The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-08-22

Into this holy estate these two
persons come now to be Joined. If any
man can show just cause why they may
not lawfully be- Joined together, let him
now speak, or, else hereafter forever
hold his peace
My daughter is not of age; I forbid
it said the father, with unnecessary
vehemence.
A murmur of protest ran through the
crowd, and | rebukcd him promptly.
Your objection, sir, is as ill-timed as
il is Intellectual You know the law Of
this particular commonwealth, and you
will oblige me by not again interrupting
this ceremony
Then came a diversion wholly unex-
pected and most embarrassing. The
young woman bit her lip, burst into
tears, and flung herself suddenly into
her fathers arms.
20, poppa-I c-can't do it, she sobbed,
hiding her face on his shoulder II
thought l could, hut l can't. Please take
me aWay-quickw
1t was most embarrassing. as I have
said; and my young Romeo blushed like
girl and made a hollow pretense Of
trying to look as If it was a part of the
program. The father grinned trium-
phantly and addressed himself TO me.
"You see it wasn't 50 blessed inef-
fectual after all I said this young lack
napes here shouldn't marry my daugh-
or without my consent and say it vet
I've come 100 miles on wild engine To
he in time TO say it. Now then. il you're
ntirely satisfied in your own mind that
] am master in my household. YOU may
oh Will, i,h E,,s.
and I'll give the bride away"
If the cacophonous blast from one Of
he locomotive outside which punctuated
the sentence had been an explosion
of dynamite the effect of this declara-
ton could scarcely have been more
startling. Two or three cowboys on the
outskirts Of the throng were moved to
cheer Justify; but Of those most nearly
concerned the young man was the first
to recover his presence Of mind. Taking
Miss Bostwick's hand he looked up at
me and said, very modestly:
Il think maybe we're safe to go on
nOw-that is, if you can make out to
find the place again.
| take no shame in saying that | had
10 fight sharp battle for equanimity;
but, having won it. l went on with the
ceremony with what shards and frag-
mcnts Of dignity | could collect upon
the spur Of the moment. At the proper
question the brides father played his
part. apparently without single Thought
of his superficial unfitness; though those
who were nearest smiled in spite Of
themselves. and l could see that my
young Scapegrace was grinding his teeth
to keep down the unseemy desire 10
laugh outright at his father-in-law's
PERSONAL appearance.
When the ceremony was concluded the
man Of machinery took matters in hand
with hearty brusQuerie.
''Now, Hardwicke you tell Tony to
get up a nice little hot supper for four
no, make it six, and go get your wife
and join us. You two'-to the young
Iebels-can take DR.. Penburton upstairs
with you while l wash up Between you
you've managed to give me a Qualified
hard afternoon Of it, but you didn't get
much the best of the old man after all.
Now, then clear out and I'll go rinse q
little of this gudgeOn grease off"
The waiting room was clearing for the
departure of the west-bound train, and
/ began to make my excuses.
mo, you don't" said the blackamoor
gOod-naturedly. IF you're obliged to
get to CarbonorO tonight I'll send you
over on a special engine; but you've got
to stay and grace this marriage feast,
whether or no. You owe me that much
for getting you here alive"
| yielded, not altogether reluctantly,
it must be cOnfessed but l declined the
special engine. l had had quite enough
of that species of journeying to last me
a lifetime.
On the stairs | overlook the runaways,
and Roderick was saying:
"Wel all'S well that ends that way,
/ suppose; but I'll have to admit feel
a bit aged, don't you, Ellie? When you
threw up your hands and went over to
the enemy l wanted to drop through the
floor. What ever made you so back on
me at the last moment that way?"
She smiled archly and slipped her arm
two inches further in his. you're not
acute this evening, are you,
Alan dear?' she said, lightly. 'You
mustn't forget that l know your father
n-law a great deal better than you do"
Roderick stopped short and put his
hands on her shoulders. Look me in
the eye and say that again." he COM
manded. "DO you to mean to tell me-but
/ don't believe it. If did, I'd go into
politics tomorrow and make you a Mrs.
Ambassador-that what I'd dor
But to this day l believe he is not
quite sure.