Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1885-05-28

jections to him." said DIR. Melton. slow
ly. Does he drink. or keep low com
pany?"
NO" answered Mr.. Leigh; ..but-'
Z" beg your PARDON said the doc
) tor, interrupting him, .'but | want I,
: speak in his behalf. He must be indus
J triOus. and no fool, and prospecting, O
he would not have jumped into thi
, new position. i confess l don't thinl
you have made out a clear case. O
course you want to see your son happy
but if she does not love your son, thai
ends the matter. And if she doe, low,
this other man, and he is honest anc
upright, why should he not have her??'
He is not her equal" said Mr.
Leigh. lyon know in Philadelphia
The parson rose up with stihed ex
clamatiOn that. coming from lay
mans lips, might have sounded pro
fame.
''lt is warm in here" he said. 81
want little fresh air; l am not used &c
a furnace-heated house. Poor girl
The city has not yet claimed me for its
own, and l miss the fireplace in nv
old study. Poor fellowr'
He threw up the window, and looked
out on a wild expanse of tiny high.
fenced back yards: but overhead was
the clear sea of sky, where the moon
rode at anchor amid the fleet Of stars.
lie stood there, drawing in the crisp
December air. until tap sounded on
the door. Come in,n he cried, and
one of his daughters entered-a tall.
slim girl with her father blue eyes,
Papa" she said, pressing close to
him, and smiling mysteriously, There
are some people in the parlor.''
'Drawingroom, my dear" said the
doctor. I'VE are in Philadelphia
I'VE are not, but no matter" she
returned. Il tell YOU there are some
people in the parlor. and think it is
our first town wedding. She is very
pretty. and she has on the loveliest lit
tie bonnet you ever saw. Go marry 'em
quick. and let me be witness, only
they have two witnesses with them"
He passed his arm abou: her and
kissed her. she did not know why: then
led her to his guest.
'.Mollie, this is claSsmate of mine
My daughter. Mr. Leiyh-Mr. Harvey
Leigh, OF PHILADELPHIA. You must eX-
cuse me for few minutes.
He went into the adjoining parlor.
Yes. it was a wedd ng party. no doubt,
but the would-be bride and groom did
no look like the brides and groomS
that seek out a parSOn in such a fashion.
The man was gentleman, with fine
face and d;gnitied bearing. The girl
WAS pretty, but more than that, she hal
an air of courage. of self-reliance: she
was not a 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. '.And this" he added. turn
ing to the young lady, sis Miss Kate
Perry. We are both of age-in fact |
am thirty-three-and nope you will be
good enough to marry us.
Mr.. Dunbar was very much in earn
es. but he smiled little. .'Our mar
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
Il faint flush stole into her checks.
Where is your homer he asked.
Il have none she answered. Il
have ne ther father nor mother. have
been living in Philadelphia with my
guardian. The words were spoken
softly. but her eyes flashed. II am
free to do as | please" she went Oh.
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.
% am, WAS the curt response.
Your name sounds familiar" said
the parson. Gould | have seen it the
other DAY in a list of pas iengers for
Europe?"
He scanned the faces before him. The
mans jaws clicked: the girls flush
deepened into crimson.
I'VE are free TO marry" said Mr..
Dunbar There is no reason why we
should not be man and wife. II YOU
won't perform the ceremony, shall find
some one who is wiling We have with
lis my uncle and aunt; there is no use
in wasting words. Viii you marry u.s."
Yes. said the parson. Then he
asked few formal questions, and mar
red ti:em nc ording to the ritual of the
Dutch Church. He begged them to be
seated for a minute. while he filled ont
the certificate. This made it necessary
for him to return TO the study.
- runaway country coupled" said
Mr.. Leigh.
- can t swear to the country part"
the parSon answered. as he drew a GER
tiiicate out of his desk
- wonder You are willing to perform
the ceremony" Mr.. Leigh remarked.
" should think it was a 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-
ally a satisfaction to one to know that |
the knot is tied. In this case, how
ever. am quite sure am do ng right.
Do You believe in piysiognomy?"
. 10 certain extent, yes"
Well, so do |, and / am confident |
that have just married sweet girl to
a man who is worthy of her." |
He went back to the parlor with the
certiic ite. taking pen and ink, So that !
the witnesses might On their names.
NJ. Dunbar shook him by the hand.
leaving Il note in his palm. The bride
smiled shyly upon him. and the elderly
woman bowed: but the elderly man,
VINO SO far had not spoken a word.
said. suddenly: Il will tell you, sir.
that YOU will never regret having