Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1886-03-25

knew himself 10 be superb creature,
and he was pleased with Dame For
tune for showing her appreciation of
the fact
The morning came, and when Yer
riner rose he felt nervous for the first
time in his life. There certainly is
something very trying about we'd
ding morning, even, to the most hsr-
dened. He ate no breakfast, but be-
gan at champagne before he dressed,
and went on with it during the pro-
cess. His best man, the young Mar
ouis of Broadlsnds, came in to look af-
ter him. He found Verrine. tremb-
ling; he had never done this on the
morning of q duel, or after night
over the cards, or the moment before
race was run on which his all was
staked.
nWhat's the matter, Verriner2"
inquired the young Marquis, in much
amazement.
Suppose the Prince shouldn't come?
oh, nonsense; he always keeps his
word. Make haste, or we shall be late
at the church.
Verriner drank another glass of
champagne, and they started.
The church was already beginning
to fill as church only does fill on such
occasions as this, with the cream of
the upper ten thousand. Verriner
was pleased, for in bis heart this ap-
parent cynjc was as vain as school
girl, Soon after he arrived the prince
came; and at last everyone was there
except the bride.
The wedding dress did not come
home till the very last minute; and
then 1t was found that the white silk
lace with which the lovely little flow-
er adorned bodice was fastened had
been left out in the hurry. Hetty's
maid went off in hanson to the mil
liners; and at last all was right and
the prettiest and brightest-eyed
bride of the year was ready. And
quite cool, too, though she was so late
For Hetty was a girl who never got
fevered or furried. She took life very
easily, spite of ber vivacity of manner.
She resmbled in some respects the lit
tie heroine of the 'Mikado,' who says:
sWe're very wide awake, the moon and
IT,
| Certainly she was late, and it was
very shocking, considering what an
august throng awaited her; but it
could not be helped, and she thought
Verriuer valued her greenbacks suf-
ficiently to bear the trial in patience.
/ But by the time the bride and her
mother reached the church Verriner
had lost his head. He read the thing
simply as an insult put upon himself,
and that before the only audience in
the world he cared straw for. He
began to feel like horse with the bit
between his teeth when sharp spurs are
struck in by an ignorant rider. Broad
lands, who knew his temper, looked at
his face and wondered what he would
do. They were waiting IN ambush in
the vestry. AT last there was faint
murmur; the bride had arrived. Yer
|riner hurried around and reached the
church door just in time to meet her
as she stepped into the porch.
How dare you put such an insult
upon me2' he hissed into her ear
you, the daughter of dirty oil mer-
chantl BY God I'll make you pay for
this when we get away!'
Hetty looked stright into 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 absolutely in his
power now. No one heard what he
said but herself; and it was all over
in an instant. Broadlands seized his
arms and led him away; and the bride
was taken possession of by 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;
Verrlner, by tremendous histrionic
effort, had recovered himself, and wore
his usual soft languor. The ceremony
went on, and everybody assumed the
right. expression. The bridegroom
was asked whether he would take this
woman, ETC.; he answered quietly but
clearly, i will When, however, the
dlgnitary who oficiated turned to
Hetty and asked her the same ques-
ton, an awful thing happened. Quite
cody, without apparent emotion, she
replied, i will notl'
Her high pitched American voice
penetrated right through the church,
and everybody heard the appalling
words. The whole assemblage stood
still as it petrifed, for a moment, and
then Mrs. Leigh broke the silence by
rushing to her daughter and seizing
her arm.
Are you mad7 she replied.
NO. answered Hetty, quietly, but
in those fearfully audible and high
pitched tone: 'Im sane. amt GO.
ing to marry man who, the moment
he thinks he's got me talks to me like
a nigger. lie called my papa dirty
oil merchant No, thank you, sir,