The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1908-05-14
A Counterfeit
Wedding Trip.

Aioue. out u WaS necessary t0at she
60 to New York ut once to Join he,
mother. who was i'll there. 1t was bl,
one nights journey Oil the boat. and
since Il stateroom bad been provided
her father felt assured that she would
make the trip without annoyance.
During the early evening she sui
out on the guard enjoying the view of
water and land. Others were near
her. among them nun. Il young sister
whose face made an impression upon
Olivia. The nun carried prayer
book. but did not look into it, nor did
she tell the beads on the rosary that
hung to her waist. Nevertheless,
whether 1t was An appearance Of holi-
ness induced by her dress or the life
led by a member Of a sisterhood,
Olivia could not keep her eyes of her.
Perhaps the nun noticed the interest
she had awakened. for she drew her
chair nearer and spoke a few words
in a musical contralto voice. This led
to a conversation, in which the sister
lamented that she must sleep in a
chair during the night, every bed on
the boat being taken.
Olivia had been cautioned BY her IA.
ther to have nothing to do with strau.
gers. Nevertheless she did not even
think Of this caution in connection
with this holy young girl. There were
two berths In her stateroom, and
would 1t not be a contrast with the
devotion Of the sister, whose life was
entirely unsel6sh, for Olivia to sleep
comfortably alone while she might
make the nun 80 by permitting her to
occupy one Of those berths? Without
any forethought whatever she gave the
invitation.
With many heartfelt thanks the nun
availed herself Of the offer. Indeed, a
great load seemed to be lifted from
her mind. When Olivia retired the
sister told her that she would not
crowd her by going to bed at the same
time, but would wait till her benefac-
tor had got into her berth. Olivia
went into the stateroom. and after she
had lain down the nun came in and
instead Of divesting herself of her
clothing climbed to the upper berth as
she was.
In the morning just after dawn
Olivia was awakened by the boat being
warped into the dock. Standing before
the mirror was young man. He was
handsome, we'll dressed and refined
looking. but on his face was anxiety.
Olivia was so frightened that she was
about to close her eyes and feign sleep
when the young man saw her reflec.
ton In the mirror. he turned to her
and said:
Don't fear me! For heavens sake
don't cry out! am hunted and have
availed myself Of your kind offer for
concealment l hoped to go out with.
out your knowing how I have deceived
you. I am no thief. Indeed. I AIN not
that for which they wish to take me-"
He had scarcely spoken the last
word when there came a loud rap at
the door. With it vanished the last bit
OF color In the mans face. Then
sudden thought seemed to come to him.
Bending down to Olivia's ear, be whis-
pered:
You may save me. shall tell them
that they have made q mistake; that we
are a bride and groom on our wedding
trip. l implore you not to betray me-"
Then, suddenly summoning his reso-
luton, he opened the door partly and
said, assuming that he supposed the
knock to be to awaken passengers,
All awake here"
us there nun in this roomY"
mo; bridal couple on our wedding
trip
I'VE must satisfy ourselves"
The young man looked appealingly
at Olivia. 1t was terrible struggle
between her womanly sympathy and
all woman holds sacred. The former
triumphed.
"There is no one here" she said, Tex
cept my husband and myself"
The young man shut the door, and
there was no more knocking or calling.
The young man as soon as be recover
ed his equanimity said, "The day may
come when l can repay you for this"
then stepped out through the window
and was gone.
Meanwhile Olivia, whose heart was
beating like a kettledrum. arose, dress.
ed herself and went into the cabin,
where she found one who was to meet
her coming toward her. Then, trem-
bling, she left the boat.
Five years passed. One evening at q
ball Olivia on the arm of q friend
passed man sauntering with a lady
companion. She knew at glance that
he was the man who had personated a
nun. and he knew she was the woman
who had saved him.
A few minutes later he approached
her. She was eager for an explanation,
and 1t came.
He was heir to large estate. When
q minor he had been attacked by dis.
ease that had produced a temporary
nervous condition and had been con-
fined in retreat. An uncle, his guard
ian, had sought to keep him there till
he could cover a Misrepresentation of
his wards funds. The young man re-
covered. made his escape in nuns
l