Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-11-07
THE PANGB0URNE
EL0PEMENT.
ILLUSTRATED London News)

the Elephant. next TO the church, always
full in summertime, was doing an I'M
usually roaring trade.
The wedding was not a popular one.
The bride, Beatrice Grey. was much~ be
loved In Pangbourne. but had her father
been living-so IT was said-the union
| about 10 be celebrated would never have
been permitted. Mrs. Grey, however, was
satisfied. She was one of those women
who think that the be-all and and end-all
of life Is to be rich, which the BRIDE
groom, Godfrey Brewster. certainly was.
He had already been Sheriff Of London
and in the ordira course Of city GUS
tom he would almost certainly become
! Lord Mayor.
He had a rival in John Vaisey, of the
| Fighting Fifth" a dashing young SOL
der. who had fought like a man in the
Tirah under Lockhart. and whose brave
deeds deserved 10 be better recompensed.
| Up there in the Afghan hills he had been
! within an ace of death time and again,
but he had come home without scratch,
to find Beatrice, whom he loved, pledged
| to another man. In spite Of this Captain
Vaisey had made every effort TO win her
for his own, but Mrs. Grey had persist
emily opposed him, and the little Incl
dents Of life on which the fate OF men,
and even Of nations, hangs had been
against him. II was true that Beatrice
secretly cherished a tender regard Tor
him. but misrepresentation, gossip,
scandal, and worse than all, misunder-
! standings. had kept them apart for
whole year and now here was her we'd
ding day.
Beatrice. with her sister and mother,
lived at Weir House, the pretty villa with
the terrace below the lock. The 'front.'
faces the road the back commands the
| river Beatrice, overcome by the ordeal
through which she was passing, tried by
her mothers attentions, teased by the
good-natured badinage Of her bridesmaids
and almost IN tears at the sacrifice Of her
happiness. which at the eleventh hour
she inwardly knew this marriage meant,
sat in tho drawing-room in her bridal
dress-though not yet gloved or yelled
staring drearily at her wedding presents,
but wearing a wedding-day smile, when
the old gardener came in a flustered sort
of way and stood. hat in hand, at the
French windows. He carried small bou-
quet Of white roses.
She went toward him and took the
flowers, when, with the familiar but re-
spectful freedom Of an old servant, he
motioned her aside. As she stepped out
on to the terrace he slipped into her
] mana u IDkt.
"The Cap'n told me TO gle We the roses,
Miss, and particular the note. He be
yOnder j. the punt"
II was the merest scrap Of paper torn
| from a notebook, and not even in an
envelope She unfoldcd and hastily read
the brief pencil scrawl:
Before you are irreyocably lost speak
10 me. l implore you. JACK"
The gardener stood by her side and
pointed TO Captain Naisey. He was on
the lawn under @ willow, and his punt
was moored by the steps Of the river
terrace close by.
| For a moment or two she hestated.
then, crunching the note in one hand
and gathering up the train Of her dress
in the other she hurried across the
lawn. As soon as she advanced towards
| him he stroye 10 meet her eagerly.
There was no time for long speech or
argument, and that John Vaisey knew
well. His was a desperate effort and It
was time not for words, but for ac-
ton.
This marriage must not be-" he said
She was as white as her own gown.
She looked about her, shuddering.
you will be unhappy for your whole
| life" he said. sternly "YOu know you
do not love this man. I know you love
me-"
1T IS too late" she faltered.
She looked back at the open French
windows OF the house, paused doubtfully
and stepped a pace or two towards
| the river. Her hesitation encouraged
| him. He put his arm through hers and
| led her away, talking persuasiyely rapid
| ly. till she stood by the punt
There is no time for consideration"
he said, drawing her into the punt.
Almost before she knew # he had IN
loosed the chain and pushed off from the
! terrace.
But where, how-what is thls?" size
| exclaimed in sudden apprehension.
"Well, it's on eopement" he replied.
That's the plain English Of IT, Instead
Of marrying Mr. Brewster at Pangbourne,
you marry me at AIapledurham. l love
you, Beatrice. and that's the truth. Why
| should you be miserable foreverP
She covered her face with her hands;
she clinched her fists; she implored him
| 10 return but he only punted steadily
down the stream, pausing but once TO
throw wrap over her bridal dross. At
first she was I'm tears. but as they got to-
ward Mapledurham she had a Mt Of hys-
tercal laughter. Then she grew pale.
| II expect they're looking for me every
where. Imagine mother. 0. Jack. this
| Is QItdQIul Iaht ne Ddtk tut lie
| ashore"
But Jack quietly punted on. When they
came to the old mill Jack helped her opt
of the punt. and, holding her hand, COW
cred IL with kisses.
you're ashore now Beatrice and
there's Mapledurham church. have
| thought all this out. Here's the marriage
| license, and the Vicar is expecting us-or.
anyhow, he's waiting for us-unless you'd
rather 90 back and become Mrs. Brew
| ster"
'As though he'd have me now" she
pouted. "after keeping him waiting like
| this"
Jack laughed. whereupon she frowned.
Then she laughed. and as suddenly be-
came serious again, turning round to
gaze beyond the belt of naples and over
the beautiful river toward Pangbourne.
II know what you're thinking" said
Jack; but never mind the-the others.
Come along"
When they came TO the church gate she
chung 10 him a moment, and. lifting her
face up to his. whispered, I'm a sudden
burst of gratitude: 80, Jackl How you
have saved mel Won't ! just be a good
wife TO you for this!"
And she Is.