The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1885-06-17

| "MOlle, TINS is classmate Oh 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 parson in such fashion. The
man was a gentleman, with fine face
and dignifed bearing. The girl was
pretty, but more than that, she had an
air of courage, of self.reliance; she was
not a weak piece of pink and white flesh.
An older couple was with them, a some
what frightened middle aged man and
very nervous middle-aged woman, evi.
IDENTIFY his wife, for she clung to his arm
helplessly.
81 ain 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 y-three-and l 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 must
ooii iOl bu-luOllOW, ohu L Wdht
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 checks.
"Where is your homer he asked.
81 have none" she answered. 'I
have neither father nor mother. 1 have
been living in Philadelphia with my
guardian" The words were spoken
softly, but her eyes flashed. 81 am free
to do as 1 please, she went on. ''My
guardian has no right to dictate any
longer"
Hump said DR.. Melton, passing his
hand over his beard. "And you are
from Philadelphia, too" he added, turn
ing to Mr.. Dunbar.
II am" was the curt response.
"Your name sounds familiar" said
the parson. "Could 1 have seen it
the other day in list of passengers for
Europe2"
"He scanned the faces before him.
The mans jaws clicked; the girls flush
deepened into crimson.
''We are free to marry" said Mr.. Dun
bar. "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; but there is no use
in wasting words. Will you marry usG"
Eyes" 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
! 60 in, fn vati,r,o 20 tIo
"a runaway country coupled" said Mr..
Leigh.
Il can't swear to the country part" {"
the parson answered, as he drew a GER
| tificate out of his desk.
81 wonder you are willing to perform
the ceremony" Mr.. Leigh remarked. 81
should think it was a great risk to marry
runaway couples"
"The risk is greater without it." said
the parson. '1f / don't tie the knot,
somebody will, and it is generally a sat
isfaction to one to know that the knot is
lied. In this case however, am quite
sure am doing right"
He went back to the parlor with the
certificate, taking pen and ink, so that
the witnesses might sign their names.
Mr.. Dunbar shook him by the hand,
leaving 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 a word, said, sud
denly, II will tell you, sir, that you will
never regret having helped this mar
riage."
II don't believe 1 could have helped
it, )" said the parson, with droll glance
at the new made husband. II might
have been the means of delerring it, but
Mr.. Dunbar intends to take his wife to
Europe in spite of dozen tyrannical
guardians and a dozen more reluctant
clergymen. God bless you and make you
happyw he added, taking the young
wife's hand,
Her eyes filled with tears, but her hus-
band 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 welded
bliss brings happiness.
He returned to the study and gave the
wedding fee to his daughter, who bore
it off in triumph to her mother.
"Does this sort of thing happen
oftenl" 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. Blythe
way, it was a Philadelphia party-a
William Dunbar"
Mr. Leigh started from his chair.
'Dunbar!" he repeated. And the
girll"
kate Perry-Katherine, rather"
Mr. Leigh stared at him vacantly. 'My
ward ~ he cried, in sudden anger.
Sand after all l told you! Why didn't
you call me in there2"
GLOW was | to know that2" 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,