But fate’s thread was strangely tangled, and they were intended to play the bitter tragedy out to the end, and suffer all the sorrows that fell to their lot.
“Owing to the existence of these difficulties which have just arisen we must keep our marriage for the present a most profound secret,” he said, slowly; “say that you will do this, little Jess?”
“I will do whatever you think wisest and best,” murmured the girl, vainly struggling to keep the tears back from her dark, wistful eyes.
“That is right,” he replied, hurriedly. “See, they are looking for you, as usual. Enter the house as though nothing unusual had transpired. You must go with Lawyer Abbot when he comes to take you away with him to—to the Trevalyns of New York; and I will communicate to you after you have reached there, in, say, a week or a fortnight at most, the course our future is to take. Until that time, adieu, little Jess.”
She had no time to answer him; indeed, she could not, for her poor little heart was almost bursting with grief at the thought of parting from him.
It seemed to Jess that in leaving him she would leave all the brightness and joy of her young life behind her and go forth into rayless darkness and woe.
“Where have you two been?” cried Lucy, looking anxiously from the one to the other; “my uncle, Lawyer Abbot, is here, and he is very much afraid you will cause him to miss his train.”
“I am sure the rich and elegant Mr. Moore has not been making love to her, or her face would never wear that woe-begone expression,” thought the clever Lucy, and her spirits arose high at the anticipation of Jess’ departure, which was now only a few moments distant, which would give her Mr. Moore all to herself, and she mentally resolved that no other pretty young girl should come visiting her while he was beneath that roof.
To the girl who had just been made a bride, and was bound by a solemn promise that the marriage should be kept secret, the parting from her handsome husband who was bidding her good-by so calmly was like tearing her living, beating heart in twain.
It was not until the carriage rolled away and the tall sycamore trees screened him from her sight as he waved an indifferent adieu to her from the porch that Jess broke down utterly, weeping as though her young heart was broken.