Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-05-12

me?" he hissed into her ear,-"you, the
daughter of dirty oil merchant? BY
Heavens, I'll make you pay for this when
we get away?"
Hetty looked straight in the face of this
furious man, face hideous with rage. No
lady had ever seen such a look on his face
before. But he thought this girl was abso-
lutely in his power now. No one heard
what he said but himself; and it was all over
in an instant. Broadlands seized his arm
as he led him away; and the bride was
taken possession of by a stately looking
American (like Hetty's father, he, too,
had struck ile) who was to give her away
Bride and bridegroom met again at the
altar. Hetty looked quite cool, but her
gray eyes were very pale. Verriner, by a
tremendous histrionic effort. had recovered
himself, and wore his usual soft languor.-
The ceremony went on, and every body as
sumed the right expression. The BRIDE
groom was asked whether he would take
this woman, etc. He answered quietly,
but clearly 81 will" When, however, the
dignitary who oficiated turned to Hetty and
asked her the same question, an awfnl
thing happened. Quite coolly, without
apparent emotion, she replied: 81 will
not %
Her high pitched American voice pena-
trated right through the church, and every
body heard the appalling words. The whole
assemblage stood still as if petrifled, for a
moment; and then Mrs. Leigh broke the
silence by rushing to her daughter and
seizing her arm.
'Are you mad p she whispered.
'No," answered Hetty, quietly, but in
those fearfully audible high pitched tones,
r -, %,
who the moment he thinks he's got hold eff
me, talks to me as if were niger. He
called my papa a dirty oil merchant. No.
your title and the rest of it, and sell 'em to
a meeker sort than am. To know all the
best people don't make up for being bullied
athome. Itain't good enough. Besides,
when do marry 1 mean to marry gentle
man."
Every word of this speech was heard by
every body. Having finished it Hetty
courtesied to Verriner and then swept down
the central aisle, followed by her discomft
ed bridesmaids and her now weeping moth
or. People looked at her as she passed with
mingled feelings; wonder, admiration, hor-
rOr, awe.
"What trump of girl - said Broad
lands to himself. s1'd like to marry her,
declare l''
But mis- attention was distracted by Yer
riner who having cast an agonizing glance
around, saw the people were hiding their
faces in their prayer books, and handker-
chiefs, and that their shoulders shook. He
fed through the vestry; Broadlands follow
ed him. What murmur of talking and
laughter rose from that distinguished con-
gregation as it left the church and got into
the long string of carriages which waited 1
outside There was no wedding breakfast
but there were the most delightful after
noon teas that day, for every body who had
been present had to relate the story to in
Vulnerable friends. Verriner left town by
the first train to Dover and when he was
next heard of had been living for some time
in very distant and very warm country
He was among savages, and mis- ferocity had
earned him an enviable distinction in the
most elevated circles.
As for Hetty, she braved her mothers
tears and her friends reproaches without
dismay. She was quite convinced she had
done the right thing. And 50 were her
friends when, in the first SHOWS of winter,
they were hidden to grand country we'd
ding, which made the trump of a grip
the Marchioness of Broadlands.-London
World.