Middletown transcript., 1883-03-30

rushing in. followed by the sexton.
"I've cot a telegram from Lettie, "
said Tom, his voice quivering. "She
is worse, and 1 must start at once
Just time to catch the train. Goodbye
old boy God bless you ]"
"I'm going, too-just came to WISH
vou ioy. Mr.. Bert said the sexton,
who had known me since l was lad,
and who had arranged for man to
perform his duties on this occasion.
"Sorry can't see you married. My
roads the same as your brothers, 50
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 we'd
ding party drew near; advanced TO
4 the door that opened into the church,
designing to open it and peep through.
It resisted my efforts. l struggled with
it sharply. No use. The door was
locked
Muttering a curse on the stupidity OF
the sexton, I strobe to the outer door.
In shutting the door it, too, had been
locked, and was as fast as fate.
Great drops of perspiration stood out
on my forehead.
What was to be done ? | 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 a subdued hush told me that
Nellie was entering on her fathers
arm, and here was I, standing like a
Gagged rat.
Oh, how 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.
1 have wondered since how l should
have looked if I had succeeded in burst
ing open the door, and been suddenly
projected before the creme de la creme,
with limp collar, torn gloves, red face
and distended eyes. 1 can smile now,
but can assure you I saw no fun in it
then.
Utterly hopeless, l returned to the
inner door once more. All was silent. |
Should l thunder upon its panels, and |
proclaim my presence and demand to
be g let out ?" Nobody likes to look
like fool if he can help it, and I hesi
tated.
l glanced around. The windows
caught my eye-why had I not thought
of them 1 could at least make my
escape, and the ceremony might be
delayed, and still, Nell would not be
utterly put to shame.
Like the madman was, seized the
table, dragged it to the window, sprang
upon it, and climbed on the high and
narrow window sill; throwing up the
sash, prepared to leap out but had
reckoned without my host !; the cord
that held the weight was broken, COIL
sequently the moment my hand left the
sash, the window descended with start
ling rapidity, striking me full upon the
head, and knocking me off the narrow
sill, dashing my head against the sharp
corner of the table, and landing me full
length on the floor.
tried to 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, stag
gered to my feet; then black mist
arose around me, and knew no more.
This was Thursday morning. On
Saturday afternoon the sexton, return
ing to his duties, found me lying upon
the floor, half dead, wholly delirious,
my face covered with blood, and a hole
in my head large enough to let the life
out of any man.
That mine was spared was because |
had fallen with the wound down, and
the soft pile of the carpet acted like
lint to staunch the blood.
AS soon as [ could control my
thoughts begged to know of Nellie.
Poor little girl she had been quite
overwhelmed.
When failed to appear, Kate's hus-
band rushed out to inquire Of the sex
ton if he had seen me. He was positive
that had been there, and equally posi-
tive that 1 had left again in company
with his brother-said he could not be
mistaken-both seemed in a great hurry
and had jumped into carriage and
been driven rapidly away.
Messengers were sent to my lodgings,
but without gaining clue to my
whereabouts so, after a mortifying
wait, Nellie. had been taken home, and
the very morning Of the day was dis
covered, the whole family had left for
the continent.
AS soon as I was able to stand, |
sailed in search of the woman had so
innocently humiliated. Not knowing
her whereabouts it was two months be-
fore [ found her. At last, one evening,
wandering on the seashore of quiet |
little French town, 1 espied her-all
alone.
That she believed me the most black
ened william was plain, for the look she
gave me when she recognized my pres
ence, was one of unutterable contempt.
Now that I had found her was de-
termined she should hear the truth.
+" Nellie 70 1 cried, hurrying to her,
and grasping both her little hands be-
fore she had time to escape.
swell, sir n she replied, haughtily,
trying, but trying in vain, to free her