The Cairo bulletin., 1910-04-06
STRANGE MARRIAGE.

81 Collins sat on q paEk seat just
over the wall above the river. He
was thinking hard For three weeks
he had been out of work. and although
he had tramped from one end OF the
city to the other he had been unable
to find anything to do. He had one
silver dollar in his pocket, the last
OF his store, but the little room In
which he lived and did his own cook
ing. was paid for for another week, SO
he had place to live at least.
While 81 was thinking for the thou
sandth time where he could get job
he noticed . thin slip Of girl ap
proach the wall close to where he
was. The girl was shabbily dressed
and her face was drawn and white.
What made him move noiselessly
toward her he never knew, but he
reached her just in time to drag her
back as she was about to cast her.
self into the water.
"Oh, why didn't you let me do it?''
she cried, bursting into tears. Nov
suppose you will send me to prison.
81 assured her that he was not a
policeman, led her to a nearby bench,
and presently she told him her story.
Her name was Annie Treadwell.
She was daughter of wealthy man
from the country, but on his death ev-
erything had gone to her stepmother,
who at once married again and drove
her from the house. She had come
to the city, and for time had earned
her living sewing, but an injury to
her hand had prevented her from do
ing this work any longer. She was
alone, penniless, starving.
"You don't know what 1t is to be
alone and penniless in great city"
she said. pittifully
81 drew the dollar out of his pocket
and showed II to her. He told her
his story.
1T is cowardly act to take ones
life, even under such circumstances.
The only brave thing Us to fight it
out"
For moment he looked at her
without speaking.
1t may sound strange to you un-
der the circumstances he said at
length, seeing that have known
you but few minutes. I'm sure to
get Il job tomorrow And like you
better tl.an any girl have ever seen.
Now what propose is this: Let's go
to a minister's and get married right
now. I'll get a job tomorrow all right,
and then you won't ever have any,
thing more to worry you"
For a moment the girl was speech
less. But 81 argued manfully, and the
result was that before nightfall they
were married, and that night 81 cook
ed the frugal supper for two.
The next day, with new hope In
his heart, 81 went forth to hunt for a
job again All day long he searched,
but when night came and he got back
to his little room and his bride he
had found nothing.
Never mind" he said; "l'll surely
find it tomorrow" But his heart was
heavy. There were new responsible
ties now.
AS they sat at supper there came a
knock at the door. 81 opened IL to
find an elderly, welldressed man, who
asked for Mr.. 81 Collins. 81 ushered
him into the room, wondering,
Mr.. Ashbrooke!" exclaimed Annie
as he entered.
"Ah, have found you at last" said
the gentleman with q smile, as he
took her hand In his. Il have been
looking for you for months and only
heard of you today, when told my
friend DR.. Simpson about my search.
He said he had married girl of the
same name last evening and, having
taken Mr.. Collins address, | came
directly here"
1t was short story. The step
mother was dead, and the fathers for
tune, which had only been left to her
during her lifetime, was now all An
nie's. She was rich.
For an hour he talked. After he
left there was silence for while.
Then 81 rose. His face was pale, but
his voice was calm.
I'm sorry, Annie" he said, simply.
II didn't know was fortune hunt
err"
In a moment her arms were about
his neck.
Dearest" she said, kissing him,
although | have known you so short
a time, know I shall always care
more FOR you than for any fortune. 1t
is as much yours as mine. Let us ac-
cept what God has sent US. and out
there in the old country home live our
l. - -