Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-03-02
CHAPTER XIX.

&lIAL l. En- -NA-Ns
IF / remember rightly. Mr.. Douglas
you were in college when my father
died?''
Il was. deeply loved ana respected
Professor Burke" said Vance
"All the students loved him; he was
good and noble man. But 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. l also know that Louis boarded
with you"
.You know, too. what a fascinating
man he was and what an influence he
could have over a young and susceptible
girl? You will not wonder, then, that
when Louis began to profess to love me
ne soon won me TO return it. do love
him to this day, unworthy as he Is. lie
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 ris wife But II was
40 be kept an entire secret Louis ar
ranged everything. and | consented to
whatever he proposed. There was n
grand concert 10 be given over Ia Hart
ford. We went over. ostensiby 10 attend
ct. 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 60 10 that minister
10 prove your MARRIAGE" asked Vance.
Il did not know either his name or
residence In my excitement | forgot to
ask his name, ami | presume Louis did
not think to tell me. Well. we were
married and as happy as could be for
while. My father was gone, NY 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. lie
was soon to graduate and go home, but
he told me for my sake he would 90 at
once, AID confess first TO his father, aud
then return for me- / waited patiently,
but be did not come, so | wrote 10 him.
1t was several weeks before lie answered
my letter, ard then he told me that he
had not dar-d confess being satisfied
that his father never would forgive such
a marriage, and that he must conceal 1t
until he came Of age
LET me interrupt you" said Vance,
''long enough to say that | knew the
elder Mr.. lie Dm. lie was a bosom
friend Of my uncle. Squire Douglas, and
not 4 man who would have taken such
a stand He would have received you
gladly, if Louis had made known his
marriage.
II don't doubt it, Mr.. Douglas.
wrote again, implorng him to come. He
answered, saying he was about starting
for years travel in Europe. and could
not come to me, and IN the whole, our
marriage had been q mistake. and we
had better consider it dissolved. At any
rate, he had grown tire 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"
Vanc 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. | always kept it in
a little rosewood writing desk. of which
Louis often carried the key, When
read his cruel letter, flew to my desk.
But. oh. Mr.. Douglas. imagine my ter
ror and despair wh@u I found II gone.
i knew that Louis had taken it, II burst
,lpou nae then that my husband had de
Giberately 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-shc
grew worse AMI soon dict
Il know" said Vance as her voice
Catered. II heard all about Il from
Mrs. Herbert DO not distress yourself
TO tell me"
after that" Continued Nettie, Il
could not stay in New Haven, | sold
my house, paid the debt made by our
sickness and my mothers death, and
looked about for something to do. | had
enough left TO buy small home. | came
out here because read an advertisement
of a little house fer sale cheap here, and
because nobody knew me. l bought this
little house whore ! live. and have sup
ported myself and Willie with my ice
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 tuat morning ride, and
told her every particular. even includius
his confidence in Florence. ana the reye
Iatious Of sam concerning Myra.
II ala not attach much Importance u
that story at first he said. But in th,
liSht OF what you have told me. it look,
very dark II he could SO abandon an,
deceive one trusting girl, lie could an
other
81 hope they do not love him as
did said Nettie.
II DO not think Marcia loves him deep
ly," said Vance. Il feel sure she did not
can's fathom the mystery Of her con
eenting To marry Him, unless it is q
please her father whose heart is set OF
the match
what do you wish me to do:' ,ke
Neitie.
well can hardly say. as yet
have trespaSsed $50 long upon your t,m
that feel / ought 10 20 now. Let II
think il all over tonight. ana in IN
morning we may have concluded what {
do
Vance then rose, wished her a kin
good night and took his leave. promisiu
40 return early on Monday morning.
He walked back to tie hotel his hear
dlled at once with iuli gnation, wondt
and thankfulness. He had been led Wy
way he knew not. Far and near he ma
sought for Nettie lie Dru, without su
cess. when, 10, what he SUPPOSED to I
an uniucky biunder had led him 20 Is,
Gery door.
CHATTER XXX
On Monday morning Nettie was I
very early and had her breakfast all ov
and her little cottage tidy as e, new nj