The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-11-05
IT FORGIVE YOU"

Mr. and Mrs. Grey and their daughter, a
delicate looking girl of about 20. Some
times there used to sit with them a young
fellow, who found the girls place and
shared his hymnbook with her. Once,
during a lengthy sermon, 1 SAW him hold
ing her hand.
I Unfortunately, Mrs. Grey saw him, too,
and frovned her disapproval. I noticed he
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, I, as sexton, had orders to open
and prepare the church for their marriage.
I couldn't help being sorry for the bride,
the church looked SO dreary and depress-
ing. If the banns had not been published
I should have thought it looked suspicious
ly like a runaway, but thai couldn't be.
I had hardly sat moment when the
door was flung open, and the young fellow
burst in. 1 jumped up, saying:
'There is 10 hurry, sir, plenty of time,
they haven't como yet"
''Thank hcavenp' he circulated, when
he could speak my man, viii you help
me and earn 500 at the same time?'
Then he tcld mo what it was: his face
white and anxious, his hands trembling,
and agreed. Perhaps I shouldn't have
done SO, hut I was young myself then, and
i could begin furnishing en- my own ac-
count.
proceeded to put everything in its
place again. Thon 1 went out IN to the
church, locking the vestry door alter mo.
In the chancel hurriedly put tho has
socks into neighboring pow, the books
with them and extinguished the lights.
Half an hour-three- quarters went by,
before a 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 ehiveTing bridal party Mrs. Grey was
in q towering passion when l arrived.
Glow is this Swift?'' asked the vicar.
ga marriage for 11:3O o'clock, and the
church not ready? Now it is after IL, -
no went on, pulling out his watch.
Unlocking the door, 1 stood back to let
tho party enter.
vicar as he passed. 81 will explain after
ward if 1 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, IN
able to detain them 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 mo:
"What is tho matter with you. Are you
HIP Where are the books?''
I got them, and the service began.
Tho bottom end of the church could not
be seen for tho fog yet. l kept my eyes
fixed on where 1 know the door to be and
listened with all my ears.
Presently 1 heard it open; so did she,
and she looked over her shoulder, fear,
hope, doubt, then hopc again mingled
with 4 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 60 will, - when the old
man said, 81 will" almost before the
| words were well out of the wears mouth.
Then no turned to the bride with the
same question, and she said:
81 won't!''
There was q dreadful pause, during
| which the vicar shut his book. and Mrs.
| Grey sank down 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 repugnanco for the
for the man you would have me marry
| knowing that I loved Jack, - she said, hor
voice softening You worried me into
this on the plea that this marriage would
DC 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 wicked, ungrateful girl, -
sobbed q voice from the floor.
''You-you~ published the banns with
out my consent or knowledge, mother.
But I'm sorry for your humiliation, Mr.
Thornton, - she added turning to him.
''It was unavoidable. II can't marry
you"
You don't intend to be married, Olive?'
gasped her mother, who had sat up to lis
ten.
sOh, yes, [ do-to Jack, - she answered,
looking up into his face, her own alight
with love.
Mother, DEAR" said Miss Olive, turn
ing her bright, fearful face to that irate
lady, mo one can fo1 bid me- am my
own mistress. 1 came Of ago yesterday. l
waited for that. Dad, you viii give me
away?' she asked.
So he gave her away, and Mrs. Grey,
who had realized the truth, had to stand
and see her married to the man she loved,
for the vicar did marry them, after seeing
the special license was all correct, which
Mr.. Jack had been to procure and for
which 1 had delayed the marriage.
confessed everything to my vicar after
ward, and he said:
''Well, Swift, forgive you. I should
have done the same myself at your age,
but-don't you do it again. London
News.
Going For the Playwrights.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. the critics rouse