The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-04-18
THE sPECTER WEDDING.
"A Curious But Arl-sumcient Coro-
rnony.

Mr. Martin Dupont was Justice 81
the peace IN the little town 81 Marl-
burg, He had been elected 10 Office
a. the close Of the war IL 1912, and Ind
acted In bis present capacity for nearly
nine years Men Of Mr.. Dnpont's type
were rery common Ia those days, and
even now one does not have 70 search
far TO fnd ono of these sclf-complaccnt,
pompous gentlemen, who delight In
winning admiration from their asso-
ciates, who always have III their
tongues end great many xtorios In
which they play the leading part, but
who are, nevertheless, very supcrsti-
tious, so+much SO, indeed, thnta glimpse
OK the moon over the left shoulder, or d
bowling dog, has power to make them
melancholy for d week.
Having failcd 10 secure for himself
as large a share 81 this worlds goods
MS he had wished, Mr.. Dupont was fully
resolved that his two children, Henry
md Margaret. should not lie lacking III
wealth. As for Ills son, Ne very wisely
concluded thut i good education, added
70 his natural abilities. would secure
tor him a place n the world; md nj
-.
ready Henry was showing tho wisdom
Of the plan. and by ms rapid advance
mcnt In business was more than full.
filing his fathers expectations II Ind
always been Mr.. Dupontss desire that
his daughter should marry some rich
man, but Margaret had fallen III love,
very foolisiily, according 10 her fathers
idea, with the principal Of the Mml-
burg high school.
Charles Foster had several times
pleaded his suit IN win before Mr..
Dupont There was no fault In the
young man, Mr.. y. rather grndgingiy
admitted. except that all he had to de-
pend upon was his salary, but still no
man should presume to become his SON
in-law who haI not money enough 10
support his daughter Ia litter style
than that in which she waA then living.
He liked tic sehool-tencicr very well
rs friefld, but Us n-in-law--that
was quite another matter.
Nevertheless Charles and Margaret
did not despair Of their cause, although
Mr.. Dupont WINS AecininRly immoynble.
Tho thought Of an clopcment was BAN
ished by them both as being dishonor-
able, and rs no other plan seemed
practicable they very wisely resolved
to wait until some kind fate should
come to their aid. This. then, was tho
condition Of affairs when our story be-
gins.
Mr.. Dupont's duties us justice Of the
peace did not conflne his law practice
TO Mariburg, but very frequently he
was called away TO attend various law
suits In ncighboring towns and ham
lets; and Il so happened that at this
particular time he was engaged In a
case of some considerable Importance
In an adjoining town. On account Of
the ncarness Of the place II was Mr.
Dupont's custom to drive hts own horse
back and forth and to spend his nights
at home.
One night, on account Of mn unusual
press Of business, he was Obliged to re-
main beyond his ordinary tune Of lcay-
ing, and after the work was completed
he yielded to the urgent invitation Of
his client 10 chat for few moments As
they pulled away at the choice Havanas.
they began to tell each other Of various
exciting adventures and wonderful ex-
periences. Time slipped away so rapid
" that 1t was after ten O'clock before
Mr.. Dupont suddenly remembered that
sevcn-mile drive lay between him and
his home. Hastily bidding his friend
good-by, he started for the hotel stable
to get his horse.
The weather had changed while the
two gentlemen had been chatting, and
now the ominous stiffness and the
cloudy sky admonished Mr.. Dupont
that, II he wished to get home before
the rain began to fall. he must hasten.
Hastily uirowing . quarter to the
sleepy hester, he sp-as into HIS bug-
gy and set ont "a his Il nae ward way.
The road home was Il lonely one;
houses we're fcsp and far beta ac.s ard a
few miles out Of Marlburg some lanely
woods lincd tile road on eitises side. and
adjoining tie woods was i graveyard.
As MIR Dupont drove on Into tic dark
ness he began "a. become nervous. the
weird storica that he had Just bAen
hearing kept 1ashing through his mind.
Il great many wrong deeds o. his life
came before him. magnified BY the
darkness and solitude. and among other
things he began to wonder II he was
doing just right in refusing HIS consent
TO his daughters marriage. In this
frame OF mind he approached the
woods; involuntarily he tried to quick.
en- his horses pace, but the dark