Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-03-11
bride entered the church on the arm of
that magnificent man, Mr.. Van Rawls-

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"Thank Gnd, Ihm not too late"
ton, who, as her fathers dearest friend,
had been invited d take his place, ev.
cry woman presents took one lingering
look at the woma1 and her gown and
then turned to h9 neighbor to express
her admiration. Moreover, will say
that the sum Of an that praise was moi
enough fully to describe Emily Remsen,
who Looked every ipch "a royal queen, u
as Dora delightedG told every one 70,
years afterward.
But after the bridal party had passed
people naturally looked for the groom,
and they wondeed not to see him.
Whispering occurrsd, and inquiries were
made without satisfactory response.
Some thought thht there had been a
mistake, and that the signal had been
given to the bride and her friends toe
soon. It 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 1ervous that save fo1
the organ there gradually stole over the
whole edifice sobmn 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 init
mate friends went out ON tiptoe, but the
door leading to the vestry room was
guarded by a man in livery, who would
say nothing butt that no one could be
admitted.
Meanwhile an exciting scene, though
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, tam not too late. -
"Are you quite sure?" said Mr..
Mitchell, with provoking almness.
II have come here to stop this wed.
ding" said the detective, 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.
II tell you, come to stop this we'd
ding altogether, and''-
Zone moment, Mr.. Barnes. There is
no time to lose, and I do not wish you
to speak too openly. Let me talk for
you. You have reasons, which can
guess, for wishing me not to be married.
Am right2"
II have said as much"
IF I 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
"f now?" ;,,,,00;h,o -
"Nothing is impossible, Mr.. Barnes
Read that if you please"
Taking from his pocket a folded pa
DER, be handed it to Mr.. Barnes, who
took it nervously, read it and looked
up amazed.
"This is an outrage, MIR. Mitchell,
and"-
"And you have given me your word
not to further interfere at this time II
you will meet me at my hotel at 2
O'Clock, will answer whatever other
demands you may have upon me. l
think you know that you may trust me
IT, 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 a 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 MIR.
Barnes by simply allowing a civil con-
tract to antedate the religious ceremony.
TO BE CONTINUED.