New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-10-01
OUT OF STEP.
A MARRIAGE.

lin Ua WAS conscious of feeling great deal
80 cur;ositv Int he tried to conceal that emotion
The next room was not lighted; the one kero-
sene lamp was on the sink shelf in the kitchen.
NO. said Mr. Pope - have never met MI
Moore / hope he is doing we'll
"Oh yes ! expect so. was the answer; put
II I'd stuck to mustard plastcrs jest s I'd begun
"Rebecca." interrupted Mr. scudder, Il guess
mebbv faint no time for mustard plasters now.
Moh,,, vou,d better intcrdoocc Mr.. Moore; then
10 tho minister wants little talk he en- have II.
Take this lamp right in m I'll light another
Conscious of having her hest black dress on
for the occasion, Mrs. Scudder took the lamp ana
preceded the minister into the stting-room'
Salome had risen and was standing near the
chair where Moore sat
Mr. PONIES eyes first rested on her face She
smiled and answered his " Good evening. For some
reason Mr.. Pope found it difficult TO withdraw MS
glance Salome Gerry had always been more or
less of puzzle to him; he had never known
definitely whether he approved Of her or not
"Iet me make you acquainted with Mr. Moore,
AR Popc said Mrs Scudder in that exceedingly
nroper voice which some people use for intro
auctions 1t always made her feel of some I'M
portance to INTRODUCES two persons. She fastened
ont now as the two men shook hands. She went
for the "centre lamp" an article with large
rlobe and some pieces of glass dangling round
IT, This always stood the 4" centre table III
the middle of the parlor, which was at the other
side of the house.
Mrs Scudder was sure that this lamp ought to
be lighted when there was wedding IN the
house
I'm lookn' for Miss Nunally every minute
she said as she deposited the lamp on stand
1--WE want expectin' of Mr.. Pope so soon. If
Nelly was TO home Id send her out after Miss Nh
7 sho op't ba lopn"
Moore had shaken hands mechanically with the
minister He had responded to that gentlemans
remarks, but he did not conceal his Impotence
ave will not wait he said
"Wbnto' said Mrs ScuGdcr blankly. Her
mind Immediately went back to the time when
she did not use mustard on that young man as
she ought.
"We will not wait repeated Moore sharply
He turned toward Salome who had been standing
near He extended his hand. Come, ne SAID
Salome took a step and put her hand
in Moore's. which closed strongly over it.
Mrs Scudder ruffled like bewildered hen
But bnt,7 she began, you'll have to walt
ven know: she amt come, you know
Mr. Pope hardly knew what to say. HIS I'M
deriving Thought however, that man gen
erallv knew what woman he wanted for his
wife and that he should rather let the man
himself decide than any of the people who might
happen to be near. OF course the Scudders had
made mistake; that the extremely simple
explanation.
Moore put his disengaged hand on the arm of
his chair and stood upright. There was his old
manner discernible he turned his head toward
the minister
will YOU marry us" he asked directly"
Certainly" replied Mr.. Pope, stepping forward.
Mrs. Scudder rufied more and more She said
afterward that she felt if she jest about
crazy She actually stepped between the min
lister and the two who stood in front of him.
She amt come yet" she cried again.
"Rebecca,- said Mr. Scudder from the door
way where he had just appeared from the barn
Mrs Scudder drew back. Her husband told her
that il want none Of their business; and gen
rally speakin' Teller knew who he meant to
marry. He sposed they hadn't understood it.
He could not help adding under his breath that
ne didn't believe the devil himself understood it.
He advanced and seized his wife by the arm as
II TO keep her by force from interfering any
further and he held her tightly that she
writhed in his grasp. She tesought Dwight
in a loud whisper TO 90 out N SEQ if he couldn't
find Miss Nunally In reply, Dwight shook the
woman slightly He said he wasn't going ont.
Mr. Pope did not apparently notice this inter
view between husband and wife He silent
for moment standing before the man and woman.
Inere was no possible nl~ttKlnc llelf Jn"anlnc
Moore's attitude erect and imperious He was
holding Salome firmly by the hand. Size not
looking at him or at any one. She seemed to be
gazing into space. There was indefnable glory
In her eyes which even Dwight Scuddcr perceived.
Afterward he conided TO his daughter that some
how Salome Gerry's face that night made him
shivcr, and he didn't expect he should live long
enough TO forget it,
Even when Mr.. Pope began to speak, Mrs.
Scudder made final squrm in her husbands
hold and said in half voice that she didn't
think Miss Nunally d be moren minute ::
n they might Just as we'll wait
This time Mr. Scudder did not reply. His eyes
were fixed on Salome. He heard her say Yes ,
in the lowest possible voice, but in one that was
clearly audible.
Moores tone was too loud: he seemed in a
hurry The instant the very short ceremony was
over he sat down in the large chair from which he
had risen. He kept his hold of Saome's hand
as il he feared that some would try to de.
prive him Of it. lie did not in the least notice
Mr. Pope when that gentleman attempted some
words Of congratulation.
Seeing this, Mr.. Pope immediately desisted and
turned away, going back into the kitchen, fol-
lowed by Mr. and Mrs. Scuddcr.
The nurse who had also been witness of the
ceremony, joined the group in the kitchen.
A somewhat significant silence was upon these
people
Mr. Pope had directly taken up bis hat and
gone to the door, where he paused His face
showed perplexity and possibly misgving. At
last he sald looking at Mr.. Scudder
It's all right, suppose
Mr. Scudder shook himself with considerable
force before he replied in violent whisper:
"Of course it's all right. Why shouldn't it he ?
We Amt COIN to dictate to a man, be we?
don't s'pose it's any OF his business if we'd got
another woman into heads"
Dwight said his wife with severity, it
WAS another woman l amt fool. l jest do