Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1884-04-04
A MOCK MARaIAGE.

an AiThlu HOJ, SlT. enc IL very muCL
occupied just now hut you may see hel
later If you choose to wait" said a
dapper young man In immaculate even
ing dress, as he paused in buried cour.
tesy at the door Of The little anteroOm
where the Rev Silas Carieigh sat wait
ing.
81 will watt" said the tired young
minister, who had journeyed many a
mile that day, and who had arrived a,
his destination much before his coming
had been anticipated by Miss Chris.
tine-the charming girl he loved, and
who was to become his wife now that
he was ordained and had little par
ish of his own.
His coming had been premature and
unannounced an unfamiliar servant
had admitted him Christine had not
become visible, and the grand house
was filled with festivity and strange
people. And he felt decidedly disap-
pointed and uncomfortable az he set
there neglected and alone in the seclu-
ded and deserted anteroom.
81 will wait" he said, with a deep
sigh of fatigue and inquietude.
Perhaps you will ike to come into
the parlor, SIR" the spruce youth OBJ
served, with an air Of condescension.
"YOu will not be unwelcone; ! dare
say you are friend of the family"
shall do very we'll here; thanks, "
Mr. Carleigh returned with quiet decis-
ion
The other, with jaunty salute trip.
ped briskly away and for another
uneasy hour he sat there listening to
the undistnct sOunds-the hustle Of the
laughter, the music and the happy
voices-trom the rather distant parlors,
and wondering why she did not come
to him, his fair Christine, with her al
ways glad and tender greeting.
She cannot have been informed
that am bere," he thought, with some
temperate impatience, as be arose and
began a restless promenade up and
down the small apartment, occasionally
stopping in the corridor by the open
door, intent for the tap of her dainty
boots Oh the stairs. for the CLEAN of her
bright hair, for the hustle of ler silken
dress.
He was 70 eager for her presence, he
loved her 30 dearly-this sweet, true
girl, who had remained loyal to him
through all his struggles to attain a place
worthy of her, and who, had she de-
sired, might have welded many anoth-
er, handsomer, Weather, AID more emf
nent than himself.
AS he paused for a moment In his
confined promenade, he perceived the
dapper young gentleman hurrying
along the corridor
ooh, l Ray, sir" suddenly cried the
consequential parsonage, in faultless
broadcloth, "could you not assist us a
bit? Such an awkward thing has hap
pened- awkward, you know
The individual who was to have per-
formed an important part has sent ex-
cuses, at the last moment, and every.
body waiting. Could you help us with
neat, pretty, expeditions marriage oere-
mOny, sir %
"a marriage ceremony p the young
minister echoed in surprise and with
becoming clerical interest. have
never yet OBLIGATED in that capacity,
and"
"Oh, of course you have not, tho
other interrupted, airily. But we
can't dispense with those interesting
services, you know and there isn't a
person in the house who can help US
through--unless you can oblige u.s.
But it is so abrupt, it seems 80 ir-
regular" protested the inexperienced
young clergyman. do not know the
contracting parties, and
"Oh, it il all right" irreverently
and persuasiSely interpostd the other,
believing that Mr.. Carleigh hesitated
only because he was there unlimited.
"You are friend of the family and
every body will be delighted"
Marveling much and still reluctant,
Mr.. Carleigh followed his conductor
down the long corridor and into o
slightly darkened room at the further
end of the parlors.
The bride and groom we're before
him, and instantly portiere was
drawn noislessly aside disclosing the
bridal group to the gratfied guests:
Silas Carleigh was not particularly Il
astute man, and perhaps at that NOM
emit he was more than ordinarily obtuse;
and besides he was fatiguPd with his
Journey, and somewhat Hurried by the
seeming neglect imposed upon him.
And certainly, despite his mild Won
der at the strangeness of 1t all-at the
old habiiments of the groom, at the
incongruous attire of the bride whose
veiled face he could not distinguish
he did not in the least surmise any
thing mimetic in the scene.
He had been assured that a marriage
service was required and this
service he performed as neatly and ex-
as even his tinical and
brisk director could desire. !.
81 now pronounce you man and
wife" he said, with the sole unity con.
sistent with tho occasion, when he had
finished what he had
been enjoined to do.
The next instant the portteSe was
closed, the lights turned on. the bride
threw back her veil, and he stood race
to face with Christine.
Christine!' he gnsped, shocked to
the very depths of his soul. You
might at least have spared such hui
initiation as this"
To know her untrue would have DIS
tressed him sufficiently; that she would
desire him to marry her to another IN
This unaccountable manner seemed to
his dared understanding like trickery
and insult.
"It was part of the play" Christine
explained in deprecatory tones, deem,
ING that he was distressed and offended
onIy by what seemed to him the pro-
fanation of a holy rite. The mock
is part of the farce welded
by Starlight We are having Parlor
theatricals tonight, and did not know
you were here. did not know you
were the mock priest until the curtain
went down our starlight was so
dark, my veil was so thick and your
voice was so strange."S /
"a mock priest" the distracted
young clergyman respected, shuddering.
Il There was no mockery in the servicei
lust now. The vows that you have this
night assumed are binding 80 long as
YOU both may live, Christine IL,
= i IL NrNVI 1