Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-10-15
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Makes the food more delicious and wholesome
ROYALS opo~uaco

The church was so dark, coming In
from the sunlight, that Mr.. Melville
could not ut first see anything. He
thought to himself 1t must be natural
| for the best man to take In the bride.
At the altar the minister, an old and
deaf man. was already waiting. He
was in q great hurry to get through,
so as to take train for the country,
and began the service before the we'd
ding party knew what they were about.
Poor Melville did not notice anything
until Smith-Jones was poking at his
elbow and finally put Melville's hand
into Miss Abigaips, and Smith-Jones,
who had the ring, was also obliged to
put that on the brides finger. Then
they were all hustled into the vestry to
sign the register, where the old clergy
man was already out Of his surplice
and the door at the same time.
AS they turned to leave Smith-Jones
exclaimed: III the man hasn't signed
as witness! Where is he?" For the
bridegroom had disappeared.
He was out in the church examining
some Of the ancient tablets. while the
blushing bride was waiting in corner
of the vestry. Mrs. jenkins and Mr..
Potter were looking amazed, while the
perspiration was beginning to run down
poor Smith-Jones' face.
1T is my fault" he said. Il told him
I would show him what he must do"
And. grasping Melville's arm. he hur-
ried him back to the vestry. where
again he was attached to his bride. In
some way they all got out into the
street. when presently Mr.. Melville
found himself alone in a carriage with
Miss Abigail. Then he began to be
alarmed and turned first white and
then red. The bride was frightened.
"What Is the matter. my dear Chris
topherT she said. for now that they
were married she considered 1t proper
to address him by his Christian name.
Mr.. Melville gasped. She had called
him Christopher! What had happened?
Was he mad? Had he lost his reason
Il am afraid. madam" he said. that
some dreadful mistake has happened"
Dreadful mistake" she replied.
"What do you mean, sir2 You are
marriedv she shouted above the roar
of the street and noise Of the carriage
"Marriedf" he said. impossible"
"Why. Mr.. Melville. you proposed,
and l accepted"
"When did propose. madam"
"Why. two weeks ago in the dining
room at Mrs. Jenkins"
Mr.. Melville happened to think of the
note be had written. Could that have
anything to do with the matter?
"You received my note?" he asked.
Miss Abigail said no and shook her
head very decidedly. Mr.. Melville
sank back into the carriage. 1t all
came to him at once-how Miss Abigail
had misunderstood him and. he not
hearing her replies. she had thought he
proposed.
And now they were married. What
dreadful situation! What should he
do7 And here they were back at the
house. and Joachim. the unwitting
author Of all the trouble. was sitting
on the top step. having escaped from
Miss Abigall's room.
Smith-Jones and Potter were aston
ished to see Melville jump out OF the
carriage and. leaving his bride. rush up
the steps swearing audibly at bis pet
and kicking the poor cat down the
steps.
OF course there was scene, and the
bride retired. to be comforted by Mrs
jenkins. Mr.. Melville did not 60 to
Paris that night. but It finally ended In
their both going few days later.
while poor Joachim was never seen
afterWard.