The times., 1899-09-24

ing the formation ofr<ye1r head. for an
thropologieal purposes Reter has mania
for skulls"
After that blow Barron retrea4ed with
honor, and bore the groainsman with him.
They spent an hour before sleep in going
over the duties of the morning, Peter max
ing further notes in his book with face
of unexpected interest and earnestness.
When this was done he said:
THAT young woman, Miss Pattie, has
fine pair of eyes, john
Yes? said Barron, expectantly.
Yes. ] saw her looking at this old coat
of mine. 1t is certainly faded, though /
have never noticed it before, and perhaps
she thought / intended to wear it tomor-
row. l am glad that l have brought my
blue one-I am sure that she-I mean you
will like it,
What was coming to Peter? Barron gazed
at his pleased and contented face in grow
ing amazement. Could it be possible that
Miss Pattie had worked this sudden
change? Here was retribution indeed
john said the anthropologist, little
more hesitatingly, a little nervously, i
believe there is an old custom-a grooms-
mans privilege-to- -to--hem---to kiss the
bridesmaid?''
"Eh?" cried Barron, "the bride, you
mean, not the bridesmaid. You kiss the
bride"
Oh said Peter, "the bride is it--not
the bridesmaid? see; and it seemed to
Barron that his face had fallen a little.
But his own amazement was so great that
he could scarcely take notice. He tried
to imagine how Pattie would look if Peter
tried to carry out his mistaken idea Of
the old custom, and he wished with all his
heart that he had left the thing alone.
Then he said Good night to Peter, and
hastened away to his own room to laugh
in peace.
In the morning Peter appeared in the
dreaded coat. 1t was a dark blue, and he
was so pleased with the effect that Barron,
who had prepared another coat for him,
could not find courage to destroy his -lu-
sions. After ALL" he thought, Peter
looks very neat, it I to be a very quiet
wedding, and everything will be over in
half an hour So he actually congratu-
lated him upon his appearance, and neryed
himself to meet the consequences.
The carriage tock them to the church,
where they prepared to wait in the vestry
until the bridal party should arrive.
There Barron spent few anxious mo-
ments in reminding Peter of his various
duties. 1t was at this point that sudden
and startling thought occurred to him.
Peter he exclaimed, have you the
ring?'
What ring?" cried Peter, astounded
"No-upon my world haven't
The bridegroom said something under
his breath. He had not given the ring into
Peters charge on the,.previous night, fear
ing that he might leave it behind him, and
up TO the present moment that horrid coat
had SO troubled his mind that the matter
had quite escaped him. The ring had been
forgotten!
He made a rapid calculation. His house
was not far OFF, and the missing article
could yet be obtained. 4 Itlwas true that the
bride would arrive directly, but If Peter
made an effort he might return with the
ring by the time it would be needed.
Rum" he said-Trun," You know
where it is-in my writing desk. RUM
Peter did not wait for further instruc-
tions He caught up the nearest hat
which happened to be Barron's-and rush
ed out by side door. There was no vehicle
within call, and he could not go in search
of one. Clapping BarTons hat over his
brows he tore away through the quiet
churchyard, the tails OF his blue coat fly
ing behind him.
When he reached the house he knock
ed twice without effect. Then he pereeiv-
ed that every one must have gone to the
church, and turned in despair and help
of the drawing room windows had been
left unhasped and slightly open.
There was only one thing to be done.
He gave a furtive glance up and down
the silent sunny street, and then pushed
the sash higher. There was an awkward
scramble, and the hat was crushed against
the top of the window. In a moment more
he was safely inside
The desk was found, but 1t was locked.
In his agitation Barron had never thought
of giving the keys Peter looked about
bin once more, picked up a poker, and
with one or two blows destroyed the
lock.
There was the ring. all ready in its
case. There also was Barron's pocket
book which had been forgotten like the
ring. Peter grasped the articles, and was
turning to fly, when he found himself face
to face with a policeman!
1t was painful meeting. The officer had
observed Peters furtiye entry, and had
quietly followed. 1t looked to him clear
case of daylight burglary. and he was one
of those obtuse policemen whose convic-
tions it is impossible to move, Peter tried
to explain.
Its a wedding" he cried, "and this is
the ring | came back to get it, and they
are all waiting at the church. | am the
groomsman.
Then came the tragedy of the coat
This policeman knew all about weddings
for he had often attended at the church
doors in an official capacity. He had OBJ
served the costumes worn on such occa-
sions, and he had never seen groomsmaI
in blue coat. He shook his head stub
bornly.
That's all very WELL" he said, but
can't take it, sir. You must walk TO the
or with mo IT'S close by.p
| Peter saw that argument was vain Tht
| entry by the window, the broken lock- the
pocketbook, and, although he did no
know it, the blue coat were all agains
| him. By this time the ceremony mus
have begun, and perhaps they were wait
! ing for the ring. With an exclamation o
rage and despair he hurled both ring an(
the pocketbook into the further corner o
| the room.
| AT the church, however. matters hat
/ gone perfectly. Barron soon decided tha
| Peter must have got into difficulties, an,
then discovered the keys of the desk il
his own pocket. Making the best Of tn
case he secured the services of Miss Pat
! ties brother Charles" as groomsman
sent him TO borrow ring from one of tn
women, and then went to meet the bride
fully provided Everything ran smoothl
after that until the whole party proceeds
to the brides home for breakfast.
From there messenger was sent t
look for Peter, and just as the breakfas
had begun the missing groomsman mad
his appearance. What he had suffere
during the course of his adventure n
one would ever know, but there was in hi
face a mingling of unutterable emotions
Hatless. dusty, hot and disheveled, he step
ped into the room, and stared about him
But his chief emotion was anxiety.
Good gracious, my dear fellow!" erie
Barron, where have you been? What i
,ba ,oatfar2 Come and sit here -