Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1885-06-19

Z y,
THE BRIDAL PARTY,
The day was bright and merry, but Matt
never thought of the old proverb, 'sMerry is
the bride that the sun shines on" she was too
busy examining the prospect on every side of
her. All at once, as the bridal procession
wound round the edge Of the lonely lake, she
uttered a cry Of delight. There, standing in
its old place by the lakeside, was the caravan
Monk looked pale-there was something
ghostly in the temperance even Of this in.
animate object. He was a man of strong
nerve, however, and he speedily smiled at his
own fears.
AS they approached the spot they saw Tim
standing near the vehicle in conversation
with two strange gentlemen-one a little man
in black broadcloth, the other a tall, broad
shouldered fellow wearing light overcoat
and wideawake hat. Directly the process
sion approached this group separated, and its
three members walked severally to the road,
he with the wideawake hat standing right in
the centre of the road quietly smoking
cigar.
As the dogcartcame up he held up his hand
Unable to proceed without running him down,
Monk pulled up angrily.
'What is its Why do you block the road"
he cried, iercely.
"Excuse me, governor, returned the other,
eoolly. 'Mr Monk, Of Mankshurst, be-
ieve."'
'That's my name" -..
''Sorry to trouble you on such day, but
should like a few words with you"
81 cannot stay-I am going to be married."
$50 heard" said the man, lifting his hat
and bowling with grin to Matt. ''Glad to
see you, Miss. How do you dos But the fact
is, Mr.. Monk, my business won't keep. Be
good enough to step this way"
Full Of some unaccountable foreboding, in
spired partly by the strangers suave, yet
determined, manner, partly by the 'reappear-
ance of the caravan, Monk alighted, and
followed the other across the grass to the
close vicinity Of the house on wheels. The
little elderly man followed, and the man who
had first spoken went through the ceremony
Of introduction.
''This is Mr.. Monk, sir. Mr.. Monk, this
gentleman is Mr. Lightwood, of the firm of
Lightwood & Lightwood, solicitors, Chester"
"And you-who the devil are you?' de-
manded Monk. with his old savagery.
'My name is Marshall, Christian name
John, though my friends call me Jack, an
swered the other with airy impudence. "John
Marshall, governor, Of the detective force"
Monk now went pale indeed. But recover
ing himself, he cried, Il know neither of you.
warned you that was in haste. What do
you want? Out with It'll"
The little man now took up the converse
ton, speaking in prim, business-hke voice,
and occasionally referring to a large note
book which he carried.
'Mr Monk, you are, I am informed, the
sole male heir of the late Colonel Monk, your
cousin BY the fathers side, who was supposed
to have died in India in the year 1862"
eyes, that's true What then?'
"On the report of his death, his name being
included in an official list of officers killed and
wounded in action, and it being understood
that he died without lawful issue, you laid
claim to the demesne Of Monkshurst, in
Cheshire, and that of the same name in Angle
sea. Your claim was recognized, and in 1865
you took possession"
"Wel. Have you detained me to hear only
what I already knew?'
''Pardon me, have not finished. I have
now to inform you that you inherited under
misconception-frs because Colonel Monk
was married and had issue; secondly, because
he did not die in India, but reached the shores
Of England, where he persisted in the ship
wreck Of the vessel Trinidad on Christmas
day, 1854"
Monk was ivid. At this moment Jones,
who had been watching the scene from
distance, came over, painting and perspiring
in li-concealed terror.
''Lor', Mr.. Monk, what's the matter? Look
ye now, we shall be late for the wedding"
AS he spoke, Marshall, the detective, clap
ped him playfully on the shoulder.
Elbow dye do William Jones? l have
often heard of you, and wished to know you.
Pray stop where you are. I'll talk to you
presently"
ct don't know what you mean," Monk now
said, with logged desperation, with all this
rigmarole Mr.. Lightwood, OF whatever your
name is. 1t seems to me you are simply raw
ing. If I am not my cousins heir, who is;
tell me that?"
ellis daughter" said the man, quietly.
''He never married, and he never had a
daughter"
ellis daughter, an infant twelve or four
teen months old, sailed to England with him,
was shipwrecked with him, but saved by a
special Providence, and has since been living
in this place under the name of Matt Jones'
'tYour intended bride, you know" added
Marshall, with an insinuating smile. ''Hullo,
where is the young lady?"
Monk looked round toward the dog-cart
and on every side, but Matt was nowhere to
be seen.
81 see her go into that theer cart" said
William Jones.
''Call her." cried Monk. 'Tl stay no
longer here. Listen to me, you two. Whether
you are telling truth or lies, that girl is 60
ing to become my wife-I have her guardians
consent, and she herself, I may tell you, fully
appreciates the honor am doing her,"
"Indeedr' said Mr.. Lightwood, smiling
UNFORTUNATELY I, as Miss Monks legal adj
wiser, must have say in the matter. Doubt
less this marriage would be very pretty ar
rangement for keeping the late Colonel
Monks fortune and property in your pos
session, but I cannot conscientiously ap-
prove of the young lady's marriage to an
assassin"
can Observation-Disclosures do you mean?s
gasped Monk, staggering as if from blow.
''Tell him, Mr.. Marshall"
'All right, sir Well, you see, Mr.. Monk,
of Monkshurst," continued the detective,
grinlly, yet playfully, you're accused OF
making away numbering, in facts
young gentleman who came to Aberglm a
few weeks ago in that little house on wheels;
and this nice friend Of yours here he again
slapped William Jones on the shoulder is &C
cused of being your accomplish"
mo, no. l never done it! I'm inno-
cent, I amp cried William Jones. s'Ten
EN-, MI Monk, tell 'em-rd nowt to do
with It,"
"Sience, you foo" said the other; then he
added, turning on his accusers, ''You are
couple of madmen, Think know nothing
OF the young man you speak of! have heard
that he is missing. that is all; but there is no