CHAPTER XXXII.
THE WANDERER'S RETURN.
The day after his attempted suicide, Senator Hamblin, holding aninterview with his daughter, again deceived her, saying that Mannis,fully cognizant of his financial embarrassment, offered to assist himwhen she became his wife. Belle exacted a promise from her father thathe would inform Mannis of her marriage with George Alden, and that herheart could never be another's. If Mannis wished her to become his wifeafter knowing all, she would be ready to make the sacrifice to save herfather.
For several days after this conversation, Belle, almost frantic withgrief, remained in her own private apartment. Consenting to wed a manwhom she believed indirectly responsible for her unhappiness, hercondition became pitiable, and she moaned and sobbed continually.
"If I could only die and be laid beside my husband in yonder cemetery!"she said. "I fear I shall lose my reason, for this awful sacrifice I amabout to make will break my heart. I cannot love another, much less thisman who drove my poor sick husband into his grave. Is there no other wayto avert the calamity awaiting Papa?"
"No, my child," replied her mother. "I fear not. You have promised tosacrifice yourself upon the altar of duty, to save your father. Youhave always been a brave girl, and you must rouse yourself from thisdespondency. You must be calm, or your health--yes, perhaps your lifewill pay the penalty."
"Oh, why did Papa allow himself to be led into this difficulty? God pityus all!"
Her mother was with her day and night, while Fannie Alden came often,and to her Belle related all her trials. She did not withhold the factof her father's financial troubles from her sister-in-law; she even toldof the attempted suicide, which greatly shocked Fannie, for the affairhad been kept from the knowledge of the public. In words accompanied bysobs, Belle related her promise to wed Walter Mannis in order to saveher father from ruin, and then she gave way to an outburst of tears.Fannie mingled her tears with those of the distracted girl, but said:
"Belle, my dear sister, your duty is plain. Poor George cannot return.You are young, and time may temper the roughness of that which now seemsso hard and cruel. Oh, it is hard that fate decrees this sacrifice, butthe ways of Providence are mysterious and past comprehension. You will,at least, occupy a position of honor, for Mr. Mannis is a rising man inthe world, and many will envy you."
"Envy me! It seems criminal to wed such a man! He was the evil geniusthat followed my dear husband; indirectly, he sent George into eternity."
Thus she reasoned, and instead of becoming reconciled to her fate,grieved day and night.
Senator Hamblin at first felt a return of happiness. After recoveringfrom the shock of his attempted suicide he seemed much changed, andbegan to look upon life as possessing more attractions. He desired tolive, and tried to believe the marriage of his daughter would prolongher days; but when he saw her rapidly sink under her load of grief hisgloominess returned. He thought the calamity of failure indefinitelypostponed, but when he beheld the cost he reproached himself. He haddeceived his child, for he was well aware her sense of honor wouldnot permit her to marry Mannis and be a party to deceit. This thoughttroubled him so greatly, his former distraction of mind returned.
"Could I restore George Alden," he said, "I would face the disgrace offinancial ruin instead of continuing this deception. Her affections areburied in the grave on yonder hillside, and I am afraid she will hardlylive to become the wife of Mannis."
He visited her daily, and once sitting at her bedside, where she almostconstantly remained, he said:
"Belle, my daughter, would that I could extricate myself from thisdilemma at a less cost than the sacrifice of your health."
"Papa, I am a poor weak girl, and Mr. Mannis must take my hand withoutmy heart. It is all I can give. But as he understands it, I am ready forthe sacrifice; and if it will be the means of saving you from disgrace Ishall be repaid."
Senator Hamblin felt guilty at his deception in not informing Mannis,as he had promised; for, writing of his daughter's consent, he simplyreferred to the girl's low spirits and failing health. Mannis wasprepared for this information, and in his reply pretended to be affectedby her suffering, and expressed much sympathy for her. He closedby informing his expectant father-in-law of his intention to visitCleverdale the following week, when all preliminaries could be arrangedfor the consummation of his long-deferred wish.
One week later Mannis arrived. Senator Hamblin took him directly to hishome, when an interview between Belle and himself was arranged. As thepoor girl's affianced husband met her he took her cold hand in his,raised it to his lips, and said:
"It is long since we met, but you have ever been present in my mind."
With great coldness and formality she replied:
"I have seen much trouble since then."
"I know it, and my heartfelt sympathy has ever been yours. Your decisionto become my wife has brought unspeakable joy to my heart. Ah! MissBelle, when you are mine we will seek other scenes, and drive away thedark clouds of gloom surrounding you. Your pale cheeks shall bloomagain, believe me."
The interview was of short duration, Belle acting mechanically in allher movements. She was like one in a trance, and Mannis noticed a greatchange in her since the day he was her father's guest at Lake George,nearly three years previous. He had seen her only twice since the sadevent of little Willie's death.
As he expressed his desire for an early marriage, the day was appointedfor a month later.
Mannis remained, dining with Senator Hamblin. But Belle, overcome by theinterview, retired to her room, and neither mother nor daughter appearedat the table.
The engagement of Hon. Walter Mannis and Miss Belle Hamblin was soon thetheme of general conversation. "Society papers" recorded it, and long,glowing descriptions of the contracting parties were printed. Mannis wasspoken of as one of the leading men in the State, while the beauty ofMiss Hamblin was extolled in rapturous terms of praise.
While the public congratulated the honorable gentleman and his beautiful_fiancee_ on their engagement, there was one sad-hearted maiden whosecretly mourned the inconstancy of man. Poor Mary Harris received theannouncement as if it were a poisoned arrow. She had trusted him withall the simplicity of innocence, and she was unable to cast him out ofher heart, even after being assured of his treachery.
In solitude she shed many tears, but never did she impart the secret ofher trouble to any one. A motherless girl, her father's eyes had notbeen as watchful of her as of his farm duties. He knew Mannis was avisitor at the farm-house, but never imagined that the attentions paidhis daughter were more than that of any other neighbor. The poor girl,knowing well her father's disposition, withheld her secret, lest Mannisshould be called upon to pay the debt with his life. So she had sufferedand borne her load in silence, fondly hoping the man she loved wouldeventually keep his promise, and save her from disgrace.
Preparations for the marriage commencing, dressmakers came, and Bellesubmitted herself to their manipulations. As she was unable to shedtears, the anxiety of her mother was greatly increased. Belle had metMannis several times, but the interviews were never of long duration,the expectant bride acting like the bride of death. Mannis tried torouse her, but she remained cold, listless, and resigned, like a lambbeing prepared for slaughter. Her beautiful eyes occasionally sparkled,but all the old intelligence had been succeeded by a languid and almostmeaningless look. This state of affairs could not be kept from theoutside world. The dressmakers saw her condition, and of course theytalked--dressmakers always do. Then Dame Rumor said the girl was slowlydying. Some attributed her decline to the death of George Alden, evenaccusing Belle of treating the cashier in such a manner as to make himtake his own life and cause her to suffer the pangs of remorse. Anotherclass made her the victim of a father's determination that his daughtershould marry against her will; while others mercifully believed she wasmerely dying of quick consumption.
The wedding ceremony was to be very private, the bride's health notadmitting of excit
ement. Mannis, somewhat disappointed, as he desireda brilliant wedding, yielded to the wishes of his betrothed. Theevening before the wedding he called at the Hamblin mansion, and heldan interview with Belle, remaining for an hour. When leaving he tookBelle's hand in his own, and before she was aware of his intention hedrew her toward him, and imprinted his first kiss upon her brow. Bellegave a spasmodic scream, placed both hands over her heart, and drew backsuddenly as if bitten by a serpent.
"What is the matter, Belle?" inquired Mannis, greatly alarmed.
"My heart is bursting! Oh, leave me, please, for the present. It is onlya momentary pain. To-morrow I will be well and cheerful. Yes, I willoverflow with joy. Go--go, now!"
Noting the singular appearance of her face, Mannis was startled, forhe saw that Belle appeared as if unconscious of her actions. Hastilyleaving the room and going directly to the apartment of Mrs. Hamblin, hesaid:
"Belle is not well. Please go to her."
Mrs. Hamblin was quickly with her daughter, whom she found lying uponthe sofa, shedding the first tears that had passed her eyelids for manydays.
"Oh, mother!" she sobbed, "his lips touched my forehead, and I the wifeof George Alden."
An hour later she was sleeping. As she roamed about dreamland, shepassed through many familiar scenes. She paused at a little cottage,where she remained, enjoying many happy hours with her husband. As shetook her departure, Walter Mannis suddenly appeared before her, and withone sweep of his hand dashed the little cottage and its beloved occupantto pieces. She shrieked and started to run, when, stretching forth hishand, he caught her by the waist, and as he placed his lips against herforehead sharp needles entered her quivering heart, causing her to crywith pain. The fright awakened her, and she could sleep no more for along time.
The day appointed for the wedding was a gloomy one. The sky washidden by dark clouds; rain fell during the whole day, the weatherbeing a reflex of the hearts of all within the Hamblin mansion. Evenlittle Geordie felt the gloom in his young heart, and wondered why awedding-day was so sad.
The ceremony was to be witnessed only by relatives of the contractingparties. Belle's face was placid, but sad resignation to her fatebeaming peacefully from her beautiful eyes, she was more like an angelthan a bride.
While being dressed in travelling costume for the ceremony she waspassive as a doll in the hands of her mother and maid, seeming to havelost all interest in everything about her, except her kind mother,to whom she spoke often of the future, and of saving her father fromdisgrace.
As the hour approached when she was to be made the wife of WalterMannis, many tokens of affection were received from friends in the wayof bridal presents.
"Take them away," she said. "They are but wreaths for a tomb."
At seven o'clock, Mrs. Hamblin entered the room, informing her daughterthe bridegroom awaited her. Tears sprang to Belle's eyes as she pressedher lips warmly against a photograph of George Alden.
A moment later she stood in the parlor beside Walter Mannis. Theofficiating clergyman had just finished a prayer, and commenced theceremony by taking the icy hand of the bride and placing it in that ofMannis, and was about to pronounce the words making the twain one, whenthe door was hastily thrown open, and a handsome, black-bearded manstood in the presence of the bridal party.
"I forbid this marriage!" he exclaimed. "The woman has a living husband."
There was astonishment on the faces of all present. Belle was the firstto recognize the intruder. Throwing up her arms, she wildly cried:
"George--my husband! Thank--" and fell fainting in the arms of GeorgeAlden.
Senator Hamblin stared at the man before him as if transfixed. Mrs.Hamblin, Fannie Alden, the clergyman and all others present were likestatues, still and immovable. But Mannis, having looked once at thestranger, fled hastily from the house.