Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1901-03-27
emotion shook the little hand Instant.

emotion shook the little hand. Instant
ly his own hand closed above hers.
"Be not afraid. my child" he said:
"all will be we'll" His voice. low and
sympathetic, was the first to break the
silence of that room. The girl ceased
crying and her hand lay quiet within
his own. Then the doctor spoke in
whisper:
I'VE are ready" he said to third
person; make the ceremony as brief
AS possible" The other began:
Richard Somers, do you take this
woman TO be thy welded wife, to live
together after Gods holy ordinance in
the holy state of matrimony? Wilt thou
love her. comfort her, honor and keep
her in sickness and in health, and, for
saking all others, keep thee only unto
her. so long as We both shall live?"
There was silence, and then Richard
Somers said gravely: al take this wom-
an TO be my lawful welded wife: and
shall comfort her, honor and keep her
in sickness and in health, to the best of
my ability, as long as / shall continue
to be her welded husband Is that
sufficient, sir. TO answer all legal re
quirements?"
That is sufficient" said the unknown
speaker. Frances. wilt thou have this
man to be thy welded husband
$40 honor him at all times and in all
hours while life shall last?'' said Som
ers. intcrrupting. II ask no more, no
less"
Then upon his hearing fell clear,
musical voice. fiawlcss as the note of
dove, plaintivc rs the wind-harp OF
the pines:
Yes" it said. "to honor him at all
times and in all hours while life shall
last, whether in the days to come we
meet again or we meet no more" He
lifted his head quickly, his hand closed
impulsively over hers, and cry trem-
bled upon his lips.
That voice." he said. deeply affected.
Il have heard-but no,"-his CHR
sank upon his breast; lit cannot be"
He caught the words of the unknown
speaker beginning the Invocation.
No! no." he cried almost iercely,
1T is a sacrilege,"
Then said the speaker. lit is suf-
hclent to say that under authority
vested in me by the state OF Virginia
pronounce you man and Wife Som
ers stood silent and depressed There
was n whispered consultation; the
inner door opened softly and some one
passed out.
The scene and circumstances had
powerfully affected the doctor.
There were difficulties / had not
foreseen, he said, gravely. but you
have safely passed them. my friends.
And now | must leave you. Dick, /
have placed in your hands the honor
of woman-and my own. | will re-
turn for you before it is light. Re
member! The gas is now extinguished
and you may remove the bandage."
He drew the girl towards him tender
ly. You may trust him implicitly.
For the rest, all is now safe. Good
night, and God bless you both" He
laid his hand reverently upon the
girls head, clasped his friends hand
| and would have passed ont, but the
hand he clasped restrained him, and
Somers spoke fcelingly as he drew
him aside:
rs this necessary-thisr remaining?
Think how
Absolutely! I read decision last
week, and I must have a marriage
that will stand the test of the highest
court
You read a decision? Are YOU not
acting under the advice of your law
yers?"
Lawyers be hanged! know vir-
ginia law. A simple acknowledge