The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1892-02-17
A MYSTERIOUS WEDDING.

A MYSIERlUUS WEUDlNG.
No one ever thought that May For
ster would marry John Charrington,
but he thought differently, and things
which John Charrington intended had
a queer way of coming to pass. He
asked her to marry him before he went
up to Oxford, she laughed and refused
him. He asked her again the next
time he came home. Again she laugh
ed, tossed her dainty blonde head, and
again refused. A third time he asked
her; she said it was becoming a con-
firmed bad habit, and laughed at him
more than ever, but said yes.
We were all asked to the wedding.
In Brixham every one who was any
body knew everybody else who was
any one. The coming marriage was
much canvassed at afternoon tea ta-
bles and at our little club over the sad
dler's, and the question was always
asked: "Does she care for him?"
I used to ask that question myself in
the early days of their engagement,
but after a certain evening in August
never asked it again. was coming
home from the club through the
churchvard. Our church is on a
thyme-grown hill, and the turf about
it is so thick and soft that ones foot
steps are noiseless.
made no sound as / vaulted the
low, lichened wall. and threaded my
way between the tombstones. 1t was
at the same instant that 1 heard John
Charrington's voice, and saw her face.
Hot nPf-o
stone, with the full splendor of the
Western sun upon the mignonne face.
Its expression ended, at once and for
ever. any question of her love for him.
1t was transtigured to beauty should
not have believed possible even to that
beautiful little face.
John lay at her feet, and it was his
voice that broke the stiffness of the
golden August evening.
'.My dear, my dear, / believe that l
should come back from the dead if you
wanted me-"
l coughed at once to indicate my
presence, and passed on into the
shadow fully enlightened.
The wedding was to be early in Sep
tember. Two days before had to run
up to town on business. The train was
late, of course, for we are on the South
eastern, and as | stood grumbling with
my watch in my hand, whom should l
see but John Charrington and MAY
Forster They were walking up and
down the unfrequented end of the plat
form. arm in arm, looking into each
others eyes, careless of the sympa-
thetic interest of the porter.
Of course l knew better than to hesi-
tate moment before burying myself
in the booking Office, and it was not
till the train drew up at the platform
that I obtrusively passed the pair with
my Gladstone and took the corner in
frst-class smoking carriage. did
this with as good an air of not seeing
them as l could assume. | pride N.Y.
myself on my discretion, but if ohm
were travelling alone l wanted his COM
pany. had it.
"Hullo old man. came his CHEEKY
voice as he swung his baggage into my
carriage, there's luck; l was expect
ing dull Journey"
''Where are you off to?" I asked,
discretion still bidding me turn my
eyes away. though saw, without look
ing. that hers were red-rimmed.
ITO old Branbridge's," he answer
ed, shutting the door and leaning ou
for last word with his sweetheart.
"Oh, wish you wouldn't go, John,
she was saying in low, earnest voice
Il feel certain something will hap
pen"
II must, May. The old boys beer
awfully good to me, and now he's dy
ing l must go and see him, but shall
come in time for the rest of the
parting was lost in a whisper and il
the rafting lureh of the starting. train
II shall be surely back tomorrow,
he said, "or, if not, the day after, il
heaps of time"
"And suppose Mr.. Branbrid ge dies?
"Alive or dead l mean to be mar
ried on Thursday" John answered
lighting cigar, and unfolding tn
Times.
At Peasmarsh Station we said ''good
bye" and he got out. and l saw hin
ride off; [ went on to London, where
stayed the night.
When l got home the next after
noon, a very wet one, by the way-m,
sister greeted me with:
where's Charrington?"
Goodness knows" l answered, tes
tily. Every man since Cain has re
sented that kind of question.
81 thought you might have hear
from him." she went on, ''as you're t
give him away tomorrow
isn't he back?" 1 asked. for I ha
confidently expected to find him a
home.
No, Godfrey sister alway
had a way of jumping to conclusions
especially such conclusions as wer
least favorable to her fellow creature
-''he has not returned, and, what
more, you may depend upon it b
won't. You mark my words, there
be no wedding tom orrow."
I was at the station at 2:50. | fel
rather annoyed with John. 1t SCENE
a sort of slight to the beautiful gi
who loved him, that he should come
as it were, out of breath, and with th
the dust of travel upon him to take he
hand, which some of US would haV
given the best years of our lives
take.
But when the o'clock train glide
in and glided out again, having brougI
no passengers to our little station,
was more than annoyed. There wa
no OCneF Train IOF LnlrLy-uVo minutes
Five minutes later l threw myself il
to the carriage that I had brought fc
John.
. Drive to the church!' I said, &
some one shut the door; Mr. Charring
ton hasn't come by this train"
Anxiety now replaced anger.
1t was five minutes to as we DIRE
up at the church-yard gate. A doub
row of eager on-lookers lined the pa
from lychgate to porch. l sprar
from the carriage and passed up b
4 tween them. Our gardener had a goo
front place near the door. l stoppe
Are they waiting still, BylesP"
asked, simply to gain time, for,
course, 1 knew they were by the wal
ing crowds attentive attitude.
Awaiting, sir? No, no, sir; why