The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1885-07-02

him, and smiling mysteriously, ".ther'
arc some people in the parlor."
"Drawing-room, my DEAR" said thu
doctor. 1--WE are in Philadelphia"
"We are not, but no matter" she re.
turned, II tell you there are some peo-
pie in the parlor, and I think it is our
first town wedding. She is very pretty,
and she has on the lovliest 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; the1
led her to his guest.
"Mollie, this is classmate of nine
My daughter, Mr.. Leigh-Mr. Harve!
Leigh of Philadelphia. You must ex
cuse me for few minutes"
He went into the adjoining parlor.
Yes, it was a wedding party, no doubt.
but the would-be bride and groom did
not look like the brides and erooms
that seek out parson in such FASH
ion. The man was gentleman, with a
fine face and dignified bearing. The
girl was pretty, but more than that, she
had an air of courage, of self-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.
II am William Dunbar" said the
young man. The parson shook hands
with him. Sand this" he added
turning to the young lady, "is Mist
Kate Perry. We are both of age-ir
fact, I am 33--and I hope you will be
good enough to marry u.s..
Mr. Dunbar was very much in
earnest. but he smiled little. "Our
marriage is sudden, " he added, because
I must sail for Europe tomorrow, and
I want to take my wife with me-"
"Where is your home?" he asked.
II have none,' she answered. II
have neither father nor mother. Ihave
been living in Philadelphia with my
guardian" The words were spoken
softly but her eyes flashed. II am
free to do as I please" she went on.
my guardian has no right to dictate
any longer"
''Hum /" said DR.. Melton, passing his
hand over his beard, "And you are
from Philadelphia too?" he asked turn
to Mr.. Dunbar.
II am was the curt response.
"Youri name sounds familiar" said the
parson. "Could I have seen it the
other day in a list of passengers for
Europe?"
He scanned the faces before him.
The mans jaws clicked; the girls flush
deepened into crimson.
1--WE are FREQ to marry" said Mr..
Dunbar. "There is no reason why We
should not be man and wife. If you
won't perform the ceremony I shall find
some one who is willing. We have
with US my uncle and aunt; and there
is 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 filled out
the certificate. This made it necessary
for him to return to the study.
"a runaway country coupler" said
Mr.. Leigh.
II can't swear to the country part,
the parson answered, as he drew GER.
tificate out of his desk.
I wonder you are willing to perform
the ceremony" Mr.. Leigh remarked.
II should think it was great risk tc
marry runaway couples"
"The risk is greater without it," sale
the parson. eff don't tie the knot
somebody will, and it is generally E
satisfaction to one to know that the
knot is tied. In this case, however, ]
am quite sure am doing right. Do
you believe in physiognomy?"
"To certain extent, yes"
"Well, so do I, and / am confident
that I have just married sweet girl tc
a man who is worthy of her."
He went back to the parlor with the
certificate, taking the pen and
ink so that the witnesses might
sign sheir names. Mr.. Dunbar SHOOK
him by the hand, leaving note
in his palm. The bride smiled slyly
upon him, and the elderly woman
bowed; but the elderly man, who so far
had not spoken word, said, suddenly,
II will tell you, sir, that you will never
regret having helped this marriage"
II don't believe I could have helped
it," said the parson, with droll glance
at the made husband. II might
have been the means of deferring it,
but Mr.. Dunbar intends to take his
wife to Europe in spite of a dozen ty-
rannical guardians and dozen more
reluctant clergymen.-God bless you
and make you happy!" he added, taking
the young wife's hand.
Her eyes filled with tears, but her
husband drew her hand through his
arm and led her away.
Two carriages were waiting outside.
One went to the north, the other to the
south, but the parson watched the one
that went to the south, for in that sat a
man and woman whom he believed he
had made happy for life, so far as we'd
ded bliss brings happiness,
He returned to his study and gave
the wedding fee to his daughter, who
bore it off in triumph to her mother.
and then he reflled his pipe.
"Does this sort of thing happen
often?" said Mr.. Leigh.
"Not precisely this sort of thing. The
bride and groom were not girl and boy.
neither did they belong to what you
would call the common class. By the
way, it was Philadelphia party-a
William Dunbar"
Mr.. Leigh started from his chair.
"Dunbar" he, repeated. "And the
girl?"
skate Perry-Katherine, father"
Mr.. Leigh stared at him vacantly.
my ward!" he cried. in sudden anger.
"And after all told you! Why didn't
you call me in there?"
GLOW was T to know that?" said DR..
Melton. "You never mentioned the
name of your ward or her lover. You
simply called him the hardware man."
Mr.. Leigh walked out of the library,
took his hat and stick, struggled into
his overcoat and left the house without
vouchsaing another word to his host
The parson showed him out, and looked
at him walking swiftly down the moon