The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-07-02
III Strange Weddiflg
COMPLETE IN THIS ISSUE.
Author THE Mystery
Millions" Doctors Idol"
L OPENING Door" EMr Quxey Of the Gate House. Etc
rr N THE tragedies and comedies Of life
much depends upon the setting. How
Copyright, 1904.

alley of East End London. 1t seems
natural that tragedies should occur there.
But let the crime happen In fashions GEN.
ter and every one will talk it into great
sensation.
Here was tragedy not Of the vulgar
sort-of cowardly blows, or the taking OF
human life-but very real tragedy never
theless. Broken hearts are matter LOT
amusement to those who do not under
stand; science has no panacea for the NAL
ady, and the whole hearted laugh 1t to
scorn. Yet the malady is common enough,
only it's setting is so often mean that 1t is
overlooked. Here Is was different. Inc
setting was all that wealth could devise.
A thick carpet deadened to silence the
falling footstep. Costly furniture and
bric-a-brac were In the room, and pic
lures only possible to great wealth hung
upon the walls. The subdued light from
shaded lamp fell upon the woman's SILK
gown, and drew colors from the diamonds
upon her fingers. 1t cast glow, too.
upon her beautiful face-the tragedy in
this setting Of wealth and luxury
She had been playing The plano stood
open, and some music had fallen on to the
carpet. Now she idly turned the leaves OF
a new novel, but she was not reading. She
was thinking, drifting backwards as she
SO constantly did when she was alone,
forgetting the present to touch with MEM
ory's sensitive fingers past whlch nad
once been happy. 1t was the memory or
during the five long years OF her married
life. Yet, as often as she thought so, she
took herself to task for the thought. Had
she not her boy? Did she not constantly
steal up to his room in the evening and
draw the curtains back from his little bed
to satisfy herself that lie stlll nelo some
thing precious?
AS she turned the leaves listlessly there
was q sound in the hall. With an effort
she conjured up smile into her sad face
1t was q thin veneer to the tragedy but
1t had served successfully for five years.
AS the door opened she half rose.
"You are earlier thai
But 1t was not her husband. A servant
crossed the room and handed her card
upon silver salver. The color came into
her face as she read the name. For a
moment she hesitated, glancing towards
the clock and then with little catch In
; her breath she said: &C.
'Show him in
She rose from her chair and stood look
ing at her visitor in silence for some mo-
ments after the door had been closed be-
hind him.
"Robert!"
At have come back as 7 promised, Ethel.
Had known how l should find you I
should have stayed away. Do many wom-
en- break their oaths as you have broken
yours?"
''I had no alternative" she answered.
won't you sit DOWN."
The man made a little gesture of i'm
patience as he complied.
1T suppose not" and he looked quickly
round the room. Money commands; 1t
does not ask Even now I could give you
nothing like this but In the old days you
used to say you would be satisfied with q
little"
1T do not understand why you remind
me of that" she said.
"Forgetfulness has come too, has 1t?
What cannot money do? Still, you did
say so, and I, poor fool, believed you.'
"T spoke truly"
"Then why are you George Fieldens
wife?"
She did not reply Immediately. She
had often asked herself the same ques-
ton, and altho the answer to 1t came
easily enough a halting doubt sometimes
followed. Was she quite justified in max
ing the sacrifice she hadP
IT told you all in my last letter." she
Baid after pause.
you told me-?" and then he broke
off. "That letter never reached me-.
Never reached your"
'Neyer."
''Then you know nothing?' -
"Only that I have been working TO
seven years. toiling hard and living II
misery fashion, in order that l Nigh
come back to you and say: Ethel, I CLAIM
your promise; be my wife"
She pulled ribbon which hung at he
waist reflectively thru her fingers.
II wondered that you did not write t
me- she said; IT asked so many ques
lions In that letter. 1 waited thru drear
weeks for your answer, but it ,neve
came. I had no alternative but to rely O
my own judgment. I think I acte
rightly" -
"And married money!"
Eyes" she answered, simply, either nc
noticing the sheer In his voice or ignor
ing 1t.
There was a pause. Something In he
face startled the man. Something he rea
there changed his views.
What were the questions?" he asket
and he spoke In more gentle tone tina
he had done.
1T was not money that influenced m
at least, not for myself; you should kno
me better than that. When you le
England my father appeared likely to g.
on, but the ruin had been too complet
1t was not what some call ruin, neces
sity to live a little less extensively, to {
without some of the luxuries of life;
was ruin that called into hidecus realit
the question of daily bread, For tin
my father struggled bravely, but h
health was broken and his couras
beaten out of him. Robert, starvatic
stared us in the face. tramped Londe
for days in search Of work-in vain.
wrote to you asking advice; NOR
whether you could possibly marry m
whether In any way we could provide f
my father and mother. No answer can
to my letter. What could do? For the
sakes I married George Fielden.''
II never got that letter.
How could + know that? You accu
me of breaking my promise; surely
might as justly accuse you"
"And your father and mother?"
asked
"Are dead. They died within a we
of each other a year after my marriage
'And you are happy?"
He paused before asking the questio
He knew he ought not to ask it; indee
he tried not to ask it, yet it would con
II believe I have done my duty" s
said.
''That Is no answer"
''It Is the only I can give
1.-THE only one" he said, passionate
rising and standing before her. 'T
only one, when for seven long years
have been Shaving for you; when eve
action of my life has been done with O
object; when at the first possible nome
come to claim you. feeling certain til
shall find you waiting have dc
what left you to do, and now"
NOW 1t Is too late" she said, quiet
cit is not your fault, nor Is 1T mine.
Is fate
She got up as If to put an end to |
conversation.
us that all the consolation you can 6