News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1885-05-28


to stay a year, travelling for his firm
and when he comes back" MIR. Leigh
broke off to smile astutely and to dror
the lid over his left eye.
81 don't exactly understand your OBJ
iections to him." said DR.. Melton
slowly. "Does be drink, or keep Low
company
"No," answered Mr.. Leigh; "but-'
81 beg your pardon" said the doc.
tor, interrupting him, "but I want tc
speak in his behalf. He must be indus
trious, and no fool, and prospering, o,
he would not have jumped into this
new position. confess I don't think
you have made out clear case. Oh
course you want to see your son happy;
but If she does not love your son that
ends the matter. And if she does love
this other man, and he Is honest and
upright, why should he not have her p
she is not her equal" said Mr..
Leigh. "You know in Philadelphia
The parson rose up with stifed ex-
clamation that, coming from layman's
lips, might have sounded profane.
SIT is warm in here" he said. '1
want little fresh air; am not used to
q furnace-heated house. Poor girl |!
The city has not yet claimed me for it's
own, and I miss the fireplace in my old
study. Poor fellow I"
He threw up the window and looked
out on a wide expanse of tiny high
fenced back yards; but overhead was the
clear sea of sky, where the moon rode
at anchor amid the fleet of stars. He
stood there drawing in the crisp Decem-
Der air, until tap sounded on the door.
"Come in" he cried, and one of his
daughters entered-a tall, slim girl with
her fathers blue eyes.
"Papa, she said, pressing close to him
and smiling mysteriously, "there are
some people in the parlor."
"Drawingroom, my DEAR" said the
doctor. "We are in Philadelphia.
"We are not, but no matter" she re-
turned. 81 tell you there are some peo-
pie in the parlor, and think it is our
first town wedding. She is very pretty,
and she has on the loveliest little bonnet
you ever saw. Go marry 'em quick, and
let me be a witness, only they have two
witnesses with them"
He passed his arm about her and
kissed her, she did not know why; then
led her to his guest.
"Molie, this is classmate of mine.
My daughter, Mr.. Leigh-Mr. Harvey
Leigh, of Philadelphia. You must ex-
cuse me for a few minutes"
He went into the adjoining parlor.
Yes, it was wedding party, no doubt,
but the would-be bride and groom did
not look like the brides and grooms that
seek out a parson in such fashion.
The man was a gentleman, with fine
face and dignified bearing. The girl
was pretty, but more than that, she had
an air of courage, of seif-reliance; she
was not weak piece of pink and white
flesh. An older couple was with them,
somewhat frightened middle-aged man
and very nervous middle-aged woman,
evidently his wife, for she chung to his
arm helplessly.
ST am William Dunbar" said the
young man. The parson shook hands
with him. "And this" he. added, turn
ing to the young lady, sis Miss Kate
Perry. We are both of age--in fact,
am thirty-three-and I hope you will
be good enough to marry us"
Mr.. Dunbar was very much in earnest,
but he smiled little. "Our marriage
is sudden" he added, "because must
sail for Europe tomorrow, and want
to take my wife with me-"
The parson looked at him, then at the
girl. Her eyes met his steadily, though
faint flush stole into her cheeks.
"Where is your home ?" he asked.
ST have none," she answered. 81
have neither father nor mother. have
been living in Philadelphia with my
guardian" The words were spoken
softly, but her eyes flashed. 81 am free
to do as please" she went on. "My
guardian has no right to dictate any
longer"
"Hum p said DIR. Melton, passing his
hand over his beard. "And you are from
Philadelphia, too ?" he added, turning
to Mr.. Dunbar.
81 am," was the curt response.
"Your name sounds familiar" said
the parson. "Could have seen it the
other day in list of passengers for
Europe ?"
He scanned the faces before him.
The mans jaws clicked, the girls flush
deepened into crimson.
eve are free to marry" said Mr..
Dunbar. "There is no reason why we
should not be man and wife. Ii you
won't perform the ceremony, I shall
find some one who is willing. We have
with us my uncle and aunt; but there lis
no use in wasting words. Will you
marry us?"
"Yes," said the parson. Then he
asked few formal questions, and mar
ried them according to the ritual of the
Dutch Church. He begged them to be
seated for minute, while he filed out
the certificate. This made it necessary
for him to return to the study.
''A runaway country couple 2" said
Mr.. Leigh.
81 can't swear to the country part"
the parson answered, as he drew certi-
ficate out of his desk.
"I wonder you are willing to perform
the ceremony" MIR. Leigh remarked.
81 should think it was a great risk to
marry runaway couples.
"The risk is greater without it," said
the parson. eff I don't tie the knot |
somebody else will, and it is generally |
a satisfaction to one to know that the
knot is tied. In this case, however, I
am quite sure am doing right. Do you
believe in physiognomy
'rro certain extent, yes"
"WelI, so do I. and I am confident
that I have just married sweet girl to
a man who is worthy of her."
He went back to the parlor with the
certificate, taking pen and ink, so tina
the witnesses might sign their names.
Mr.. Dunbar shook him by the hand,
leaving a note in his palm. The bride
smiled shyly upon him, and the elderly
woman bowed: but the elderly man,
who so far had not spoken word, said,