The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-04-17

she is my wife"
He started. John turned quickly The
vehemence of my assumption Of author
ity seemed to surprise them. The par
son nodded.
That's right" he said. Come.
James Leave man and wife alone"
They staIked forth from the church.
At the door John turned and threw
some letters inside
You might as well have these. - he
said. They belong to you.
1 was alone with my wife. I did not,
of course. consider the girl in that light
The legal tie had beer formed under
eIuress, and It would require little effort
to annul it. 1 did not doubt even that
the parson. if called upon, would testify
to the circumstances. a
But just then all my thoughts were
centered on the condition Of the poor
girl who had been through the torture
with me.
She had tainted quite dead away. L
laid her tenderly down on the pulpit
carpet and chafed her hands.
1 had been in the habit. since 1 had
begun the practice of riding for health.
of carrying with me a small flask OF
cognac At first this had been neces-
sary. At times a weakness would come
over me, and pull at the flask would
revive my wasted strength. Bat OF
late I had not used ii. though I still
continued to have the bottle with me.
I now took the flask from my. pocket
and poured a drop or two down the
girls throat There was no water hardy,
though I supposed there was well in
the yard.
The cognac suhiced. The girl opened
her eyes. She looked up and around.
stared vacantly at me. then .shud6ered
convulslvely and shut them again.
I knelt at her side. looking into the
pure, white face. l had wiped away
the tears. The girl could not, 1 thought.
be more than seventeen or eighteen, so
young that an oily tongue might easily
win her regard.
1 began to feel something like dislike
for the bearded man who had taken this
underhand way of carrying off his bride.
Surely there must be something crooked
about him.
1 bad never seen a sweetar face than
that of Beatrice II was a pure oval.
with a most delicate cOlOring, now. Of
course. whitened by misery. Her eye
Iashes were long, her hair a rich brown.
I began TO envy the man she loved.
Her return TO complete consciousness
was somewhat sudden She looked mp.
gasped. and then sat upright. Her wide
open eyes roamed around the church
Are they gomez she whispered.
Yes ] answered. Your uncles.
having done what they mistakenly be-
Z lieved to be their duty. have left u.s.
At that the girl rested her lovely
head against the altar and burst into
most violent weeping.
"Oh. sire she moaned what must
you think of me?"
.eWen." said, scarcely knowing yet
what l did think. Il am sure you are
are-weli. you are pretty girl at any
rate and I don't blame a man for fall
ing in love with you"
/ Instead of replying to my compliment
with coquetry. she wept still faster
cot course" 1 went on, Il appreciate
your position. Loving one man. you
hhave been married against your win TO
l have a cousin in Utica who is great
lawyer. He viii soon straighten this
thing out and set you free. Perhaps you
have heard of James Stage"
| She leaped TO her feet Her eyes
( flashed. Her whole being seemed TO rise
/ in stature physically and morally.
Il hate him. / hate him. she cried.