m not marrying her for money--but to
spite Nellie Douglass, if you must know the reason. I've loved her
as I shall never again love womankind, but she cheated me. She's
married to Robert Wilbur, and now I've too much spirit to have her
think _I_ care. If she can marry, so can I--she isn't the only girl
in the world--and when I heard what she had done, I vowed I'd offer
myself to the first female I saw. As good or bad luck would have it,
'twas Mabel, who you know said yes, of course, for I verily believe
she likes me far better than I deserve. What kind of a husband I
shall make, the Lord only knows, but I'm in for it. My word is
passed, and the sooner you get us tied together the better, but for
heaven's sake, don't go to making a great parade. Mabel has no
particular home. She's here now, and why not let the ceremony take
place here. But fix it to suit yourselves, only don't let me hear
you talking about it, for fear I'll get sick of the whole thing."

This was exactly what Mrs. Livingstone desired. She had the day
before been to Frankfort herself, learning from Mrs. Atkins of Mr.
Wilbur's marriage with the English girl. She knew her son was
deceived, and it was highly necessary that he should continue so.
She felt sure that neither her daughters, Mabel, nor 'Lena knew of
Mr. Wilbur's marriage, and she resolved they should not. It was
summer, and as many of their city friends had left Frankfort for
places of fashionable resort, they received but few calls; and by
keeping them at home until the wedding was over, she trusted that all
would be safe in that quarter. Durward, too, was fortunately absent,
so she only had to deal with Mabel and John Jr. The first of these
she approached very carefully, casually telling her of Mr. Wilbur's
marriage, and then hastily adding, "But pray don't speak of it to any
one, as there are special reasons why it should not at present be
discussed. Sometime I may tell you the reason."

Mabel wondered why so small a matter should be a secret, but Mrs.
Livingstone had requested her to keep silence and that was a
sufficient reason why she should do so. The next step was to win her
consent for the ceremony to take place there, and in the course of
three weeks, saying that it was her son's wish. But on this point
she found more difficulty than she had anticipated, for Mabel shrank
from being married at the house of his father.

"It didn't look right," said she, "and she knew M