The daily Alaskan., 1905-11-29
The Strange Coincidence
 Of Mir. and Mrs. Brown
TorlGInal.l

tOriglnall
 The wedding was over. It was a quiet affair, with but few guests. MT. Brown, a Wldower, had married Mrs. Brown, widow. They had buried their hearts with their former part uers, but they liked each other, each needed a companion, and each had a high opinion of the others integrity.
 A few months after the marriage Mrs. Brown took up a newspaper and turned pale. From that time forward she tried in vain to conceal from her husband that she was much troubled. She denied having anything to distress her, but Mir. 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 at the usual time sent a note to bis wife saying that he had been suddenly called out of town. On his return be seemed very much de pressed and, taking his wife into the library, drew her down beside him and said:
 My dear, I have a confession to make-a confession I must preface by a story. There Is q romance connected with my former marrlage-nOt only romance, but mystery. Twenty-eight years ago l loved and was loved We met at a summer resort. While srolling amid mountains, listening to the tum- bling streams or watching the setting sun glld the peaks, our love was born.
 Our homes were in different cities. When we returned to them both re | ceived a flat refusal to our union from our parents. We were both very young, and there was no money in either fam fly. Under the circumstances it was pointed out to us that marriage would be suicidal
 I've resolved on an elopement Ihad S2OO In bank, which had come from a l legacy. This I divided with the girl l loved, and we agreed to meet on cer- tain steamer that was to slll for Havre. To elude pursuit it was agreed that we would remHin in cOncoalment ! until the ship was well out at sea.
 We met at a clergymans study in the city, from which We were to sail, and were married; then separated to meet on the steamer. The morning after sailing l searched the ship for my wife and searched In vain. She was not on board"
 Be paused. Mrs. Brown was draw ng long breaths. "Go on," she said lmpatiently.
 You can imagine my agony, doomed to cross the ocean without her. The days seemed endless till I could reach the other side and return. But on the voyage l was robbed of what little money l had left and was unable to purchase q return ticket. went to ! work to earn the money to do so, but i'll success attended my efforts and entered upon a life of poverty. By the time ] got enough together for the trip l it seemed to me that to return would be useless. Doubtless my wlfe's par | eQLs udu SeCuItu TUT AeI du luAulLAGAl of our marriage. Instead of going home I went to Australia. A few years ago l came to America with no more means than had when l left.
 "One day I saw it announced In newspaper that my w.fe's parents had died, leaving property, and my wife, the only heir, had elODed years before and had never since been heard from. 1 laid claim to the estate as her hus- band, and In time it was paid over to me"
 Mrs. Brown was lOo!S.nE int ne, hus- bands face iutcutly, eagerly, and at this last announcement drew a long breath.
 GO on"
 T dare not"
 Co on."
 Our marriage l3 void. A few days ago I saw it annouCccl that my wife T .n. .s ar. A.