New-York tribune., 1901-02-03
uYRA ROSABELLA'S COUP D'ET4T.
HOW SHE DOMINATED CIRCUMSTANCES AND
MARRIED THE MAN OF HER CHOICE.

MARRIED THE MAN OF HER CHOICE.
There was a sensation last week in the first cir
cles Of eoiored high life in Baltimore. Myra Rosa
bella Johnson though longer young. was the
leading lady" She is a dashing brunette. whose
life has been full OF checkered romance Only late
" did Myra Rosabella lay aside her widows weeds
for the father OF her eighteen months-old child but
notwithstanding past vcissitudes she determined
to launch again upon the stormy sea Of matrtmony'
this time with lad OF seventeen the partner OF
her choice. His part In the matter. however. was
merely negative
Myra ROsabella possessed the eonGuering spirit
OF a Cesar the ndomitable will OF Napoleon.
and having decided that Artemas Randolph was
the most unresisting victim OF her acquaintance,
she Iaid hands upon him and gave ear 20 the
arguments against the unsuitaoilty OF the match
which met her every hand.
Artemas's parents, needless to say, were opposed
10 this relentless form OF baby snatching yet the
wedding was announced 10 take place from their
home, another evidence OF Myras strategic quail
ties
On the night OF the marriage select company
gathered TO witness the ceremony. The tiny parlor
gave sign of festal decoration On the con-
trary, a broken sheaf OF wheat, funeral Offering
which had been sent the death Of Artemas's
grandmother two years before. and which had been
preserved by the family especially artistic
parlor decoration. in reality CHASTITY re-
minder OF the mortality OF life rather than the
immortality of love.
The guests arrived slowly and with due
mony One particularly majestic mulattO, well
known In aristocratic laundering circles. made
marked impression by the elegant manner she as
sunned as she sank into her chair and remarked,
"rTis the espousaI Of de cause" Her meaning
was not entirely clear, but its very vagueness.
couched In such choice language. caused a muir
muir OF admiration to pass through the select audi
ence Gradually the room filled. Every chair was
taken. A fat matron OF darkest hue entered the
DOOR upon which stylish gentleman" near by
arose and with truly Chesterheldian air said.
ALLOW to prussent ma cheer Mis- Brown
oh I doesn't wish to desprive you, sah.' re-
turned Mrs Brown "No depravity whatever.
ma'am." the gallant reply.
The hour Of $50 arrived ard by the doleful wan
cousin. the bridal couple made their entry and
superannuated relic of ante-beIlum times arrayed
In old Confederate military coat whose tails
Myra Rosabela carried herself with a regal air.
She wore brown velvet gown, not strictly up TO 70
cast ofrs" of the young women of the house in
she carried large yellow ostrich feather fan
which she waved majesticaly to and fro as she
was a gilt chain with broken tortoise shell
lorgnette, and on her much pomaded head she
once viewed the gIories OF New.Y9rk . season but
looked even more insignificant and infantile than
nificence. "'
The ceremony proceeded smoothly until the
words. Does any present know any just cause
or impedment why these two should not be Joined
in lawful matrmOny?' At this critical moment
the bridegroOm's father. Artemas Randolph. ST.,
arose with rheumatic slowness. pointed his fore
finger at the clergyman with determined air, and
announced:
II obiec's to de ceremony proceedin,.'
The assembled audience drew long breath and
meta phOricaly smacked their lips over the i'm
pending conflict The reverend gentleman'S' with
cred face assumed lugubriOus expression. and be
said. with great dignity. Den We'll shet de book
Myra ROsahella did not finch. but her counte-
nance stirened into death-to-the-knife express
sion. The eXpectant bridegroom. visibly frightened
and with prOtruding eyebals, shrank behind the
capacOus folds of MyIa ROsabelas velvet gown.
But MyTa diplomat. TO have and to hold
was her watchWOTd on this mOmentOus occasion.
During the buzz of conversation which followed
the sensational interruption the wouldbe bride held
a hurried consultation with choice coterte. in
was left at the door for the bridegrOOm's father;
"a white gentleman wished to see him at the
corner drug store important business, he must
come at once" Hardly had the door closed behind
him when despite the prOtestattOns OF ArtemaSS
mother up jumped Myra ROsabela. still holding
fast to her frightened Artemas. The reverend
gentleman seized de book. took his place before
The couple turned quickly TO that portion of the
service where he had been interrupted; and with
perfect equanimity proceeded to tie the marital
knot Just as the final benedictiOn had been pro-
nounced the door opened. and Myra Rosabella.
now Mrs. Artemas Randolph. her face wreathed
i'm smiles still clasping by the hand the frightened
A veil should here be drawn, but police records
show that both MyTa ROsabela and Randolph. ST..
were bound over 10 keep the peace FOR six months,
but to Myra given the custody of her huS-
band by a sympathetic Court. Such is the power
of woman!