Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1895-12-30

7 FORGIVE YOU"

delicate looking girl OF aDouG ~ some
times there used to sit with them I, Young
fellow, who found the girls place and
shared his hymnbook with her. Orcn,
during a lengthy sermon, 1 saw him hole
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 seat and endcav-
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
/ should have thought it looked suspicious
ly like q runaway, but that couldn't be-
l had hardly sat Il moment when the
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 hcavon!' he calculated, when
be could speak ''My man, will you help
me and earn 800 at the same time?'
Then he told me what it was, his face
white and anxious, his hands trembling,
and 1 agreed. Perhaps l shouldn't have
done so, but [ was young myself then, and
L could begin furnishing on my own
count.
1 proceeded to put everything in its
place again. Then I went out into the
church, locking the vestry door after me.
In the chancel L hurriedly put tho has
socks into neighbOring pow, the books
with and avtiDUTicba1 the 1iphtS
Half an hour-three- quarters went by,
before a boy came to tell me | was wanted
at the church.
But 1 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 [ arrived.
Chow is this Swift?'' asked the vicar.
GA marriage for 11:30 o'clock, and the
church not ready? Now it is after -, -
he went on, pulling out his watch.
Unlocking the door, I stood back to let
tho party enter.
I'm very sorry, SIR I said to the
vicar as he passed. 81 will explain after
ward if [ MAJ"
Ho said TO more, and / proceeded to get
everything slowly ready again, keeping
my eye on tic clock.
1t was nearly 1890 o'clock when, I'M
able to detain thom any longer we walked
up tho mistF aisle into the dimly lighted
chancel.
We drew up in order before the altar
rails, and tho vicar said to me:
''What is the matter with you. Are you
i'll? Where Gro the bOoks?''
/ got them, and the service began.
The bottom end of the church could not
be seen for tic fog yet. l kept my eyes
fixed on where l knew the door to be and
listened with all my ears.
Presently I heard it open; so did she,
and she looked over her shoulder, fear,
hope, doubt, then hope again mingled
with q blessed relief being written all over
her pale face as the footsteps she knew so
well came quietly but swiftly up tho aisle.
We had just reached that part where the
bridegroom says L 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't!'
There was q dreadful pause, during
which the vicar shut his book and Mrs.
Grey sank down in weeping histories. 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 sOftcning. "YOu worried me into
this on the plea that this marriage would
DO 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 imo."
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"
sohbed a 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.
cit was unavoidable IL can't marry
you"
You don't intend to be married, OIive?'
gasped her mother, who had sat up to lis
ten.
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 "ro one can forbid me. I am my
- rlss. | came of age yesterday.
- that. Dad, you will give me
&c asked.
&c -;.yc her away, and Mrs. Grey,
vi Lad realized the TRUTH had to stand
and 8: hcr married to the man she loved,
for nc vicar did marry them, after seeing
the special license was all correct, which
Mr.. Jack had been to procure and for
which l had delayed the marriage.
l 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 Play-wrights.
MISUNDERSTANDING the critics rouse
q playwright up and say to him: "LOOk