
More fitting for a funeral" l answer
ed drearily.
She looked at me rather strangely. and
It certainly must have sounded some
Nhat strange remark in the mouth OF a
bridegroom.
The ceremony, according to the teuets
rof these people. commenced; and as l
took Ter hand, looked at Judith for the
FIRST time that morning She seemed
unconscious Of my glance. Her face was
dea:hly pare. and very rigid. like one
who had nerved herself 10 a terrible and
repulsive task as indeed she had. The
tnuch Of my hand awoke her from her
reverie She shuddered: but | thought
there was less Of hardness and seorn
In par manner as well | might, for
her tears we're falling fast.
Mr.. Porter also was not quite him
self; he seemed agitated and nervous. To
my morbid fancy his prayers sounded
Jke a service for the dead. At last,
IL Was all over The whole party was
gathered near the door preparatory 70
leaving Judith and her father had gone
into a little room that stood near the
entrance. who're she had left her wrap
pings. | US the last Modify | was
1o'Uwing INC rest. when my eyes lap
pened 70 fall upon a small glttering
object. 1t was a golden locket. In pick
Ing it up my finger pressed the spring
and Jpened ii. What a thrill ran through
tine. Ii contained the portrait a girl
of aSout IL 1t was the face Of the
child / had met In the Norman gateway,
Whip had dropped it. or how had il
come here? Putting it into my pocket,
resolved to carefully note any person
who Should appear TO or speak Of having
lost anything.
The cabs conveyed Ss home again. ma
the dinner was waiting. Towards e-eu-
ing se company dispersed. but nc Ter
sou spoke OF a loss. and the mystery
of the locket remained an inscrutcble
mystery. l would not make ans In.
quiries for the owner, as I had resolved
not TO par: with it. | Rugged it rs a
treasure: and. somehow. amidst the mis-
cry Of that day, it fell upon my heart
like a CLEAN OF hope.
While waiting al table Martha con
tri' ed - rat, a piece Of paper into my
haLd My fingers instinctively gra<,ed
IT, Our visitors had gone. Judith had
retired 70 her room to change her dress
and Mr.. Porter was in his storeroau. I
AriLEu kl1e fi'tftf td1ily iR FA3}EINe the
paper II was a note, bur written in n
7scrawl almost illegible. Ii ran thus:
This is my last day here. leave
tomorrow. Always 10 be heard Of at
No. 8 Rackstraw's building, Camden
Town Take care Of yourself God
bless you MARTHA"
So | was deprived OF nv only friend.
] was row utterly alone In the iions
den. 4 new feeling of fear aud DESC
iation fell upon my heart.
CHAPTER IN.
co1ld endure il 80 longer. and So
He'd. One month after my wedding night
left that roof foreve@ Upon what
passed duriag that month my lips mr.,
~ aled, To no living being shall ever
reveal the story az my suferirss during
those th.riy-one days.
On the night Of the 3lst Of August.
crupt out # my chamber assembled t.
the boys room and uns, an and unhear,
E1v them t,ftauui their window and de