Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1900-08-13

The expected groom had not made
his appearance; the Earl of Derwent-
water, Pearle's natural guardian and
protector, was not present-What could
it all mean?
But the license which the strange
bridegroom had given him was all
correct. There were the names of the
parties, and the marriage intentions,
all plainly written and properly signed.
The parties themselves had come at the
appointed hour to have the ceremony
performed; and, Notwithstanding his
utter discontinue and the many fears
which beset his heart, he was compell-
ed to go on with the solemn rite.
More than once his tender heart
failed him; more than once he STAN
mered, and hesitated, and faltered
over the beautiful service; it seemed
such wanton mockery to him, when
he knew that fair girls heart was
given irrevocably to another.
When he came to that solemn charge,
eff any here present know aught why
these two should not be made one, let
them now speak, or forever hold their
peace" he had waited longer than
usual-waited so long that his own
daughter Sara, sitting there, with her
blanched face and wildly beating heart,
felt as if she must shrek aloud, from
the pain which thrilled every sensitive
nerve in her body. He, that good old
man, had waited, hoping, with some
thing like despair at is heart, that some
one would speak, and save the girl
whom he had regarded with such
tender affection from the unholy sacri-
fee.
But no word, no sound disturbed the
death-like hush. The brides pale lips
alone parted, as if she would have
protest had she dared; an icy SILVER
shook her slight frame, and then a
dull despair settled in her eyes.
The moment passed, the fatal bond
was pronounced irrevocable, and a
stranger bore away the bride who
should have gone out of the church
the wife of Richard Byrnholm.
One remarkable feature of the
ceremony had been that the groom
uCCC1 gu oil tlIC 1COpOllOSO Ill C1OdI,
and somewhat triumphant tones; while
the bride, on the contrary, when adj
dressed, uttered no word, gave no sign
even that she heard, but stood notion
less as a statue, that wild, insane stare
still in her eyes.
What should such a strange proceed
ing mean?
For several moments after the bridal
party had passed out, that transfixed
crowd seemed to have no power to
move. The organist forgot the duty
required of him, and sat staring blank
ly at the spot where the bride had
stood, and thus no gay wedding march
that elaborate composition over
which he had spent so much time and
patience-broke the spell which seem
ed to pervade the place, or joyfully
proclaimed the union complete.
The clock in the church tower struck
twelve, and it's heavy, measured tones
served to startle into action once more
the benumbed faculties of the multi
tude. The crowd arose and poured
from the place, every man asking of
his neighbor an explanation of that
mysterious marriage-that unholy
farce
What does it all mean?" asked
Emily Dolbarre, excitedly, and trembl-
ing with nervousness.
Il don't know. Pearle Radcliffe has
been married to the wrong man! and
what my father could have been think
ing of to do it, is more than I can tell"
and the overweight girl burst into a
passion of tears.
Married to the wrong man! never
heard Of such a thing; and yet she
must have been willing, or she would
never have gone to the altar with him."
returned her friend, in establishment.
Il know; but there must be some
thing dreadful about it, to have
made her do it. Perhaps-oh! I don't
know what to think. Pearle looked as
If she was ready to die herself; and
that hateful, hateful man, so proud and
triumphant"
Miss Sara was getting very much ex-
cited, almost hysterica1.
who is he?"
His name is as horrid as his face
ADDISON Cheetham," she saiu, with an
accent of scorn. II was introduced to
him at lawn party fortnight ago.
He has been visiting Captain Byrn-
holm; is-was-a friend of his: but
how he managed to steal his bride
from him is more than my limited
faculties can comprehend"
What an adventures! told Won.
Sara, | felt as if some bolt was about
to fall and crush us ALT has comet"
said Emily Dolbarre, with shudder.
Il feel as if had been crushed. But.
Oh! how must the bride feel! And
poor Captain Byrnholm-how will he
bear it? He idolized Pearle Radcliffe.
What can it mean?"
And those words were echoed re-
peated, and re-repeated during all that
day, and for many days, and there was
no one able to solve the mystery.
To be continued.