Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-06-03

VI We shaii oc itic, Hc suiu WIcu tney
had walked a little distance side by
side. The truth was that Florcnce's
pace had abatcd somewhat since she
had met her clandestine lover.
She was beginning family to realize.
perhaps for the first time, the full ex-
tent OF what she was about to do, and
her heart beat with sudden tumultu-
BUSINESS which was more allied to fear
than capture.
"My love-" the cnamorcd German
murmurod once or twice, $50 soon
in one little liaf-hour moro"
"Oh, hush. Curt, hush! If anyone
should heart Florence glanced appre-
hcnsivcy up the street and then half
way over her shoulder.
There was no one in sigh! Never
thclcss her lovers cbullitions were not
quite pleasant to her
Florence was feeling very strangely
all at once, and was distinctly nerv-
Gus.
Now. it so happened that Percy
Stockton had come to town earlier than
usual on this particular day, to pay his
respects to a lady, an old friend OF his
mothers.
The house was four or five doors re-
moved from small quiet church, and
as Percy passed the latter he noticed
casually that its side door was open.
A man aud woman were vanishing g
within the saihe. There was some
thing about the lady's figure and dress
and the poisc of the head, that struck
Mr. Stockton as culiously familiar.
He glanced back over his shoulder,
and caught lleeting but convincing
glimpse of Florence st. Ledger's side
face. At the same time he took in the
personality of the man.
If his lightning-likc recognition of
the latter had shaped itself into words,
they would have been somewhat Of
this descriptions:
That cursed piano-playing fop. by
all that's goodr'
Mr.. Percy Stockton hesitated one
moment. and only one. He was aman
whose mind had long since been train
ed to work quickly.
The open church on this unusual
day-those two going into it together
| -Florcncc's suspicious and strange
| conduct of late-onc or two incidents
| connected with this German music
teacher of hers which now shaped them
selves in Percy's brain into evidences
of more than common interest in him
displayed by her-all these thoughts
and facts, though not consciously ap-
preciated singly and individually, in
that one moment fused themselves into
one swift strong conviction.
He retraced his steps and softly en-
tered the church.
| The light in the interior was dim.
| Percy slipped into back seat, be-
| hind pillar, and under the shadow of
the organ-loft, and waited.
He could not believe even yet that a
marriage was about to take place.
But his doubts quickly vanished.
A man and woman-witncsses evi-
IDENTITY emerged from the dim rccesses
and the prospective bridegroom
who had hustled to the vestry-
door, held some confabulation there
and hustled back.
Florence, meanwhile, had sunk into
a seat near the chancel. There was
more light where she sat, broad SUBJ
dued bar coming in through high
stained-glass window, and Percy could
see that her face had lost all its fresh
color and wore very strange express
ion; not by any means a look of ex.
pectant happiness, but rather of start.
led dismay, of shrinking and fear
The clergyman came out of the vcs-
try in his robes. The tall, fair Ger
man approached the bride and held out
his hand. The witnesses stood up.
But the bride did not stand up; and in
stead OF taking the groom's hand, she
shrank away with a sudden recoil.
Stockton saw the man bend down as
though with words of entreaty and en-
couragement. The girl only drew her
self farther back into the pew.
Then the groom laid his hand forci-
bly, on her arm and attempted to raise
her to her feet.
Florence st. Ledger's nerves gave
| way.
With one sharp. low cry she pulled
herself free; and running by tho groom
and the witnesses. rushed. like one
possessed, down the aisle.
Stockton, at her cry and swift action,
had risen mechanically to his feet. He
had known from the first that he would
prevent this rash and insane step be-
fore it could be consummated.
But when he realized that the girl
had turned from it in q revulsion of
feeling herself, it was his next impulse
to throw himself into the shade again
before she could detect him.
But his action was not rapid enough.
As she reached the door she saw his
face.
His presence there. the fact rushing
over her that he had been a winess Of
what she had contemplated doing,
were too much for the poor girl. She
staggered and leaned against the wall.
Stockton was at her side in an in.
slant. The German as soon as he.
The clergyman and witnesses had not
yet stirred from their places. Aston
ishment had petrified them.
"Allow me to see you home, Miss
ST. Ledger" said Stockton, drawing
her arm within his and speaking with
calm authority.
"Sir!' said the German, 'you speak
to my promised bride. do not under
stand this conduct. Florence, come!
What is this childish folly, prayp" He
stretched his hands towards her.
"Oh, don't-don't let him make me
marry him!' cried the girl incoherent-
ly, clinging to Stockton. II can't
no, no! please take me home; oh, !
have made such a mistake!"
The German was growing very
white.
'Am l to understand that you have
made me dupe-" he began with q
trembling voice.
at is all mistake and misunder-
standing" interposed Stockton; "a
very regretable one, certainly. Miss