The Mineral argus., 1884-10-30

AEtAn I ACAA GANAA0AAEAn6 III 49, nv
by mistake, for they had only II of
the kind. This decided me to take it,
for being rather IN bsent-r1inded gen
tleman, you might easily pick up the
wrong bag"
"Thank You, Mrs. Minis, thank you;
each time that you do anything for me
you give me fresh cause to admire your
clever management and forethought.
In the wedding to take place on the
following day, Mr.. Byron felt no par
ticular interest. The contracting par
ties were almost strangers to nim, as
were also the guests, with the exception
of Willis Howard, a ~school-chum of
days gone by, and a friend ever since Of
the young clergyman.
Owing to the illness Of the brides
mother, the ceremony was performed
at home. 1t was a pretty wedding, the
bride graceful, sweet and pale as a
lily in her sheeny feecy drapery; and
among the guests was the subdued mer-
riment which prevails when the enter
tainers exhibit ~unreservedly the signs
of Joy and sorrow-the smile and tear
both coming from the heart.
After the ceremony, Mr.. Byron be-
took himself to a dressing-room to fold
his surpiice and replace it in the satchel
chosen by Mrs. Minis. While so en-
gagged a letter was handed to him with
the word Immediate" written on
spicuously on the envelope. The con-
tents were as follows:
"MARLow HALL, Thursday, 18th.
eff the Reverend Julius Byron could
find it convenient to officiate at a pri-
vate baptism this afternoon at NARROW
Hall, he would confer a great favor Oh
the undersigned. Mr.. Byron is re-
quested to pardon the apparent brus-
querie of this notice, as the case is
urgent. The two p. m. train stops al
Portland station, where a carriage will
be in waiting.
STANFIELD NARROW"
"You will go, 1 supposo?" said Willis
Howard, to whom Mr.. Byron presently
showed his note.
"Of course; one cannot refuse such a
summons. 1t is probably a question Of
life or death"
'I am due at Uxmore to-night-rath-
Ell a different errand from yours-a mas
querade party. I'm sorry we are not
travelling in the same direction"
81 am sorry also. Do you know any
thing of the people at NARROW Hall
Howard? ?"
Never heard of them before. Are
they strangers to you?"
ENTIRELY So"
.Now goodbye, old fellow; my traps
are all slowed away on the train, and
had better follow them. Take care Of
yourself among those mysterious stran-
gers"
In the hustle and confusion at the
station Mr.. Byron's satchel was mislaid
but he presently caught sight of the
familiar object ona distant table, ane
felt inwardly thankful for its ungainly
proportions and the huge brass dia'
mond which made it easily recognized
At Portland a respectably-dresse
man in charge of q wagonette came for
ward to meet Mr.. Byron; and during
the drive to the Hall the former dis
coursed freely upon the existing stat
of affairs there. A son and heir to tn
fine estate had arrived, and there hal
been great rejoicing; but within tn
twenty-four hours their Joy had bee
turned to mourning by a dispatch sum
moning the newly-made father to tn
death bed of his only sister in Ge1
many. The young mother seemed t
feel a presentiment of misfortune, an
she had insisted upon baby's being bar
tized before the departure of its father
The clergyman of the parish was ten
p~orarily absent; hence Mr.. Byron
hasty summons. The ceremony woul
be performed in the chapel connecte
with the Hall, and would be very quie
being Witnessed only by the father an
grandfather of the child, with possibl
one or two guests.
After lunching in a somber richl
decorated dining hall Mr.. Byron WI
shown to a bedroom, with the intimate
that his services in the chapel would
required in an hour if convenient
him.
There was something strange and il
teresting abour the fine old mansion,
lately a scene of rejoicing, and now s
lent as an empty church. No membe
of the family we're visible, and the gre
house seemed deserted, save for a fe
silent-footed servants.
As the time for the baptism drew ne
MI. Byron asked to be conducted to &
vestry-room. To make SUI that ever
) thing was in readiness he opened /
satchel, when, to his consternatio
' instead of drawing forth aneatly-fold
surplice he held up before his astonis
, ed gaze a doublet and hose of scarf
. and gray satin, such as might be Sc
on the stage in "As You Like It."
Alas for the ~veracity of Messrs, PIP
IL m:Anon nnI 4hn nrndulitu Of I