Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-02-03

"Thank God, ON not too late"
ton, who, as her fathers dearest friend,
had been invited to take his place, ey-
cry woman present took one lingering
look a5 the woman and her gown and
then turned to her neichbor to express
her admiration. Moreover. l 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 We're
made without satisfactory response.
Some thought that there had been a
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
tho 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 brcaths. A few init
mate friends went out on tiDtoe, but the
door leading to the vestry room was
guarded by q man in livery, who would
say nothing but 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, I am not too late.''
care You quite sure?'' said Mr..
Mitchell, with provoking calmness.
II have come here to stop this wed.
ding" said the detective, a little excit-
ed.
"You mean to delay it. That you arc
doing now, as should be ON my way to
the altar to join my bride"
II tell you, como to stop this wed.
ding altogether, and"-
"One moment, Mr.. Barnes. There is
no time to lose, and do not wish you
n fcn 1x- I OF, 80 IL g.,
you. Yea have reasons, which I can
guess, for wishing me not to be married.
Am right?"
Il have said rs much"
| IF l 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, bat 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
| tooE it nervously, read it and looked
| up amazed.
"This il an outrage, Mr.. Mitchell,
and''-
"And you have given me your wcrd
not to further interfere at this time. II
you will meet NE at my hotel at 2
| O'Clock, will answer whatever other
demands you may have upon me. ]
| think you know that you may trust me
to keep the engagement. Now, gentle
men, we will proceed" Saying which,
he and his friends fled ont 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 tia
detective had for stopping the marriage
the telegram from Seton had epablo6
Mr.. Mitchell TO once moro outwi.J NJ.
Barnes by simply allowing CT n con-.
tract to antedate the religious .aemny.
tTo BE CONTINUED
THE ARsss 6elivsrsx ever even
I a. ~ - . A