Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1883-03-27

usual height. 1t had been the talk of
the village for months.
To further my little scheme concern
ing Ned Williams and Katie, l went
quite early to Uncle Johns (every body
called him Uncle John, although he was
uncle only to Katie, and had quite an
animated conversation with him, in
which he must have said: "We'll do
it, by Jove, "about three hundred times,
more or less.
AS the guests entered his immense
mansion, he whispered something in a
very mysterious way to him. Every
body nodded
AT last Katie came, accompanied by
her stately aunt.
You are late" 1 whispered, as kiss
ed her. almost every one is here"
"Am I? ?" she replied. sis he here ?"
II haven't seen hin yet, my dear"
returned. A fib-I wanted Katie to
look for him herself. Excuse me for a
moment; must 60 and speak to the
Johnstons,"
Off went on another piece OF byplay
| mated the Johnstons. AS I was about
to go out of the parlor heard voices in
the hall, and, stopping uncoDsciously,
listened
"She'll never marry him." said one,
''she too much of d f1irt"
you're right" said another; he's a
fool to be so easily deceived
but she's promised" said third
THAT don't matter A fiirt promises
what she knows she don't intend to pers
form"
Have you heard the Joke we're to
play on them ?"
mo-" said the three voices in unison.
well, listen," said the speaker. He
lowered his voice.
''It's all right ~ said to myself.
/ was suddenly startled by terrific
beating on gong, and jostled along by
the crowd to the dining room.
Such dinner! Oh my!
And how everybody went into it J.
That is-how it went into them! Jack
Slemmer, the biggest hog in the village,
actually had whole turkey on his
plate, and | can't estimate how many
potatoes!
And such merriment.
Really 1 thought the whole table
would suddenly go up like powder
magazine!
The moment the dinner was finished,
Uncle John shouted:
"Of to the parlur-tO have Dance"
and away everybody went, heller skel-
ter. To my great satisfaction, saw
Katie hanging lovingly on Ned's arm.
He's forgiven me, dear Julia ~ said
Katie, as | edged to them.
And she's forgiven mel" said Ned.
Like dear little creature as she is"
Pressing her closer to him.
"Oh, don't, Ned !" said Katie.
"Of with you to the dance" I said,
and moment after l saw them whirl-
ing around in the crowd. "He hasn't
got her yet," / murmured to myself.
"She's an awful little witch, but she
shall-n
''She shall! !" said Uncle John at my
elbow
Games followed dancing.
In the midst of the merriment some
one cried, "let's play the marriage
game?"
"Yes, yes J" shouted every one.
A young man jumped upon chair
and exclaimed:
"Silence in the court. I pronounce
the bans of marriage between Edward
Williams and Katharine Hsuton, both
of this town.
Every one laughed immoderately,
Ned and Katie with the rest.
That's i,ht," said Uncle john
keep it up! Join hands," he said to
Katie and Ned. "Here, Squire Faith
ON, you play the priest"
''Ha! hal" laughed Ned. "Go on,
SIR; it shall not be said that interrupts
ed the fun!"
bravo! bravo !" shouted every body.
Nor I, either!" exclaimed Katie,
boldly.
"Stand up! stand up!" cried the
laughing crowd, as they gathered round
the couple
The lovers stood up.
"Join hands," he said solemnly, and
the little palm of Katie lay confidingly
in Ned's.
"Go on" cried the laughing girls
who stood beside her, as she seemed to
pause.
He drew himself up and went quietly
through the marriage service. Katie
listened with dreamy smile upon her
lips; perhaps she was thinking of the
time when it should all be in earnest.
Suddenly she started, as the words fell
upon her ears:
II pronounce you man and wife,
And whom God hath Joined together
let no man put asunder"
Married! !" exclaimed every one.
married ?" gasped Katie, turning
pale and looking appealingly at Ned.
He gave her gleeful, triumphant
kiss.
you were so slippery, Katie, I had
to take you unawares. Now, will you
forgive me, Mrs. Williams !"
mo, won't!" said Katie.
'Yes, you will, Katie,n said Uncle
John. "Throw yourself in his arms this
instant. NOw-one-two-thre
Katie turned, and, to the surprise of
everybody, threw herself into her lovers
arms.
" do love you, Ned" she whispered,
in his close embrace.
II know you do" said Ned.
Another dance!n shouted Uncle
John.
D..;. L.