Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1910-09-07
DAILY SHORT STORES

marriage. Possibly I may have judged
by something In his tone. possibly u;
an absence OF desire I'm his words. He
was too rational for a lover won
dered II he were not bent on marriage
TO escape Loneliness or 10 help him to
bury a melancholy memory. deter
mined to apply a test.
You have been considering me vac
inating." said. "Now you seem to be
undecided yourself. And l 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 a condition new TO her.
very young girl. she had tried your
patience severely; that she had mis-.
taken you; that she deplored 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 as q 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"
l leaned back on the cushion MS
though much disappointed. am not
sure. but pr9cticed the deception of
a sigh. His mood was indicated by
the speed he was driving the machine.
was tempted to tear or my veil and
throw my arms about his neck. But
dared not. A his bride I had been
girl Now was approaching mid.
die age. Another denouement to this
singular freak OF fate occurred TO me.
I would go with HIM to the church.
then reveal myself.
WELL" I said. 1T Is time that we
stop this backing and filing. shall
show you that have more steadiness
than you suppose. Come; turn about.
Let us 60 TO the rectory"
without word he turned his ma,
chine, and we were soon speeding In
the opposite direction. Neither spoke
for some time. ! wondered OF what
no 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
the rectory. before alighting he said:
There is yet time to reconsider this
most important step I'm your life. If
you have not perfect confidence I'm me
beg OF you to withdraw before &c Is
too late"
IF there Is yacillation now il is In
you, not I'm mo-"
He got out of the auto, but not with
the springy step OF a groom. knew
he was swayed by two opposite cur,
rents. Whatever were his feelings. he
would not recede from the position he
had taken.
We were received by the rector, who
had been expecting us for some time.
He placed us before a mantel. took up
his prayer book and waited for me TO
take or my veil. Slowly unwound II
and when removing the last fold turn
ed and looked at the groom
7 He had not seen me sftice / was
eighteen. Now I was thirty three, but
he knew me Mt once-that IL. he knew
me Us soon as he could recover from
bis establishment. And the fact that
bis bride was the snme as he had
stood by years before rendered that as
constituent rather a confusion Of ideas
than natural impression. He stood
looking at me. dazed. "'
"Gwen~ he exclaimed ut last.
With the two men looking NJ me- the
one waiting TO know whit the scene
meant. the other how I cnme Co he
there I'm place OF the woman he expect
ed, II was incumbent on me to make
nn explanation. did 50 20 the rector.
telling him briefly the circumstances
When had finished turned 10 my
groom, wondering what expression I
would find there. I saw Mt once that
he was eager 20 know what would be
the outcome Of this contretemps. Did
IL mean punishment. revenge, or would
It lead 60 reconciliation? I replied
to tho question asked by his cycs with
my lips gave him a smile. With n
profound sigh Of relief he turned to tho
clergyman and said:
Proceed"
The rector seemed puzzled. Evi.
IDENTITY the Situate hustered him: hut.
being ia holy orders. with church
mans nntagOuisfn toward marrying
divorced people ana churchman's
pleasure IN rcuniting those who have
been separated hc was not long IN 70.
covering Ills cqunnimlty. lie looked
NJ me for my assent But be looked
IN vain ! gave no assent NpIthcr
did ! express dissent. lie looked 20
the groom FOR Instructions aud doubt.
less received them for without fur.
thor delay he began the ceremony
Neither man waS quite sure what
would bc the outcome until the gucs
ton was asked NE. win sou tnke
this man TO be your welded husband 2"
I hesitatcd for moment. then said
crmly. II viii"
Both men gave n sigh Of relief.
And so II was that. while ] was sep
arnted for fifteen years from tie man
I loved and who loved me. by sense.
loss HH 1 WINS rpuuffed To him lac N