The San Angelo press. (San Angelo, Tex.) 1897-1907, 1905-06-22
The Strange Coincidence
Of Mr.. and Mrs. Brown
tOriglnnl.l


Ecrs, but they liked each other, each
nco1cl companion, and each had
high opinion Of the others integrity.
y few months after the marriage
Mrs. Brown took up a newspaper and
turned pale. From that time forward
She tried ~ vain to conceal from hc"
husband that she was much troubled.
She denied having anything to distress
her, but Mr.. Brown noticed that she
was watching the newspapers, which
she had never been used to reading be.
fore.
one evening the husband instead OF
coming home mt the usual time sent
note TO his wife saying that he had
been suddenly called out OF town. on
his return he seemed very much de.
pressed ana, taking his wife into the
library, drew her down beside him and
said.
MY dear | have confession to
make-a confession must preface by
story. There Is romance connected
with my former marrlage-not only
romance, but n mystery. Twenty-cight
years ago | loved and was loved. W.
met at summer resort. While strolllng
amid mountains, listening to the tum-
bling streams or watching the setting
sun gid the peaks, our love was born.
"Our homes were in different cities.
When we returned to them botl re-
ceived n fiat refusal to our union from
our parents. We were both very young,
and there was no money In either fam
lily. Under the circumstances It was
pointed out to us that marriage would
be suicidal.
1--WE resolved on an elopement. had
5000 In bank, which had come from a
legacy. This | divided with the girl 7
loved, and we agreed to meet on GER
tain steamer that was To sail for
Havre. To elude pursuit II was agreed
that we would remain In concealment
until the ship was well out ut sea.
1--WE met mt clergyman's study In
the city, from which we were to sail,
and were married; then separated to
meet on the steamer. The morning
after sailing searched the ship for my
wife and searched In vain. She was
not on board"
He paused. Mrs. Brown was draw
Ing long brcaths. go on" she said
lmpatlently.
You can imagine my agony, doomed
TO cross the ocean without her. The
days seemed endless till | could reach
the other side and return. But on the
voyage ! vas robbed of what little
money l had left and was unable to
purchase return ticket. ! went TO
work to earn the money to do SO, but
Ill success attended my efforts, and ]
entered upon a life of poverty. BY the
time got enough together for the trip
1t seemed to me that to return would
be useless. Doubtless my wife's par.
ents had secured for her an annulmcI I
OF our marriage Instead OF goll.g
home / went to Australia. A few
years ago came to America with no
more means than had when I left.
zone day I saw 1t announced In a
newspaper that my wlfe's parents had
died, leaving property, and my wife,
the only heir, had eloped years before
and had never since been heard from.
| laid claim to the estate as her hus.
band, and In time 1t was paid over to
me-"
Mrs. Brown was looking into her hus-
bands face intently, eagerly, and at
this last announcement drew a long
breath.
go on"
II dare not"
go on"
sour marriage Is void. A few days
ago l saw 1t announced that my wife |
had returned and claimed the estate"
Mrs. Brown burst into n merry neal
'f laughter, so happy, so exhllarated,
that her husband feared the news had |
made mental wreck OF her.
"She Is an impostor" she fairly |
shouted. II am your wife. When we
'loped / boarded by mistake steamer
bound for Rio de Janeiro. There |
.aught school for twenty years. Then,
hearing that an estate had fallen to
7ou, | returned and did exactly what
you did with mine. claimed 1t as
your wife"
MY dear" moaped the husband,
the blow has been too much for YOU"
But Mrs. Browns arms were around
lis neck, and she was beside herself
With natural, not an insane, Joy.
do you mean said the husband.
Il mean that what / say Is true,
houGh l would not have believed it I'm
mother case. Two persons knowing
he circumstances of our disappearance
md Inheritance have conspired to per-
onate US and secure our estates. Since
saw a notice that you had returned
md claimed your estate I have been,
Ike you. In misery"
The husband was at last convinced,
much to his reSof and Joy.
my dear" he said presently, there
psychological feature OF this case
70 strange cs the coincidence. We both
'uried our hearts years ago, yet when
ach believed the other had returned
We were miserable"
Mrs. Brown hung her head.
THAT was" she stammered, "be-
ause loved my second husband bet
r-better-thanv-
1.-THE first, and I did the same In the