Sharp County record., 1885-06-04

\ 6St, Dul ue Slllltu Il IltIiO' Ouh iH' -
riage is sudden" she 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
a faint flush stole into her cheeks.
":Whcre is your homer" he asked.
II have none" she answered. 81
have ne ther father nor mother have
been living in Philadelphia with my
guardian. ~ The words were spoken
softly, but her eyes flashed Il am
free to do as l 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 added, turn
ing to Mr.. Dunbar
II am" was the curt response.
"Your name sounds familiar said
the parson. Gould have seen it the
other day in list of passen5 gers fol
Europe?"
He scanned the faces before him. The
mans jaws clicked the girls flush
deepened into crimson.
1--WE are free to marry" said Mr..
Dunbar. There is no reason why we
should not be man and wife. Ii yoa
won't perform the ceremony, shall find
some one who is willing. We have with
us my uncle and aunt; there is no use
in wasting words. viii you marry us?"
Yes" said the parSon. Then he
asked a few formal questions, and mar
RED them according to the ritual OF the
Dutch Church. He begged them to be
seated for a 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.
81 can't swear to the country part, y
the parson answered, as he drew GER
tificate out of his desk.
u wonder you are willing to perform
the ceremony" Mr. Leigh remarked.
~ should think it was great risk to
marry runaway couples. "
"The risk is greater without it,"
said the parson. "If | don't tie the
knot, somebody will, and it is gener-
allv a satisfaction to one to know that
the knot is tied. In this case, how
ever, am quite sure am dong right.
Do you believe in physiognomyP"
"To a certain extent, yes
Well, so do |, and | am confident
that have just married sweet girl to
man who is worthy OF her "
He went back to the parlor with the
certificate, taking pen and ink, 50 that
the witnesses might syn 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 word,
said, suddenly: 81 will tell you, sir,
that you will never regret having
helped this marriage.
Il don't believe | could have helped
it," said the parson, with a drol glance
at the new-made husband Il night
have been the means of deferring it,
but Mr.. Dunbar intends to take his wife
to Europe in spite of a dozen tyran-
nical guardians and dozen more re-
luctant clergymen. God bless you and
make you happyn' 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
welded bliss brings happ ness.
He returned to the study, gave the
wedding fec to his daughter, who bore
it off in triumph to her mother, and
then he refilled his pipe.
docs this sort Of thing happen
often?' said Mr. Leigh.
mot 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
William Dunbar"
Mr.. Leigh started from his chair.
dunbar he repeated. s"And inc
grip"
"Kate Perry Katherine, rather. "
Mr.. Leigh stared at him vacantly.
''My ward!' he cried, in sudden anger.
"And after all l told you! Why didn't
you call me in there?'
How was 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
vouchsafng another word to his host.
The parson showed him out, and
looked at him walking swiftly down
the moonlit street When he went to