Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-05-16
CHAPTER XIV.
NOT A DOUBLE WEDDING.


ties to the two marriages that would
soon take place.
The first dozen seats in the chapel as
one entered the door were filed with q
number Of the old family servants Of the
Hills and Of John Lloyd.
Uncle Job was there, and felt his i'm
portance much, for had he not belonged
to Squire Hills father before him, and
had he not trotted on his knee, in their
childhood, all Of his masters children :?
Dinah was there, rugged out in fur
bellows and ribbons, her round, black
face beaming with smiles, and aside
from those on the inside Of the chapel
there were good number on the out
side, waiting to catch glimpse of young
master and miss when they entered the
door.
At Is minutes to eight carriage
rolled up and the clergyman. Rev.
Elliot Chambers, with his wife and
daughter, descended from It and entered
the chapel.
Placing his wife and daughter In seats
well advanced, Rev. Chambers entered
the vestry, from which ten minutes later
he emerged clad in the robes of the
Church Of England.
AZ this momen+ two corr,ones dashed
nm from onnos;te 5,,act;ona
EroTn ona descended sonir. u;r ,;s
wife Clarence and Clara. and from the
ether mamie. Herbert I,atbron and
Amt Moo
AT ,,,o,,1d ror, ,,,o,.. nov, Gotta Az,
son;,, aamd Tho g,,ests fror, w;,m;na.
ton so,nathinn ,,,1,st 18th bavs da,ova1 +ha
sieamer r. con,t Iva belned. tbev nav
Ia hove 70 io,n nc In tha sveJd;n - s,,, r
.arba +;,ne hos orri,oa CIoronoa Co.
+ha clergvman 10 ,,oit;nn Tat .hana
never ha DELAY IN n ,narr,ogan
A n,oment NOVA md SIaro,oo ovid
Fannie stood before the man of God
"If there be any here who know of
any impeachment why this man and
woman NAV not lawfully he ioined tn.
gether in wedlocl.. let them now sneal,
or hereafter hold their pence"
There were none who spoke.
~Who giveth this woman to be mar
rled to this MANI"
Herbert Lathrop looked both pale and
nervous as he placed Fannie's hand in
that Of Clarence, and in moment more
Clarence led his blushinp bride one side.
and Herbert Lathrop and Clara Hill
stood before the altar.
Clara appeared as lovely as ever. but
the expression on her face was not
ono to denote happiness.
But q short distance behind Lathrop,
and leaning against one of the pillars
Of the chapel, was Aunt Mag.
) Her quadroon face was nearly as pale
as Herbert's, and she had been CHANGING
nervously toward the door ever since she
had entered the chapel. Now the time
had come, and he who was to attend
to the balance was not there.
'Da fails mel Da fails mel" thought
Mag, "but ole marster, done swar
the man what murdered you shall never
marry Clara Hill. A nigger,s oath
don't count, marster, but dis do" and
she clutched tightly the handle of the
knife that her dress skirt concealed.
eff there be any present who know of
any impediment why this man and this
woman may not lawfully be Joined to-
gether in wedlock, let them now speak,
or hereafter hold their peace"
IT knows, marster!" and the tall
uuadroon stood erect.
Every eye in the chapel was turned
towards her with astonishment.
She knew that to pause would be
fatal to her purpose, as she would be
elected from the chapel as insane, and
before the onlookers could recover from
their establishment, she hastened on.
Herbert Lathrop murdered his uncle.
I saw him strike the blow. It was not
Angus Bruce"
At that moment steps were heard on
the piazza Of the chapel.
'He struck tho blow from behind the
back of Angus, and 'cused him Of tho
crime. was the only witness, en- a
nigger's oath don't go; but Herbert La,
throp killed ole marster."
All seemed paralyzed. Herbert's
white face was winter vet, and his hand
dropped towards his hip pocket.
Clara had turned towards her father
and was bystercally eiaculatina,
~Home. father: take me homeln
Fannie was leaning ON the arm Of
Clarence, speechless.
"she Is crazyl" suddenly exclaimed
Herbert; Railways was crazyl"
certainly" said the squire; '.you
were foolish to bring her here. This
Is very unpleasant. All know who
killed John Lloyd. He fed as a result
of the crime, and has become notorious
the world over. This poor creature is
insane. Remove her, Corbett."
"Poor Aunt Mag" said Fannie, .she
has surely lost her mind" aud she tried
to 10 to her, but Clarence restrained
her,
IT will proceed" said the clergyman
AS Corbett stepped towards Aun,
Mag her shawl fell from her head ant
shoulders. and her long black hair fell
TO her yery waist. "Maa adn't forget
marster!"
"A step nearer Latbrop. and one Iono
arm was raised on high; from the hand