Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1896-05-21

then turned 10 her neighbor 70 express
her admiration. Moreover, will say
that the sum Of all that praise was not
enough fully to describe Emily Remsen,
who looked every inch "a royal queen, {"
as Dora delightedly told every one for
years afterward.
But after the bridal party had passed
people naturally looked for the groom,
and they wondered not to see him.
Whispering occurred, and inquiries were
made without satisfactory response.
Some thought that there had been q
mistake, and that the signal had been
given to the bride and her friends too
soon. 1t was an awkward situation, be-
cause, Of course, once having reached
the altar, they could not turn and leave
the church again. Consequently they
simply stood and waited. Every one at
length grew so nervous that save for
the organ there gradually stole over the
whole edifice a solemn silence People
were awed, and fearing at last, as the
minutes passed and still the groom did
not appear, that something dreadful
either had or was about to occur they
almost held their breaths. A few inti-
mate friends went out on tiptoe, but the
door leading to the vestry room was
guarded by man in livery, who would
say nothing but that no one could be
admitted
Meanwhile an exciting scene, though
a brief one, was being enacted behind
that door. Just as the two parties were
about to start on their way to the altar
carriage had driven up furiously, and
from it had alighted Mr.. Barnes. He
quickly entered the building and went
straightway into the vestryroom, brush
ing aside the man at the door. Once in
the presence of the groom and his gen.
tlemen attendants, he astonished them
by saying:
Thank God, am not too late.''
'Are you quite sure?' said Mr..
Mitchell, with provoking calmness.
II have come here to stop this we'd
ding, said the detective, a little excit-
ed.
"You mean to delay it. That you are
doing now, as I should be on my way to
the altar to join my bride" 3"
II tell you, I come to stop this we'd
ding altogether, and
Zone moment, Mr.. Barnes. There is
no time to lose, and do not wish you
to speak toe openly. Let me talk for
you. You have reasons, which l can
guess, for wishing mo net to be married.
Am l right?"
81 have said as much. -
If can prove to you that you gain |
nothing by hindering this ceremony,
will you allow it to proceed and then
act as you may please afterward instead !
Of now?"
"Of course, but that is impossible" "
Nothing is impossible, Mr.. Barnes.
Read that if you please"
Taking from his pocket a folded pa
per, he handed it to Mr.. Barnes, who
took it nervously, read it and looked
up amazed.
''This is an outrage, Mr. Mitchell,
and"-
And you have given me your word
not to further interfere at this time If |
you will meet me at my hotel at Q
o'clock, I will answer whatever other
demands you may have upon me. I
think you know that you may trust me
to keep the engagement. Now, gentle
men, we will proceed" Saying which,
he and his friends filed out of the room
and down the aisle of the church, much
to the relief Of the immense throng
awaiting them, leaving Mr.. Barnes ut
terly discounted. The ceremony then
proceeded without further delay, and in
half an hour Mr.. and Mrs. Leroy Mitch
ell were taken in their carriage to the
Fifth Avenue hotel. Mr.. Barnes did not
wait to see them leave the cathedral,
but hurried away almost Immediately
after having read the document which
Mr.. Mitchell had handed to him. This
was certificate of marriage dated the
day before, and performed at the may
or's Office Thus, whatever reason the
detective had for stopping the marriage
the telegram from Seton had enabled
Mr.. Mitchell to once more outwit Mr..
Barnes by simply allowing civil con-
tract to antedate the religious ceremony.
fro tr f,ONTTNTrED