Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1894-11-23
A WEDDING EVE.

My principals were Messrs. Spencely &
Mason, the well known general providers
in the borough, and it was Mr.. Spencely s
own daughter, and the sweetest girl in the
world to boot, that was to marry on the
morrow. l was in the counting house
with Mr.. Mason, talking over some mat
ter of business, when a shopman came to
say l was wanted. l ran down stairs to
my special department. the drapery, to
find that lady was awaiting my coming.
She had, it turned out, made some large
purchases, to the extent of 1900, but hav-
ing forgotten her pocketbOok had request
ed that some one might go with her to re-
ceive payment. In keeping with our usual
course of business this task fell to me.
The lady's carriage was standing at the
door, footman and coachman both in a
quiet and becoming livery
felt rather shy, and, l fear, awkward
at first, but before our drive came to an
end l was satisfied with myself and
charmed with my companion. We drew
up before substantial looking house in
one of the smaller squares of the west
end. A grave looking major domo, or
butler, as l took him to be, opened the
door, and l was ushered into room, while
the lady and her butler conversed in a low
tone in the hall.
MIR. Stewart will see you in minute"
the lady at length said, pushing open the
door little farther and closing it as she
withdrew her head. Then I heard the
outer door close with a bang, the carriage
steps put up and the noise of wheels rapid
~ retiring. Mr.. Stewart was evidently in
no hurry, for ten minutes passed and still
no sign of his coming. 1 was anxious to
get back to business and began to feel an
noyed.
I had been walking the feeling off, but
at last, out Of all patience. l proceeded to
open the door. 1t was fast For mo-
ment / suspected trap, but it was for a
moment only. Mrs. Stewart, I reflected,
was thorough lady.
1 mechanically surveyed the apartment
The windows struck me as being an I'M
usual height from the floor. There were
no chairs, except cne-a library chair
near the massive table, but luxurious seats
extended along three sides Of the room. L
threw myself into the chair and tried to
push it back from the table, Both alike
refused to stir They were screwed fast to
the floor.
l now awoke from my dream to the
conviction that [ was a-well, not exactly
a Solomon, and that had been trapped.
I raincd blows upon the door with hands
and feet, toe, and after a short delay the
aforesaid butler appeared, accompanied by
two men, presumably fellow servants.
''Why am l kept waiting here?" dc.
Eaanded.
Don't get excited, my dear SIR
Tell Mr.. Stewart | can't wait any
longer, and that I must have my money. !"
''AI i'll good time, my dear sir, all in
good time. Don't get excited, beg Of
you. Excitement to nervous tempera-
ment is
Nervous temperament be hanged! Pay
me my money and let me out Of this. "
can in good time, all in good time. -
What was l to do? The man was smil-
ing, unctuous, imperturbahle, deaf to my
arguments, unmoved by my protestations.
ragged and stormed, called them all swim
dlers and threatened to have them indict-
ed. 1t was al! of no use. might as well
have stornled at the table and the solitary
chair.
Gradually 1 cooled down, as one who
needs must, and in hoarse voice begged
them to say what they intended doing
wiz q ard what IN the world it all
iiie"iit, iof - Hao S-=-=r daWned upon me
that they were not acting n l-rt INT 1yero
sincere according to their light
And then, to my horror learned that
the gentleman | had taken for butte
was Aloysius Fitzsimnons. NJ D., f. r.
c. P, the great specialist in obscure dis
eases of the nerves and brain and keeper
OF a private establishment devoted to
the care of the cerebrally afflicted as he
quoted from his own prospectus, which
had afterward the pleasure OF peruing.
confessed somewhat injudiciously that
haI ,<.I, hoo of I,af
but it only furnished him with fresh proof
of my insanity He wound up long mon
ologue by telling fle that Mrs. Hall was
to call Oh the moriaw to inquire how 1
was getting on.
And who may Mrs. Hall be?" asked
scarce knowing what 1 said, for everything
seemed topsy turvy now.
Poor man, poor man, a bad case!'
heard him say, sotto voce. He has even
forgotten his own name.'' Then aloud
The lady who accompanied you here,
your wife,
MY wife!' l ST outed.
"Quet, my dear sir. You forget your
promise"
Her name is Stewart managed to
say quietly, and SO far from her being
my wife, l am unmarried, and tomorrow
is my wedding day.
Eyes, know. Your good lady has told
us all about that, but perhaps by tomor-
row you will be better and think nothing
more of it,
''Would you mind telling me what this
woman has said about me?''
WHO? Mrs. Hall? Well, she told me
that MIR. Hall-that is your name, you
know. for it is SO given in the certificates
from two eminent medical men who OK
anined you-that Mr.. Hall was an ex-
emp!ary husband and father and good
citizen, butt
Go on. I can hear anything now"
but subject to decisions and to par
oxysms OF violence. l believe that, though
you are country gentleman, you some
times fancy you are in a large business
house, and that people are seeking to
swindie you; also that you are on the eve
of marriage. Is it not so:''
But tomorrow is my wedding day.
i'Ah, just what your good lady Said.
We will get you round, never fear
looked helpiessly at the doctor. My
brain was in whirl. Just what your
good lady said.'' How did that odious
schemer learn I was to be married on the
morrow? But inquiry as to that might
we'll stand over. Meanwhile what was I
70 do to get out Of this house and away
from this complacent quack, whom was
beginning to hate? Obviously I must
send for some one to identify me. Mr..
Spencely, | remembered, had u late en-
gagement in the city. Ella was manifest
ly out of the question. l could not obtrude
such a ridiculous thing upon heron her
wedding eve too. Between you and me,
reader, / think / felt somewhat chary of
letting her see ME in such plight The
same consideration made me fight shy Of
any of our fellows. 1t would be food for
jokes for months to come At last ! ha
it. I would write a brief note to Mr.. Ma
son, our junior principal. He would be
away from business by this time, but
messenger would soon go to Wimbledon,
where he lived, and return furnished with
evidence Of my identity, which would also
be conclusive a; to nay sanity. DR.. Fitz-
simmons smiled obviously as he took my
missive
Who is this fIr. Mason?" he asked.
1.-The junior partner i'll Spenccly & Ma
BON, where | am employed
IL 'm-yes, quite So"
He said nothing more, but heard him
dispatch tho messenger, and at last be-
gan to breathe freely. I Was left to my
self, and Us if i'll dream began to recall
one bT one the yariO1iS even rs of tl.ic tho