The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-01-22

big scarlet roses at one side, ana VIII
bonnet that set off her dark hair. Ana Wii az
did Miss Warburton wear, you want "
know? declares lust don't remember AZ
this moment. but she was got up fine, you
may be sure, Mrs. Tomkins, my dear Ms.
Wells didn't want Miss Hattie to wear tna'
white dress, for she said 1t was too snowy
like to go out in; but the young lady only
laughed and ran out of the room, calling "
me that she was ready. AT last we on
and Mr.. Bachelor gave his arm to Miss Car,
RE, saying that she was the first invited anu
making his excuses to the others. Miss hae-
ties eyes hlazed up, and for the first tlmc
that night knew she meant mischief. Ell,
we hadn't gone very far, both Miss Florrie
and Miss Hattie as mad MS hops, when SUD
denly Miss Carrie tripped, and though sne
had Mr.. Batchellor's arm, and to this day
don't see how he come to let her fall, down
she went all in the soft mud. / was that
frightened l could hardly speak, and MI.
Bachelor was STOPPING over her with tne
greatest anxietey to know II she were hurt.
We helped the dear lamb up, and she WASN'T
injured mite, only her dress was covered
with mud, and she had to drop behind III
tie bit with me to have it brushed off win
my whisk that had the sense never to go
without. That was the moment, Mrs. Tom
kins, my dear, for when l put that brush
sway Miss Hattie had Mr.. Bachelors arm
and wouldn't let it go, for when Miss Carrie
joined them she says, much more sweetly
than usual, "You don't mind my taking
tired, and Mr.. Bachelor is kind enough to
assist me" Her tone was polite enough,
and it must have been something in the
words that made Miss Sanderson flush all up
and say, Certainly not" and then step
back to me, for walk with Miss Florrie OF
her own accord she would not. did pity
Mr.. Bachelor, for what could the poor
man do, saddled with that young imp, unless
he affronted her out and out; and he didn't
dare do that, / knew, for at whose house
could he see Miss Carrie if not at hers? So
he swallows his disappointment as well as
he could, and Miss Warburton joys along
side OF Miss Hattie, and we could hear them
talking for dear life. 1 looked at Miss Car
RE and wanted to say something to her, but
she seemed sort Of strange with her lips
tight closed and a strained expression in her
eyes, and | couldn't breathe Mr.. Batchellor's
name to her to save my life. Well, it was a
long moonlight walk, but at last we come to
the church, and from Miss Hattie's voice
you wouldn't have guessed there was much
tire about her. did think there was very
little light about the place for a concert, but
we never suspected anything till we stepped
inside (for the door was OPEN, and only saw
two men in the building. 'Why, what is
this?" says Mr.. Bachelor, looking very
much astonished and walking up to the older
OF the two men. 81 thought there was to
be concert here tonight. Am l mistakenW
FYou didn'tsee the notice in the paper"
says the other, smiling; II was obliged to
have ministers meeting here tonight, so
we put off the music; the gentlemen will be
here in half an hour, and we couldn't well
have the two" L don't suppose Mr..
Bachelor knew who was talking to him, but
just then the other man come up, and says
he, doctor Graham, if you don't want me
for few minutes Pm going into the vestry-
room." Every well, Harris," says the
other, and off went Harris. "Have the
pleasure of speaking to the pastor of the
church himselfY says Mr.. Bachelor, look
ing surprised again. eyes," says the Doc
tor, laughing, 81 am the terrible Doctor
Graham that the ladies are all afraid Of"
And by that judged'hc was given to preach
against fine dressing, and wasting of money
on useless things when there was lots of DOR
to be helped 1 noticed Mr.. Bachelor
didn' t introduce himself nor the ladies, but
he said they would like to go over the church
and see 1t. The Doctor was quite agreea-
BILE, and then Miss Warburton insisted on
carrying Miss Sanderson upstairs to see the
galleries. Miss Carrie asked to be excused,
but Miss Florre told her she couldn't go
alone; and though Mr.. Bachelor was very
anxious to 60 too when he found Miss Car
RE was going Miss Hattie was so tired she
said she couldn't possibly attempt it, and
she was sure Mr.. Bachelor wouldn't mind
taking care Of her till the other two came
back. She did look so handsome and speak
so uncommon fair that believe poor Mr..
Bachelor had his head little turned. He
stayed anyway, and as soon as the others
were upstairs and out o. sight Miss Hattie
pulls Mr. Bachelor forward and says to the
minister (mind you, l nearly dropped when
heard herr, "MarTy us at once quick, or
it will be too lateW The Doctor started and
stared, but Mr.. Bachelor went deadly pale
and seemed speechless. He tried to say
something. but Miss Hattie pressed his arm
and looked into his face with the best put
on expression ever saw. 81 love you and
Carrie does not" she said; "do not forsake
me ~ DR.. Graham saw and heard, and
what gentleman would feel it right to tell
the truth when he was so placed? DR.. Ora
ham looked frightened and asked Miss Hat
tie if she were twenty one, and she answered
Eyes. Please hurry" And knew for fact
she was seventeen and six months But
she looked older and was generally taken
for twenty. l saw the minister, poor man,
was going to give in, and made my last eff
fort for Miss Carrie; l stepped forward.
"Miss Hattie" says 1. ''NIrs. Carter. D
says she firmly, remember your place, :"
and with that she put the book into the Doc
tors hands and impored him to begin
Well, Mrs. Tomkins, my dear, my heart had
like to have broke, 1 just sat down in the
pew and cried. The minister didn't see
nothing in that except what was natural in
friend of the poor girl, suppose, and if
had plucked up courage to make objection
to the marriage when the question was ask
ed, had nothing serviceable to say. Mr..
Bachelor was not engaged to Miss Carrie,
as far as | knew. And 1 was certain Miss
Hattie was marrying him for the money and
nothing more. But neither Of these facts
would have been of much use, so DR.. Ora
ham finished the service and they were man
and wife! The GOODNESS Of that young
wretch! When it came to the time for the
ring, she pulled one off her finger, plain
gold band that had belonged to her mother.
Mr.. Bachelor was obliged to put it on
the proper fngerl had seen Miss Hattie,
when we first came into the church, take off
her red roses and pretend to fix them over,
but when l come to look at her after the GER
emory she hadn't bit of color near her, and
it's likely that what with the white dress
and the white bonnet the minister thought
the marriage had been arranged between
the two all along, and that the couple had
intended STAYING after the concert to be
joined together. gag
Well, the last blessing had hardly been
said when down come the others, and Miss
Hattie-I mean Mrs. Bachelor, bad luck to
her-made one rush for them before I had
time to warn Miss Carrie. Wish me Joy,
wish me Joy this minute! Pm married, Pm
marriedW Miss Carrie looked turned to
stone, and drew her to a seat to try and
hide her faintness. believe her silence was
the first sign that let DIR. Graham know for
certain that the wedding was unexpected TO
Il Ill IT Z