Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1882-08-04

home when Lettie was i'll.
Next morning saw Nellie for mo-
ment only, but the kiss lpressed on her
dear little mouth was silent plea for
pardon, and promise for better con-
troll over my temper next time.
Evening came--the church was packed
and l, feeling most unco.nmonly
stiff and awkward in span new suit
and speckless gloves, was awaiting in
the vestry.
Nellie was to enter on her father's
arm, followed by her bridesmaids and
groomsmen-six in number-while L
was to enter in the nick of time from
the vestry, the minister from his study,
and meet before the altar.
1t was all very pretty, but | almost
knew / should make mess of it-and
did, with vengeance.
/ had requested to be allowed to be
alone, so rs TO keep my part in mind,
and for the same reason went early to
the church, not TO be stared at and con-
fused, for this show affair was not one
bit to my mind.
just at the last moment Tom came
rushing in, followed by the regular SEX
ton.
1--WE got a telegram from Lettie,"
said Tom, his voice quivering. "She is
worse, and l must start at once. just
time to catch the train. Goodbye, old
boy! God bless you!'
"Fm going too, just came TO wish you
Joy, Mr.. Bert" said the sexton, who had
known me since was lad. "Sorry l
can't see you married. My roads the
same rs your brothers, so I'll go with
him." and off they both hurried, the
door shutting with sharp click behind
them.
The time for the arrival of the we'd
ding party drew near; advanced to the
door that opened into the church, de-
signing to open it and peep through. 1t
resisted my efforts. struggled with it
sharply, no use! the door was locked!
Muttering curse on the stupidity of
the sexton, | Strode TO the outer door.
In shutting the door it too had become
locked, and was as fast as fate.
Great drops of perspiration stood ont
on my forehead. What was to be donep
asked myself the question and mopped
my face with my immaculate handker-
chief, but failed to find the answer.
Then l flew back to the inner door
and listened. The organ was playing
gayly, and subdued hush told me that
Nellie was entering on her father arm,
and here l was standing, Gagged like a
rat.
Oh, how l tried to open that door!
My gloves split, and the perspiration
ran in rivers down my face and dropped
off the end of my nose; but not one inch
could bulge it.
| + ebpu1l
have looked if l had succeeded in burst
ing open the door and been suddenly
projected before the creme de la creme
with limp collar, torn gloves and dis
tended eyes. can smile now, but | can
assure you l saw no fun in it then.
tried the door till positively no hope
remained in that direction. Then | flew
again to the outer door and pounded
and even shouted, but to no purpose.
Utterly hopeless, | returned to the
inner door once more. All was silent.
Should l thunder upon its panels and
proclaim my presence and demand tc
be "let out?" Nobody likes to look
like fool if he can help it-and hesi.
tated.
l glanced around. The windows
caught my eye-why had not thought
of themP 1 could at least make my
escape, and the ceremony might be de-
layed, and consequently awkward; still
Nell would not be utterly put to Shane.
Like the mailman | was, | seized the
table, dragged it to the window, sprane
upon it, and climbed on to the high and
narrow window-sill; throwing up the
sash, prepared to leap out; but had
reckoned without my host; the cort
that held the weight was broken, con
sequently the moment my hand left the
sash the window descended with start
ling rapiditv, striking me full upon the
head, and knocking me off the narrow
sill, dashing my head against the sharl
corner of the table, and at last landing
me full length on the floor.
| tried to rise; something warn
rushed over my face; put up my hanC
to clear my eyes-my hand was covered
with blood.
l felt giddy and weak, still | stag
gered to my feet; then black mis-
arose around me, and / knew NJ
more.
This was Thursday eve. Sunda.
afternoon the sexton, returning to hi
/ duties, found me lying upon the foo
half dead, wholly delirious, my face
covered with blood, and hole in m,
head large enough TO let the life out o
any man. That mine was spared wa
, because had fallen with the woun
down, and the soft pile of the carpe
acted like lint to staunch the blood.
AS soon as | could control m
thoughts begged to know of n ellie
Poor little girl! she had been quite over
whelmed. When / failed to appea
r Kate's husband rushed out to inquire G
| the sexton if he had seen me. He wa
t positive that had been there, and equal
positive that had left again in compan
0 with his brother-said he could nc
( be mistaken-both seemed to be in
great hurry and had jumped into a cal
t riage and been driven rapidly away.
Messengers were sent to my hCte
: but without gaining clue TO my wher,
abouts; so after NOR flying wa
1 Nellie had been taken home, and til
very morning of the day / was di
: covered the whole family sailed fc
Europe.
@ AS soon as | was able TO stand,
i sailed in search of the woman had s
g innocently humiliated. Not KNOWN
u nci WHercdDoutS IL WAS 1Wo hontnS W
l. fore / found her. AT last, one evenin,
wandering on the sea shore of qu
O little English town, l espied her-ar
alone.
= That she believed me most blacl
ened villain was plain, for the look 81
@ gave me when she recognized II
presence was one of unutterably co
:, tempt Now that had found her
a was determined she should hear Il
1t truth.
"Nellie," l cried, hurrying to he
and grasping both her little han'
10 before she had time to escape.
r "Well. sir" she replied, haughtil
trying, but trying in vain to free h
hands.
J. my darling" pleaded, "you W