New-York tribune., 1896-08-30

protected and repeating the phrase OF tne sur
geon- barber that they were living IN uouoous
times" though he did not know the meaning Oh
II she said nothing did she look at him. put
he felt the grasp Of her hand tighten. and knew
that he had her consent.
The most solemn part Of the service was ap-
proachng: an altar mnstrant rung a silver peIi
and the black -robed wOrshippers SUNK their heads
still lower at the elevation Of the Host strangely
moved Santal bowed his head with the rest ana
for a moment in the wave or devotion Wnich
svcpt over the whole congregation all sense or
present things was lost
When he looked up again he saw that daybreak
was near at hand for the great window over the
altar growing light with pale radiance
The flame Of the candles burnt fainter ana yei-
lower and the figure Of the priest and the cruel
fix before which hc stood grew darker against the
Frightening sky. Though the windows were shu
Santal fancied he could feel the cooler prealh
Of morning mingling with the heavy lncensr
laden air of the chapel. and there was ,t'ie ,.
sprig OF ivy projecting across slue pam WIN" :"
by its constant tapping against the grass
showed that a breeze was moving outside
The mass ended the priest slowly turned
and raised his hand in the parting benedicuoh
vet none Of the congregation stirred; IL seemed
as though they were expecting something more
to come. .
Santal rose from his knees. and taking &C.
ella by the hand led her up the aisle to the
altar-steus ,..
Father" he said addressing the priest. this
noble lady and desire that you will join us IN
marriage before these honorable gentlemen and
before the world" The priest showed no sign
of surprise at the request, but only motloned 10
them To kneel at the altar-raiL No voice was
raised among those present. and no one moved
except the ill-favored cousin who left his place
and drew a little nearer. The pair khtlt To-
gether hut Santa's thought was so beWlldered
that he scarcely took notice OF the service lnat
the nriest had begun to read. until he heard the
question wilt thou take Cecilia here present
for thy lawful wife according 10 the rites or our
Holy Mother the Church, He answered,
viii" and his bride making like response. the
service went on In few moments the prlest
Joined their hands and Santal repeated Slowly
after him: "I. Anthony. take thee' tecila' 10 ne
my welded wife If Holy Church VIII IL permit
10 have and TO hold from this day forward,
for better. for worse. for richer. Tor poorer III
sickness and in health. till death 90 us part
and thereto plight thee my troth
The priest instructed him in low voice that
he must put into his brides hand piece of gold
and Of silver and on her finger n ring lie TOOK
from his purse guinea and shilling. ana
nlaced them in the white hand stretched toward
him. and for ring he drew from his third nm
ger the gold ring with the Belant arms 'ila' ne
had bought In oxford. and slipped II onto the
thunb of her left hand saying as ne did 50:
with this ring thee wed; this gold ana SILVER
thee give: with my body thee worship' ana
with all my worldly goods thee endoW
Then the priest turned 10 the congregation
and said in n clear voice "Sirs. ye are all Wit
nesses that this man hath taken this woman
10 I've his lawful welded wife. and that the bond
which hath this day been tied cannot again he
Ioosed in lie but that they are sealed one to
another TIL death shall them part
II was at this moment that Santal. turning
round saw for the first time the countenances
Of the other worshippers. They wore hXed
gaze as though not cogniZant Of the scene mat
was being enacted and he was suddenly aware
Of a ghastlv contrast between their white faces
and black dresses in the low light of the rising
sun He was conscious. at the same time. mat
the ill-favored cousin had moved niue nearer
to him The priest read few more prayers.
and then. holding his hands over them, gave
thorn the benediction and Santai was about TO
rise from his knees when he felt heavy hand
laid on his shoulder