Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1889-08-23
Miscellamenms.
IN SIGHT OF THE ALTAR.

| was an unsophisticated young min
lister when | fell in love with Mabel
Chisholm. AS | boarded round the vii
lage and received most of my salary in
produce, you can imagine how poor my
prospects were Of getting married. There
was tacit understanding between US,
however, that when my ship did come
in we should become man and wife.
Old Parson Owen | knew was very
intimate at tho Chisholm's, but had no
idea or forcwarning of the torpedo no
was to spring at my feet lie one day
told me he was going to marry Mabel
Chisholm himself.
"But she is wearing my ring" l
protested.
"Ah she can take it off," he said
coolly. ''Shc will do what her father
says in tho matter And it turned out
just as he had predicted. Mabel had
been brought up to obey her father in
everything. and while knew sho loved
me dcvotedly she could not think of de-
flying parental authority SO We parted.
At first nearly died Of grief Thon
grew angry. | doubted her. ut is
because Owen is rich." said Gle
has bought her hand" | encouraged
this idea nurscd it thought that
it would conquer my tenderness. In
fact, it had something of that effect |
was wrcichcd, but in another way, and
| no longer went where | should meet
the Chisholms or Mr.. Owen. Summer
passed. Autumn came. Winter begun
to chill the streams and stilfen tho barc
branches The boys were hoping for
skating on the pond. And still did
not hear of MIR. Ovens wedding. At
last, with vague hope that Mabel had,
after all, refused obedience to sinful
command to marry without love il
u sin, Think could no longer re-
frain from going down to Champion on
some pretext. and found myself passing
the door Of Mr. Chisholm's church.
1t was Monday afternoon, but the
door was open. There was an air of
preparation about it, and the old janitor
stood at the door. fingered near, and
saw that preparations were made for
some ceremony, and the perfume Of flow
ers came to me faint and sweet. Peo-
pie were coming up the road and enter
ing at the gate | thought they looked
at me curiously as they passed.
The old janitor bowed to me solemnly.
l app cached.
Good day, Jackson" said. Good
day, Mr.. Bray" he answered in whis-
per. 81 expected you over, as an old
friend of Miss Mabel's. You'd better
go in Therc'll be crowd; the car
riages are at the Chisholm door now.
You can see them
yes" said abstractedly. eyes,
they will be here soon."
II was her wedding day, then. Well,
| could bear il. And would show her
that could. would prove myself free
of all memory Of the past by shaking
hands with both. What did care for
so heartless girl !? Nothing, nothing.
| walked up the aisle and sat where the
bride could see me as she passed but /
heard some one whisper:
GLOW pale he is. 1t is plain he feels
dreadfully," and feared the gossip
spoke of me. At the thought grew
hot and red, no doubt.
The church was packed full. but very
quiet. Two old clergymen whom l had
met at times occupied the platform. /
did not sec Mr.. Chisholm but of course
no would come with the bride-his
daughter How solemn they all wcrc.
sit is not at all like q wedding" said
to myself, mot even the music" which
now began to play, sadly and softly, |
knew not what. A little whisper reach
ed me:
"They are comingl They are here !"
"She was there, then. | should see
her again-see her in her wedding
dress. arose with the others, turned
with them and looked at the door.
Yes, there they were in the doorway.
[ saw Mr.. Chisholm's gray hair. saw
Mr.. Ovens lank figure. saw-no
there was no bride there. Brides wear
white, everything was black, black, black
And how slowly they came, their heads
bent low and what was this borne SO
feverently 10 at the door, and along the