Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-12-13
II FORGIVE YOU"

They sat IN q pew quite near the door,
Mr.. and Mrs. Grey and their daughter, a
delicate looking girl of about 20. Some
times there used to sit with them young
fellow, who found the girls place and
shared his hymnbook with her. Once,
during a lengthy sermon, SAW him hold
ing her hand.
Unfortunately, Mrs Grey saw him, too
and frowned her disapproval. noticed no
didn't sit there again. Instead, an elderly
gentleman occupied his seat and endeav-
ored to find her place, when she would let
him, but she rarely did.
One Sunday she wasn't there, nor he
either, and for the first time the banns
were read out between Olive Grey and
Christopher Thornton.
One morning, after the third time of
asking, l, as sexton, had orders to open
and prepare the church for their marriage
L couldn't help being sorry for the bride,
the church looked so dreary and dopress-
ing. If the banns had not been published
/ should have thought it looked suspicious
ly like runaway, but that couldn't be.
l had hardly sat moment when the
door was flung open, and the young fellow
"There is no hurry, sir, plenty of time,
they haven't come yet"
"Thank heavenn he calculated when
he could speak my man, will you help
me and earn 500 at the same timer"
Then he told me what it was, his face
white and anxious, his hands trembling,
and l agreed. Perhaps ! shouldn't have
done so, but was young myself then, and
i could begin furnishing on my own ac-
count.
proceeded to put everything in its
place again. Then 1 went out into the
church, locking the vestry door after me.
In the chancel | hurriedly put tho has
socks into neighboring pow, the books
with them and oxtinguished the lights
Half an hour-three quarters went by,
before boy came to tell me was wanted
at the church.
But didn't hurry, having my promise
to that young man in view. The vicar was
waiting outside the vestry surrounded by
the shivering bridal party. Mrs Grey was
in towering passion when l arrived
GLOW is this, Swift" asked the vicar.
"a marriage for II 80 o'clock, and the
church not ready? Now it is after Il"
he went on, pulling out his watch.
Unlocking the door, l stood back to let
the party enter.
"I'm very sorry, sir" 1 said to the
vicar as he passed. 81 will explain after
ward if l may"
He said no more, and 1 proceeded to get
everything slowly ready again keeping
my eye on the clock.
1t was nearly 1890 O'Clock when, I'M
able to detain tRom any longer, we walked
up the misty aisle into the dimly lighted
.chancel.
We drew up in order before the altar
rails, and the vicar said to me-
"What is the matter with you. Are you
Ill? Where are the booksP"
got them, and the service began.
The bottom end of the church could not
be seen for the fog yet. kept my eyes
fixed on where l knew the door to be and
listened with all my ears.
Presently l heard it open; so did she,
and she looked over her shoulder, fear,
hope, doubt, then hope again mingled
with blessed relief being written all over
her pale face as the footsteps she knew so
well came quietly but swiftly up the aisle.
We had just reached that part where the
bridegroom says II will, when the old
man said, 81 will" almost before the
words were well out of the wears mouth.
Then he turned to the bride with the
same question, and she said:
81 won'tp'
There was a dreadful pause during
which the vicar shut his book, and Mrs
Grey sank Gown in weeping Mysteries. The
bridegroom put up his eyeglass and stared
aghast at the girls white face.
Mother father, dear, you have brought
me here, knowing my repugnance for the
for the man you would have me marry,
knowing that l loved Jack" she said, her
voice softening. "You worried me into
this on the plea that this marriage would
be Of great assistance to you, and sent Jack
away with some story about my falseness.
Thank heaven, he has found out the great
wrong about to be perpetrated in time"
Then out of the fog came Mr.. Jack, who
took his stand beside her. They hadn't
seen him until then.
"You are q wicked, ungrateful girl"
sobbed n voice from the floor.
"You-you published the banps With
out my consent or knowledge, mother.
But I'm sorry for your humiliation, Mr..
Thornton" she added, turning to him.
at was unavoidable. IL can't marry
you"
" You don't intend to DO married, Oliver"
gasped her mother, who had sat up to liz
ten.
"Oh, yes, I do-to Jack, she answered,
looking up into his Ease, her own alight
with love.
"Mothor, DEAR, said Miss Olive, turn
ing her bright, fearful face to that irato
lady, mo one can forbid me. am any
own mistress. l came of age yesterday. l
waited for that. Dad, you will give me
sway?'" she asked.