“What I am about to disclose to you, you will promise to keep as secret as the grave?”
“I make no promise and must use my own judgment,” replied Nick.
“Well, then, the woman whom you call Alvarez is my wife.”
“Your wife?” said Nick, with real surprise.
“Unhappily, it is so.”
“I thought you said you were engaged to be married to Miss Bland?” interjected Nick.
“Yes, sir. But I shall have to explain everything to you. When I was in Florida last winter I met her. She was very beautiful, and threw herself in my way. I became infatuated, and one night, while slightly intoxicated, I consented to marry her secretly. Her brother, who was present, insisted upon the marriage taking place at once. I discovered a few days afterward that the brother was one of a g**g of desperate gamblers. Ever si
