The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-01-03

is worth more.
"You won't see anybody to-day wortl
more than | am, guess, for could bu.
up, soul and body, every young man ii
this party"
Ada's eyes flashed, and she seemed upoI
the point ofretorting; she, however, checked
herself, and the rest of the ride was achieved
in total silence The sleighing party ar
rived at their destination in good time par
took of an excellent supper, and after ont
dance, in which Ada was Harcourt's part
ner, Mr.. Spencer came to Ada for her de
cision.
"Let me see my fathers written consent
first, said she.
He handed her the paper, which she
read and returned to him, saying
II have no objection to make to it.
sThen, if you have no objection, why
slap on your hood and cloak, and meet me
at the front door, where l will have the
sleigh waiting. We will ride over the line
and get married right off, and be back be-
fore they miss us. !"
sBut we ought to have witnesses to our
marriage, ought we not; or will the justice :
certificate be enough
'sWhat head for business Yes, ask
! Fanny and-well, Harcourt to come with
her; ask Harcourt and Fanny to come with
us for witnesses; or stop-you ask Fanny;
| will ask him.
Ten minutes afterward and two sleighs,
each containing a lady and gentleman, rapid
| ly traversed the road which crossed the
State line and stopped at the tavern door
about mile from the house they had left.
Spencer and Harcourt assisted the ladies
into the house and Harcourt went in search
of the justice, taking with him Mr.. Gray S
certificate of his consent to the marriage,
at Mr.. Spencer's suggestion, lest any OBJ
lection should be raised by that functionary.
''The worthy squire was soon on the
spot, and married Mr.. Thomas Spencer to
Miss GRAY before the ladies had removed
their hoods and wells. Mr.. Harcourt and
the remaining Miss Gray signed the certif-
cate as witnesses, and then, much to Mr..
Spencer's surprise, Mr.. Harcourt requested
the justice to perform the same service for
himself and lady. He did so, and Mr.. and
Mrs. Spencer signed the certificate as wit
nesses for Mr.. and Mrs. Harcourt.
When the two couple returned to the
hall they perceived they had scarcely been
missed by their gay companions, so they
Joined them in their dance, which was
kept up with spirit until quite late hour,
but Mr.. Spencer was much annoyed by
Ada's dancing frequently with Harcourt
and pleading fatigue as an excuse for al
ways refusing him, and he was not partic-
ularly pleased with being obliged to pay SO
much attention to Fanny as etiquette re-
quired under the existing circumstances.
The dance at last broke up, the sleighs
came to the door, the bills were paid, the
gentlemen helped their partners into the
sleighs, and they soon reached their homes.
fsSister Mary, let me introduce you to
my wife" said Mr. Thomas Spencer, as he
ushered lady, closely hooded and veiied,
into Mrs. Mary Spencer's parlor. He left
her there for his sister to make her feel at
home, while he went to take his horse to
the stable.
When he returned he found his brother,
sister-in-law and niece chatting merrily
with lady, unhooded and unveiled, with
the face of-Fanny.
Fanny" said he, 81 am glad to see you
here; but where is Ada p
"Ada? with her husband, l suppose,
replied Fanny; how should know ?"
"Where is Mrs. Thomas Spencer,
Madam ?' vociferated the recent Benedick.
"Here, my dear" replied Fanny, cour-
tesying, at the same time handing him the
certificate of the marriage of Mr. Thomas
Spencer to Miss Fanny Gray, with the
names of Charles Harcourt and Ada Gray
as witnesses.
While this interesting scene was trans
piring at Mr.. Spencers, Mr. Harcourt had
driven to Mr. Gray's. Mr. Gray was i'm
patiently awaiting the return of his daugh-
ters in order to learn Mr.. Spencer success
in his wooing. He was not surprised
when Harcourt appeared at the door, for
he supposed Fanny was his companion.
"Has Spencer married my daughter,
Harcourt ?" was his eager inquiry.
eyes, and | have married your other
daughter; will you receive us, or will you
disown us? can give her comfortable
home, even if you discard us entirely"
"What the
Blank was the good man IS state of mind
at the announcement, and blank had better
remain the space we might otherwise occupy
with his exclamations.
"Come, father, forgive us, and let me
come in, said Ada's silyery voice from the
sleigh. Spencer concluded to take Fanny,
after all, and now we are married it can't
be helped, you know; here is our certificate,
witnessed by Spencer and Fanny"
"Well, children, come in, at length
gasped the old man. "Perhaps it is best
as it is, after all anyway, we'll make the
best of it. Come in J.