Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-08-16

of their daughters marriage on the
ground that both She and her husband
were under age when they were mar.
ricd
Smith was offered position on n
coffee plantation IN the interior aud
accepted ii. This led him out Of the
world for many years. Legal docu-
mcnts concerning the dissolution OF his
marriage tie were sent to him. but new
or reached him Ills object at first
was 70 make money enough TO get back
10 New York and secure possession 81
his wife. Eut he was long while ac-
Cumulaiing the necessary funds. He
met with setbacks and advances that
never seemed TO get TO a point where
he could break away and 90 home
Aud 50 he drifted on and. not hearing
from his wife. nj last concluded that
her parents had dominated her and
had probably secured an annulment OF
her marriage Finally the connection
became like n troubled dream. In his
sleep he would dream that he had been
reunited TO his love. but when he
nwoke II was with Il sense Of relief that
the experience was not real.
In the meanwhile Smith accumulat-
ed wealth He had opportunities 10
marry hut did not know whether he
had legal right TO marry and in any
event did not care 10 mate with any
If the Spanish women he met in South
America At last. after twenty years
stourn there. he sold out his posses
sions ana returned to the land Of his
birth
Such was the early experience of
Mr. Smith who when past middle life
found himself out Of business, with no
family and with no other home than
hotel He had made some inquiries
concerning his eirl wife and her peo.
pie. but had learned nothing He en-
dcavorcd to find evidence that his mar
rage had been annnllcd. but had fail
ed Indeed. an annulmcnt could hard
Is he within the law. since he had not
received any papers in the case,
Mr. Smith ana Miss Jones were
drawn together by similarity Of po-
decided to ask her 10 marry him
Should he tell her Of the uncertainty
hanging over him. II he did she
would. should she become his wife.
live under that uncertainty. whereas
~ she knew nothing Of the matter she
would have nothing TO worry about.
Twenty years had passed without his
hearing OF his girl wife. and he
thought II probable that II she were
living she had married again
When Mr. Smith proposed Miss
Jones told him that she had had an
attachment In her youth that she had
never entirely recovered from. and she
thought he should know that there
was a bit of her affections that she
could never give him He replied that
he too. had had nm affair Of the heart
and on this point they were quits. His
conscience smote him for not telling
the whole story. but he felt II rather Il
kindness than an injustice TO her 10
refrain
They were married as persons of
their age usIally prefer 10 be married
privately. Indeed. so little attention
lid the groom pay 10 preparations that
when he stood up to be married and
the clergyman asked for the wedding
ring Mr. Smith was thrown into con
fusion by the discovery that he had
neglected TO provide ring. But the
bride came TO the rescue. Slipping a
4, or h.. lao, 1...t h.
| the clergyman. and the services pro
cecdcd without any further Interrupt.
| ton.
From the church the couple were
I driven 10 the station and from Their"
started on wedding journey Seated
side by side IN their private compart
meni MIR Smith reverted to the only
| con;retemps that occurred In the mar
riage ceremony
What a stupid blunder made in
not providing wedding ring. When
! gave YOU the solitaire at our engage.
ment supposed it was all that was
required of me had forgotten that
when was
He stopped short.
Forgotten whatf" asked the bride.
Still there was no answer. Instead
he asked 10 see the ring with which
he had married her. She refused. say
ing II was connected with the early
affair ~ which she had spoken when
he proposed 10 her and he must con.
tent himself always 10 see II on her
finger without an inspection.
Its not an engagement ring" be
said. "for II IS plain gold circlet with
out stone It's more like wedding
ring"
The blood mounted 10 the ladys
cheek She showed signs Of collapse.
What troubles youf' asked the
groom anXinusly
II should nave told YOU. ! have been
married The ring Is the one used AZ
my first marriage"
As she spoke she drew II from her
finger aud handed II to him Inside
were the Initials "E VI : 10 |. J.
"Why. II NJ s. are my initials Ed