The Arkansaw traveler., 1882-12-24

and for the same rcason l went early to the church. not to be stared at and con- fused.
 Just at the last moment Tom came rushing in. followed by the sexton.
 i've got telegram frnm Lettie,s said Tom. his voice quivering. ''She IS worse. and must start at once. Jus, in time to catch the train. Good bye, old boy God bless you-
 ''i'm going. too-just came 10 wish you Joy, Mir. Bert. said the sexton, who had known me since was lad, and who had arranged for man 10 perform his duties on this oceasion. ~Sorry l can't see you married. My roads the same as your brothers. so I'll go with him."
 And on they both hurried. the door ! closing with sharp click behind them.
 The time for the arrival of the party drew near: l advanced to the door that opened into the church. designing tc open it and peep through. IL resisted my efforts. struggled with !, sharply No use. The door was locked.
 Mu'tering curse on the stupidity of the sexton. s,rode to the outer door. In shutting the door it. too. had been to, ,ked, and was as fast as fase.
 Grea, drops of perspiration stood out ons my forehead.
 What was 10 be done. l asked my self the question. and mopped my face with my immaculate handkerchief, but failed to find the answer
 Then flew back to the inner door and listened. The organ was playing gaily. and subdued hush told me tha, Nellie was entering on her fathers arm and here was ]. standing like caeed rat.
 Oh. how tried 10 open ,ha, door. My gloves split. and the preparation ran in rivers down my face and dropped of the end ot my nose: but no, one inch could budge 1t.
 have wondered since how should have looked if had succeeded in burst , ing open the door. and been suddenly projected before the frfm< dr ia .rsm< with limp collar, torn gloves, rcd face and distended eyes. l can smile now. but assure you saw no fun in it then.
 Utterly hopeless. returned to the in- ner door once more. All was silent should thunder upon its panels, and proclaim my presence and demand to be .'le, out Nobody likes to look like a fool if he can help it, and hesi,ated.
 glanced around The windows caugh. my eye-why had not thought of them could at least make my escape. and the ceremony might be delayed, and eonse- quently awkward still, Nell would no, be put utterly 10 shame. Like the madman was. seized the table, dragged 1t to the window. sprang upon it. and climbed on to the high and narrow window sill : throwing up the sash, prepared to leap out; bu, had fSckoned without my host the cord tha, held the weight was broken. consequently the moment my hand left the sash the window descended with startling rapidi,y. striking me full upon the head, and knocking me of the narrow sill. flashing my head against the sharp corner of the table, and landing me full length on the floor.
 ,ried 10 rise; something warm rushed over my face; put up my hand to clear my eyes-my hand was covered with blood.
 felt giddy and weak; still. staggered to my feet; then black mis; arose around me, and knew no more.
 This was Thursday morning On Sat urday afternoon, the sexton. returning to his duties. found me lying upon the floor half dead, wholly delirious, my face GOV: cred with blood. and hole in my head large enough to let the life ou, of any man.
 That mine was spared was because had fallen with the wound down. and the soft pile of the carpet acted like lin, to s,aunch the blood.
 As soon as could control my thoughts begged 10 know of Nellie. Poor little girl. she had been quite overwhelmed.
 When failed to appear Rates hus- band rushed out to inquire of the sexton if he had seen me. He was positive that ! had been there, and equally positive that had left again in company with hls brother-said he could not be mistaken both seemed in great hurry and had jumped into carriage and been dnsen rapidly away.
 Messengers were sent to my lodging> but without gaining a clue to my where abou,s; so. afier mor,ifying wait. Nell lie had been taken home, and the very morning of the day vas discovered the whole family had left for the continent.
 As soon as was able to stand sailed in search of the woman had so inno- gently humilia,ed. Not knowing her whereabouts It was two months before found her. 4, last, one evening. wan dering on the seashore of a quiet little French town, espied her-and alone.
 Ina, she believed me the mos, black ened villain was plain, for the look she gave me when she recognized my pres ence was one of unu,,erable contempt. Now ,ha; had found her l was deter mined she should hear the truth
 Nellie v cried, hurrying to her. and crasping both her little hands before she gould escape.
 Well, sir ?- she replied haughtily. " ing, but ;D-ng in vain, to free her hands from my clasp.
 My dariing,- pleaded, you will a, least hear a man before you condemn him"