The Wilmington daily Republican., 1895-12-27
!, / FORGIVE you"

Ahes- 10Y ~ pon 4sute nrar 'he uooi,
Az s9a isnins Mga s s|, sng s assusesag y saa'
tines There used 10 sit with them young
shared his hymnbook with her. Once,
during lengthy sermon, | saw him hold.
ing her hand
Unfortunately, Mrs. Grey saw him, too,
and frowned her disapproval. noticed he
didn't sit there again. Instead, an elderly
gentleman occupied his sent and endeav-
ored to find hor place, when she would lot
him, but she rarely did.
Ono Sunday she wasn't there, nor he
either, and for tho first tlmo tho banns
were rend out between Olive Grey and
Christopher Thornton.
Ono morning, after the third time of
asking, /, as sexton, had orders to open
and prepare the church for their marriage
couldn't help being sorry for the BRIDE
tho church looked SO dreary and doprees-
ing. II the banns had not been published
/ should have thought it looked suspicious
ly like runaway, but that couldn't be.
/ had hardly sat moment when tho
door was flung open, and the young fellow
burst In. jumped up, saying:
There is no hurry, sir, plenty of time,
they haven't come yet"
"Thank heavenl" he calculated, when
he could speak. my man, will you help
me and enrn 500 at the same timer
Then he told mo what 1t was, his face
white and anxious, his hands trembling,
and l agreed. Perhaps shouldn't have
dono so, but was young myself then, and
Il could begin furnishing on my own ao-
count.
/ proceeded to put everything In Its
place agnin. Then l went out into tho
church, locking the vestry door after me.
In tho chancel hurriedly put tho has
socks into neiRhboring pew, tho books
with thom and extinguished the lights.
Hall an hour-three quarters went by,
before boy came to tell me l was wanted
Mt the church.
But didn't hurry, having my promise
to that young man in view. Tho Vicar was
waiting outside tho vestry surrounded by
the shivering bridal party Mrs. Grey was
in a towering passion WHOM arrived.
'How is this, Swiftg' asked the vicar,
"a marriage for 80 o'clock, and tho
church not ready? Now it is after IL,
ho went on, pulling out his watch.
Unlocking tho door, l stood back TO lot
tho patty enter.
~ IN very sorry, sir" l said to tho
vicar us hc passed. 81 will explain after
ward II l may
Ho said no more, and proceeded TO get
everything slowly ready again, keeping
my eye ON tho clock.
1t was nearly 1880 O'Clock when, un-
able to detain them any longer, we walked
up the misty aisle into tho dimly lighted
ohanCel
Wo drew up in order before tho altar
rails, and tho NiCar said TO me:
'What is tho matter with you. Arc you
illf Where are the booksf'
got them and tho service began.
The bottom end Of the church could not
be Eopn for this fog yet. l kept my eyes
fixed on where l knew the door to be and
listened with all my ears.
Presently l heard 1t open; SO did she,
and sho looked over her shoulder, fear,
hopo, doubt, then hopo again mingled
with blessed relief boing written all over
her palo faco Gs the footsteps she knew so
well crime quietly but swiftly up the aisle
We Ind just reached that part where The
bridegroom snys II will, - when tho old
man said II WILL" almost before the
words were well out Of tho Wears mouth
Then he turned to the bride with the
same question, and sho said;
II wor.'tl'
There was u dreadful pause, during
which the vicar shut his book, and Mrs.
Grey sank down in weeping Mysteries. Tho
bridegroom put up his cyeglass and stared
aghast u. the girls white face.
Mother, father, dear you have brought
me here, knowing my repu2nanco for the
-fU9 tic man you would hayo me marry,
knowing that loved Jack" sho said, her
voice softening lyon worried mo into
this on tic Plea that this marriage would
bo Of grcSI Gssistancoto sou, and sent Jack
away with some story about my falsoness.
Thank heaven, he has found out the great
wrong about TO he perpotrGtcd In time F"
Then out Of tho fog came Mr. Jack, who
took his stand beside hor. They hadn't
seen him unril then.
You ara. u wicked, ungratoful girl, ~
sobbctl voice from the floor.
"You-you published tho banns with.
out my consent or knowledge, mother
But I'm sorry for your humiliation, Mr..
Thornton" slio added, turning to him
at was unavoidable. IL can't marry
you"
"YrS, don / intend 10 be married, Oliver
gasped Ter mothSr, who had sat up to lis
ten.
"Oh, yes, 1 do--to Jack" she answered
looking up into his face, her own aligh
with love.
"Motlior, dear, " said Miss Olive, turn
ing her bright, fearful face to that irat,
lady, no ono can forbid mo. am N,
own mistress. | came Of ago yesterday
gaite4 for th@., Dad, you will give IN,
away she asked.
SO h9 gayo her away, and Mrs. Grey
who had realized tho tritth, had to stant
and see her married to the man she loved
for Che vicar did marry them, sitter serint
the special license wos all correct, whicl
Mr.. Jnrli had been TO procure and 70
which had delayed the marriage
l confessed everything to my vicar after
ward and he said:
''Well, Swift 1 forgive you l shout,
hayo dono tho same myself at your age
but-don't you do it again. n-Londol
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