Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1910-09-10


BY something In his tone. possibly by
an absence OF desire IN his words. lie
was too rational for lover won.
dered II he were not bent on marriage
10 escape loneliness or TO help him 10
bury melancholy memory. ! deter.
mined 10 apply test.
"You have been considering me vac.
Hating" said. "Now you seem to be
undecided yourself And ! am not
quite sure but you are right Suppose
after we are married you should meet
your former bride. Suppose she should
admit that In condition new to her.
very young girl. she had tried your
patience severely: that she Ind mis-.
taken you: that she dcplorcd the break
between you and her and would give
years of her life 10 undo what she had
done. You would then look upon your
marriage with me MS chain Of slav-
cry"
He said nothing for some time
when he did his words thrilled me:
"Candor compcls me to admit that
I would"
leaned back on the cushion as
though much disappointed. am not
sure. but I practlccd the deception OF
a sigh. His mood was indicated by
the speed he yas driving the machine.
I was tempted to tear Off my veil and
throw my arms about his neck But
I dared not. As his bride had been
a girl. Now | was approaching mid
die age. Another dcnouement to this
singular freak of fate occurred TO me
would 50 with him TO the church.
then reveal myself.
"Wcll." I said, ut IL time that we
stop this backing and filing shall
show you that have more stcadiness
than you suppose. Come; turn about.
Let us go 10 the rectory."
without a word he turned his ma
chine. and we were soon speeding in
the opposite direction. Neither spoke
for some time. wondered OF what
he was thinking. Perhaps that lone
illness which comes over a single man
after he has passed the heyday of
youth would now be ended. Or was
he thinking OF his bride OF fifteen
years before? When we drew up at
the rectory, before alighting he said.
There Is yet time TO reconsider this
most important step in your life. II
you have not perfect confidence In me
beg Of you TO withdraw before 1t is
too late"
III there Is vacillation now II Is in
you, not In me"
lie got out Of the auto. but not with
the springy step of groom. knew
he was swayed by two opposite cur.
rents. Whatever were his feelings. he
would not receds from the position he
had taken.
We were received by the rector who
had been expecting us for some time
lie placed us before mantcl. took VI
his prayer book and waited for me tC
take OF my veil. Slowly unwound Il
and when removing the last fold turn.
cd and looked at the groom.
He had not seen me since ] was
eighteen. Now was thirty-three. but
he knew me at once-that is he knew
me as soon as he could recover from
his establishment. And the fact that
his bride was the same as he had
stood 10y years before rendered that rs.
constituent rather confusion of ideas
than q natural impression. He stood
looking at me. dazed.
"Gwenr' he exclaimed at last.
With the two men looking at me. the
one waiting to know what the scene
meant. the other how | came 10 be-
there in place Of the woman he expect
ed, II was incumbent on me to make
an explanation. did SO to the rector.
telling him briefly the circumstances.
When | had finished ! turned To my
groom. wondering what expression II
would find there. ! saw at once that
he was eager to know what would be
the outcome Of this contretcmps Did
IL mean punishment. revenge. or would
Il lead to reconciliation? | replied
TO the question asked by his eyes with
my lips gave him smile. With n
profound sigh Of relief he turned 10 the
clergyman and said:
Proceed
The rector seemed puzzled. Evil
IDENTITY the situation clustered him: but
being In holy orders. with church
mans antagonIsm toward marrying
divorced people and churchman's
pleasure in reunitins those who have
been separated. he was not long IN re
covering his equaninity. He looked
at me for my assent But he looked
In vain. | gave no assent. Neither
did express dissent. He looked to
the groom for instructions and doubt
less received them. for without fur
Their delay he began the ceremony.
Neither man was quite sure what
would be the outcome until the ques.
tlon was asked me. "Will you take
this man 10 be your welded husbandg'
| hesitated for moment. then said
firmly. II will"
Both men gave n sigh Of relief.
And so II was that. while was sep |
arated for fifteen years from the man
loved and who loved me. by sense.