Married For Fun

"What has boen plannod tor to-niorrow evening?" cried a chorus of voices, as a smail eompany of young peoplü, camping outamongthe New Harnpshire mountuins, wero about to sepáralo for the night. Tho" question brought two or three early birds.who woro hastening to thoir tcnts, back arnong tho rest of tho company te discuss some new plcasure or sport for the uext evening's entertainment. Several plans wore suggostod. but none of thenj met .vit)] the npproval of the wholo party. 'Mr. Carlson jou have :is jet suggestcd üothiDg. What do jou think it would b pleasnnt to do to-morrow night?" asked one of tho youag ladies. "Í, MissMarj ?" answered the young ru&n addressed, who until this moment had been leaning indifferent!}" agsinst a tree. "1 am going to the villago to morrow, and probabJy wil! not return until tbe following day. Tho faces of tho whole party feil, while itwas evident from their tones of regret that Mr. Carlson was a great favorito in camp. "Mr. Carlson must have found some modem Maud Muller, who offers attractiona much superior to ours, else he would not make such frequent journeys to the large metropolis of Medvillo." This remark was mado iu a very sarcastictone by a young lady whc was stirring the dying embers of the camp firo, theroby causing a showor of sparks to fly arronnd her. The blood nsounted high into the face of tho gentleman addressed, and, reaching out his hand to brush oíF a spark which had fallen on tho young ladie's dross, Mr. Camisón said in a low tone: "Miss Thurston, what matters it to you if I go or stay?" But bef ore his question could be answered, Carlson' s sister criod petulantly: "Oh, friends let him go. He toldmo he had a business appointment, and Aithur will never break an appointment, no matter bow trivial, useless, perhaps, for a wedding or funeral." "Woll, a funeral we will not have, even to kepp your charming company, Art," cried a boyishvoico. "Wemight have a wedding," the ownor of the voice continued; "I wouldn't mind being party to that, myself," and tho speaker looked mischievoisly at one of tho ladies, who colored deeply and walked away in seeming anger. "Here! here!" cried all the gentlomen laughingly. "who will volunteer to have a wedding on Carson's account. The boyish voice spoke again: "No one loves you enough, Art, to be marriedfor you but me, "and I supposo I can't be a wedding all by myself. "I will help you out of that, Cousin John," gaily cried Miss Thurston; "I have been meditatiag marriage for some time, and this is tho first opportunity - Well," she said, rather hositatiDgly, "This is tho first opportunity which I have cared to embrace." "But, Margie," replied her Cousin John, as if greatly perplexed, "yousee, not anticipating this event, and nover having been encouraged by you to consider myself a candidato for such honor, I havo spoken to another girl upon the some subject." Every one joined in the laugh at Miss Thurston's expense but Arthur Carlson, "Miss Thurston," ho said, when the laugh had subsided, "you have been jilted; allowme to ofier you reparation. If it is only tho opportunity you care to embrace, a chango of groom can mako but littlo diflerence. If you will be first party to the contract I will agree to be second, and will return to-morrow evening, with all nocesearv prolimiDaries, in timo for our weddiDgVl "You are certainly veiy kind, Mr. Carlbon," replied Miss Thurston, naughtily. "Peoplo who are so generous seldom expect their generosity to be accepted, bul I shall surprise you by agreeing to your proposition." "1 was in earnest when 1 mado the proposition, Miss Thurston." "And l'm eamest when I acco-jted it, Mr. Carlson." These two v.ero over at sword' points. Thcy had quarreliod together since babyhood, and although, up to this time, each had guarded the secret jealously from tho other, vet it was evident lo most of their friends that the two u-ero dearer to eaeh other iu their quarrols than many otl)er people in their friendships. The party now separated for the night, olated at the prospect of tho next ovoning's entertainmout, but that the jest would bccome reality nevev entered tho'r thoughts. When the party broakfa3ted tho next moniing Mr. Carlson :is already on his way to the village. I: was agrred that part of tho day sbould be spenc ia preparing a placo for the mocK ciiremony. Miss Thnrston waj tho gayut-t of the gay, and peals of mtrry laughier awoko answering cchoes from rock and clifl". Only once oí twicí', when alone ín her tent, her chceks paled as sbo wondered w hat Arlhur Carlson would do, for lio had ljoked deterüiincd the night beforo. "Well," said Miss Thurston to herself, "your word is givon now, Margaret Louise Thurston, and a Thuiston was never known to break their word." In the late afternoon her f nonds canie to dress her for the wedding. Tliey draped her in tomo lluffy, white dress, which filied out tho girhsh whilo form to tho best, coiled tno luxuriant brown hair around her head, and placed a bunch of simplo mountain flowers at her belt. Nover beforo had slio looked bo beautiful nor so deüant. A commotion outside the tont annonnccd Carlson's return, and Miss Thurston, surrounded by laughing friends, went out to meet him. "Maggio," said her cousin John, striking up to her angrily, "tbis farce has gono íar enough. Carlson is certainly domented. He has brought a full-tlodged parson witü bim without even mentioning that this is all jest. iTou must put a ctop to it at once, for it is a downright shamo to trifle with such eerions things to this extent." At these words Miss Thurston grew very palé, but her friends laugheu anrt said : "Of courso he is not a real minister, John Shepherd. This is only part of the joke." "Yes, he is a real minister," was the reply, "for I heard him proach in the villago only last, Sunday." At this moment Mr. Carlson carne up. Ho, too. was palo, but bis oyes burned with an intenso íiro. "MissThurston." ho said, "I was in terrible earnest when I said what I did last oveniDg. In proef of which I have procured hceuse and minister. Will you bemy wifo?" Thoso who had been most forward in urging on tho joko wero now most earnest in dissuading their friends against such a highly improper proceeding, but Carlson's intenso eyes woro upon Margarot's face, and his voice said : "You and l havo lived for fun all our lives ; let us now bo marriod for fun." The very demon of reckiessness took possession of M83 Thurslon's spirit. If Carlson had asked her tboro. before them all, to marry him for love, sho would havo turned oway, shockcd and grieved - but for fun; yes, she would duro as mueh as he, and she immedialely stepped to Carlson's side, remarking in i laiihing tone, "Yes, Mr. Carlson, I will marry you for fun." "'Margio, this cannot go on. Wbat will your father say and feel?" and her cousin stormed up and dowu before tho tents, appealing flrst to one and then to tho other but all to no avail. this moment the minister whom Mr. Carlson had secured, carne out of his tent, and the young couple took the places which had been pre pared for thom whon a mock ceremony had beun in viow. A silenco feil over lbo little group as tho solemn words of the boau'iful Episcopal service feli upon their ears, Then raug out the. responsos: From the bndo, low aud detiaul; from tho grooin, clóar and (ieternnneü. "That y e muy sa iro together in this lifu that in the norkl to como ye may have life cveilasting. " Margarot forgot thoso words. Iu coming d.iys .vhs ropeatcd them over aud over to bërself until she almost prayed to bave Ihem blotted out from her meinory By the iiu;o the ceremouy was ünlshed the uiiiücnco iiad concluded that the nffair had beon planned beforehand iu sei-ret, and that thoy woro the dupes of tho joke. Accordingly, nevor was eompany gayer than thoirs that night, and the werryniaking was cntinued inio the morniag faoUTB. The camp broko up in a day or two. Mr. aud Mr?. Carlson partod from their frionds in apparontly high spirits. Arrived at their home, where the news had preceded them, the culprits woro received with real forgiveness, for, undoubtodJy, tho match was a splondid ono. Judgo Thurston's family had been known and honored in the com numity for yoars; whilo Mr. Carlson was the junior member of a large and wealthy tirm i'ealing in fine imported good3. Two weeks passed after their return in which Arthur saw but little of his wifo. Judge Thurston's summer residenco was a number of miles from tho city, and the gentlemen could only run down for over Sunday. On theso days tho two woro as uncomfortablo as possible in each other's presence, and avoided being left alone íosrether. One quiet Sabbath eveuiug Arthur carne out of tho judge's library with a palo face and set lips. Ascending tho stairs with f altering steps ho sought his wifo's room and knocked at the door. "Come in," said a low voice. Entering ho saw Margaret sitting in a low chair, with her light-brown hair falling about her shoulders in great profusión. He had not seon her so bofore, and somo great mental emotion kapt him from noticing the look of glad surprise which passed into his wifo's faco as sho perceived who hor visitor was. Mr. Carlson checked tho impetuous words which rose to his lips, and spoke in a volco of stramod coldness. "Margaret," ho said, advancmg to her side, "I desiro a few aiomonts conversation if it will not ineonvenieiice you." The light died out out of the bright eyes at theso seemingly cold words. "You havo occupied my timo so little of lato that I can givo you a few moments without great inconvenience," she replied, without rising. "You and 1 mado a great niistake, Margio," her husband continued, sadiy. "I take my duo sharo of the blame; but even I would never dared to do this if 1 had not thought - but no matter what I thought. We were married for fun, of course, and now we do not find so much fun ss wo anticipated. I havo been speaking with your fathor. He 'vill not hear to a dtvorce, nor is there sufiicient grounds for ono if wo desired it. But he agrees with me that you and I cannot livo in tbis mutual state of unhappiness. I would give anjthing if I could uu lo tho past, but that is impossible. It is necessary that one member of our fiim livo abroad. Í consider tho necessity very opportune, and shall havo all n y arraugements completed by next week to sail for Europe. This is not so hard for me, for I am a man, but for you -God forgivo me for what-" "You mistake. Mr. Carlson," interrupted his wife, icily. "It is the easiest and most appropriato tbing that could bodone." ArtLur lookcd down at the figuro before him. The darknoss and the wavy mitsses of hair hid her face, olso he surely would have seen lbo whito lips and burning, tcarless eyes. "I da not blame you Margie," he said, gently, but sadly. "L only wonder that you can bear mo hero at all. I cravo your forgiveness and I pray God that I miij not utterly blight your happy lifo " Arthur waited a moment as if to hear ono word of farowell, but the figuro bofore him nover moved or spoke. Then, gazingintently at his wifo, to imprint upon bis mind a picture that ho never forgot, he turnod and left the room. All night long Margaret sat in the little, lo.v chair whoro Arthur had left her. Only once she stooped to piek up a crushed flosver, witli which ho had boen playicg, and pressed it passionatoly to her lips. . Two years now paesed away, and the followiDg winter found Judgo Thurston and liii daughter uuder tho gentío skifcs of Florence. Tho Judge was sufleriug in hoalth, which somo said was tluu lo Margaret's unlucky marriage. Howevor that was, the two were vi rv dear to o.icho'her anl wero rarely sein apart. . Several days aftor their arrival in Florence Margarot met her landlady in tho hall, who, with a tray in her hend, was just coming out of the room opposito. Stopping to inquiro if any ono were il), the kind but gossipy littlo landlady began to teil in broken Italian of tho young foreigner who had come to hor a few weeks bofore, and who shortly after had been taken ill with a fover, and now was very ill indeed. Sho said tho young man had no friends, aud that the good doctor often eame away looking very grave indeed. After that day maDy a dainty boquetor basket of luscious fruit found its way to thosick nian, whilo tho landlady often told the young gentleman of tho tall, faced ladv wuo had sont the gifts. One day, as "this samo lady stepped out of hor room proparod for a drive, sho inet the doctor returning from a visit to bifl patiënt. The doctor advaneed toward her hesitatingly. "You aro an American, Miss?" ho said at last. "Yos, sir. ' Margaret answercd topleasanüy that tho doctor continued with more anee, at the same time waving with his hand to the room ho had just left: 'There is a younggontlemanin tliere, Miss, who la nol long: for tbis world. He is an American, also. It is very hard to die so. Miss - sogreatadistance from one's people, and with no idnd friends." "You aro ritrht," Margarot answered gravely. "It is indeed hard. My father spoko yesterday of going in to see tho gentleman. Ho is out just at presont. but if I may I will go in now." After a momont's absonco tho doctor returnoc and conducted Margarot into the room. Tho curtains were closely drawn, and coming from the light into tho darknoss sho was blinded for a moment. Not so wilh tho sick man. Looking up to greet his visitor ho uttered a -harp cry f.ud the one word "Margie!". Margaret stood as if stunned, and ihen, advanoing rapidly to the bed sho knooled down besido it and buried hor f&co in tho pillows. Tlio poor doctor with a confused iooked turnvd and hasiily left tho room. Thero was a moment's stillne.ss, broken only by Margaret's low sobbing. Tho form before hor seomed to bo tho wreek of a onco strong and beautiful manhood. The sick in-tu was Arthur Carlson. Ho aised his thin, wasted hand and tender ly stroked tlio bright locks on tho pillow beside him. "Poor littlo Margie." ho said faintly, "you will sxn bo iroe now." Then, Margaret nover knew bow, she forgot, ovorything connected with the past, she only rememborod th at the man lyiug thore, sick unto death, was her husband. At last the proud spirit was humblod, and she confessed what sho had kept so joalously guarded in hor ovvn breastso lonsr. "Oh Arthar," she cried in her agony, '() my husband, only forget tho past "and try'to live for tho future. God helping me, I will yet win your lovo." The white face on the pillow lit up liko the countonance of the dying who soo heavenly visions. Tho excitement of the moment gave Arthur back his strriigth RaiMiig hitiiseli up on his üHo.v, ho lifujd tho bright bead beside him tintil lio could look into iho lovelit oyes. In ono moment they read the mistake of those yoars in oach otlier's faca. Each had loved, each had misunderstood. "Great God! is it possiblo " but the momentary strength forsook the frame of the sick man, and ho feil back on his pillow liko one dead. The doctor, stilt much confused, had waited in tho hall, from which he was hastily suninioned to the sick room. For many days the ilickering flame of life burnod low, but it was fed from the fountain of love in. the breast whicli now so ofton pillowed tho weary head. The kind old doctor worked and watched as he had novor dono bofore, and he and the landlady held many a whispered consultation in the hallabout the turn which affairs had takeo. At last death was conquered. But it was not for many weeks- not until Arthur was stroag enough to ride out by tho sparkling blue sea - did they two speak of tho pa3t. Then when they had put it awaj' forev( r Arthur dtew his wifo very tenderly 1.. i.n and said: "Onriovo was born se i ' ,' ago that it almost had no begin:' ■ u ; and now, thank God, it will never kuow on ending."