The Newtown bee., 1891-11-06

sergeant getting married 30 ticklad some
of the younger members OF the cangrega-
ton that semi-hysterical giggles were
heard at intervals, I am sorry to say,
down to the opening of the communion
service.
1t was, indeed, sufficiently curious that
a man long past 20 should be able to per-
suade some one to marry him and / took
an early opportunity of visiting old Dan
for the purpose of eliciting some further
particulars. To my surprise, however, I
found that the sergeant was in no way
disposed to be communicative. He dis
regarded my hints in a manner which /
could not mistake, so | retired, feeling a
little ashamed of my curiosity.
1t was only natural that the septuage-
marian bridegroom should wish the day
and hour kept secret, so [ was not sur
prised that was asked to perform the
ceremony ON the Monday following the
third publication of banns at a very ear
ly hour.
Strange and ghostly the church seemed
on that dark Winter morning. Two-thirds
of the building were hidden in the deep
est gloom; the remainder was family il
Tuned by two or three candles which
Hopkins, the clerk, had placed here and
there. put on my surplice, took my
book, and placed myself within the COM
munion rails. Dan was there. ready,
waiting, standing, by the help of his
stick, nearly as upright as if on parade.
The hour had just struck, when three
figures advanced out of the darkness,
man and two women. The man | thought
| had seen before. He was the person
who had brought me notice of the banns.
One of the two women was stout, COM
Portable looking person, well dressed for
her station in life, which was evidently
that of an upper servant. She seemed
to me to be making a sacrifice in marry
ing old Dan. Her companion wore a
veil so thick that | could not see her fea-
lures, but | observed that she was very
young and that she carried herself like a
lady. Suddenly she threw back her veil,
revealing face of quite extraordinary
beauty. Even in that dimly-lit chancel
| could not help seeing that the girl was
lady and one whose loneliness would
win her homage wherever she went.
Saying to myself that it was good
natured thing for this delcately nurtur-
ed girl to come out before light on a
Winters morning to be present at the
marriage of an old servant, | rose and
beckoned to the bride and bridegroom to
take their places before the altar rails.
What was my astonishment when the
young, highly bred and beautiful girl
calmly took her place at the sergeant's
left hand.
care you the bride?" | asked, when
my astonishment suffered me to speak.
eyes," she answered, with look in
which suffering and resolution were
strangely mingled.
''This cannot be-" said, shutting up
my prayer book.
81 beg you to go on she said, with a
look of anxiety in her eyes.
"Do you really mean it?''
81 do,'' she replied.
ave do replied the young man from
behind.
"Come into the vestry and L will try
to persuade you to give up this foolish
idea," l said, leaving the chancel as |
spoke. 'Now,''I said, turning to the
bride, when she and her friends were as
sembled in the vestry, II do not inquire
into the motives which have prompted
you to entertain this preposterous notion.
| ask no questions, | pry into no secrets ;
but you must know that if the ceremony
is performed, you will become this mans
wife. No power on earth can break the
tie. Are you doing this thing of your
own free willY'
eyes, | am"
"You are not acting under the infiu-
ence or compulsion of any third persona
"No.''
"Have you told your friends what you
are about to do?"
81 have none; none-at least, except
these two;'' and she pointed to the two
persons at her side.
"What relation are you to this Lady,"
l asked the young man sharply.
'sNone whatever. | have the privilege
of calling myself her friend. but nothing
MORE" he replied.
"Then you count for nothing" | re-
turned. "But have made up my mind !;
/ shall take no part in sacrificing this
young lady, with her will or against it,
to an illiterate, poverty stricken old man.
I will not do it,
The girl, to my amazement, clasped
her hands with every token of despair;
and the young man, who had hitherto
stood in the background, stepped for
ward. Very courteously, but, at the
same time, very clearly and firmly, he
pointed out to me that clergyman had
no right to refuse to marry parishioner,
after the banns had been duly published,
unless some legal impeachment existed, of
which there was no hint in the present
case.
illegal impediments there may be
none," retorted, "but there is such
thing as moral impeachment. Every in
stinct of ones nature revolts against such
an outrage"
s'The law only regards certain we'll de-
fined circumstances as impediments,"
calmly rejoined the stranger. "Here
there are none.o
The law, knew, was on his side, but
thought would temporize.
81 do not absolutely refuse to perform
the ceremony" said, "only must have
time to communicate with the young la
dv1s friends -