The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1899-03-15
A STXTON'S STORY.

They sat in a pew quite near the
door, Mr. and Mrs. Grey and their
daughter, delicate looking girl OF
about %. Sometimes there used to sit
with them young fellow. who found
the girls place and shared his hymn
book With her. Once, during u lengthy
sermon, ! saw him holding her hand.
Unfortunately Mrs Grey saw him,
too and frowned her dlsapproyai. | no
ticed that he did not sit there again.
Instead an elderly gentleman occupied
his seat and endeayored to ind her
place. when she would let him; but
She rarely did.
One Sunday she wasn't there nor he
either, and for the first time the bans
were read out between Olive Gley and
Christopher Thornton.
One morning after the third time OF
asking |, as sexton, had orders To open
and prepare the church for their mar
rIage. | couldn't help being sorry for
the bride. the church looked so dreary
and depressing.
| had hardly sat a moment when the
door WAS flung open and the young fell
low burst in. | jumped up. saying:
There is no hurry. sir; plenty Of
time, they haven't come yet!
Thank heaven" he CALCULATED when
lie could speak My man, viii you help
me and earn 800 at the same time?'
Then he told me what it was. his face
white and anxious, his hands trem-
bling. and agreed. Perhaps | shouldn't
have done so, but | was young myself
then. and could begin furnishing on
my own account.
proceeded to put everything in its
place again. Then | went out into the
church. locking the vestry door after
me
In the chancel | hurriedly put the
hassocks into a neighboring pew the
books with them and extlnguished the
lights.
Half an hour three-quarters. went by
before a boy came to tell me | was
wanted at the church.
But didn't hurry. having my prom
Use to that young man in view. The
vicar was waiting outside the yestry
surrounded by the shiyerng bridal
party. Mrs. Grey was in towering
passion when | arrived.
How is this. Swift" asked the
vicar "A marriage for i:30 O'Clock
and the church not ready? Now it IL
after r." he went on. pulling out his
watch
Unlocking the door. | stood back tG
let the party enter.
I'm very sorry. sir said to the
vicar as he passed. Il will explain az
terward IL may"
He said no more. and proceeded TO
slowly get everything ready again,
keeping my eye ON the clock.
II was nearly 1890 o'clock when I'M
able to detain them any longer, we
walked up the misty aisle into the dim
ly lighted chancel We drew up in or
der before the altar rails. and the vicar
said TO me:
What is the matter with YOU? Are
you ILL Where are the books
| got them and the service began.
The bottom end OF the church could
not be seen for the fog yet. kept my
!
be and listened with all my ears.
Presently | heard 1t open; SO did
she. and she looked over her shoulder.
fear, hope. doubt, then hope again
mingled with a blessed relief being
written all over her pale face as the
footsteps she knew so well came quiet
ly but swiftly up the aisle.
We had just reached that part where
the bridegroom says: Il WILL" when
the old man said Il Will" almost before
the words were well out OF the wears
mouth.
Then he turned to the bride with the
same question and she said
II WON'T"
There was dreadful pause. during
which the vicar shut his book. and
Mrs. Grey sank down in weeping hys-
terics The bridegroom put up his eye
glass and stared aghast at the girls
white face.
Mother. father. dear. you have
brought me here, knowing my repug-
nance for the-fcr the man you would
have me marry. knowing that | loved
Jack" she said, her voice softening.
"You worried me into this on the plea
that this marriage would be of great
assistance TO you. and sent Jack away
with some story about my falseness.
Thank heaven. he has found out the
great wrong about to be perpetrated In
time"
Then out OF the fog came Mr. Jack.
who took his stand beside her. They
hadn't seen him until then.
You are wicked ungrateful girl"
sobbed voice from the floor.
"You-you published the bans with
out my consent or knowledge. mother
But I'm sorry for your humiliation. Mr.
Thornton" she added, turning to him.
1T was unavoidable. Il can't marry
YOU.
You don't intend to be married
Oliye?" gasped her mother, who had
sat up to listen.
"Oh, yes, do-to Jack, she answer
ed. looking up into his face. her own
alight with love.
Mother. dear" said Miss Olive,
turning her bright, fearful face to that
irate lady, no one can forbid me. am
my own mistress. | came OF age yester-
day ! waited for that Dad, you will
give me away?" she asked
SO he gave her away, and Mrs. Grey,
who had realized the truth, had to
stand and see her married to the man
she loved. for the vicar did marry
them, after seeing the special license
WAS all correct which Mr.. Jack had
been TO procure and for which | had
delayed the marriage.
/ confessed everything to my vicar
afterward. and he said: