Evening star., 1901-11-16
10 oAber .@ay1Il = ! - -
So, 5, :5!,,,, s:;.ss;azz e! =

might have fingered on for year or two
though we could have Kept him short, and
so brought him to an end Now, by COM
ing mere, you are free in week AS Tor
the place and the creature and the means,
what do they matter? Courage. madam
Oh, that | should free myself by the in
fanny of man that 1 must call husband
l shall never be able to think of Tyburn
without feeling that / belong to it. Oh,
the shame of it,
Nonsense, madam The freedom of it!
And here comes his reverence. Bear up,
now, and behave with courage" The cler-
gyman was dressed as an ecclesiastic in
prosperous circumstances. Indeed, his ices
were abundant and his services were in
constant request, especially for those VINO
would make a cIandestine marriage in or
der to escape the wedding festivities. His
cassock was of silk; his wig was well kept
and recently out of the BARRIERS hands; his
rufhes were clean and white, il not of such
costly lace as adorns the wrists of a bishop;
MS hands were spotless; his face to be
sure, was not marked by those outward
signs OF piety which We find in some clergy
men, yet their absence is not in itself SO
rare as to be remarkable. Truth to say,
II was red face, even at times purple.
In figure he was a big man, tall and stout,
even corpulent. He rolled as he walked.
He moved with the dignity of a city rector.
He spoke one who had authority, with
a Loud, full voice. In his voice, indeed,
there was kind of rich and mellow fruftf-
ness which made. one think, / know not
why, of old port, milk punch and mulled
c1aret. He knew the turnkey and nodded
familiarly. He would, indeed, presently
share with him a portion of his fees. He
looked round the court with an eye OF
superior contempt, as if he expected some
thing better than the common run He
whispered the turnkey and laughed when
he had an answer. He was accompanied by
his servant, who walked after him, carry
ing two books. The varlet had an impudent
ieer IN his eye and permanent grin upon
u,h hn hnd
touting in Fleet bridge and Ludgate Hill
for his master. He was dressed in drug
get waistcoat with sleeves. He wore his
own hair cut short and sticking out upon
his head like scrubbing brush. A pen was
stuck behind his ear and an inkhorn was
in his waistcoat pocket. He had no hat,
but the time was June and the day was
warm.
Sir she said. Il am glad that you were
not engaged, though my notice was abrupt.
With you. at least, we shall be safe
Madam with me you are quite safe
you safer. AS for engagements, / have
many; this very day 1 have to preach at
st. Pauls. The lord mayor and the alder
men and sheriffs will be there
1t VIII be understood that strict truth
was not one of the virtues of his reverence.
But when a lady-a lady-is in the cas- -
you-Mrs Brymer-or another-'
The dressmaker indicated her companion
All uHueTStanQ-l reared at 6rSt that
the bridal of my old friend, Mrs. Brymer-
All! yes-very good. Where this lady,
say, is concerned the dean and chapter
nay--the lord mayor. the aldermen, the
sheriffs and the common council may go
hang. Such, madam, is my respect-my de-
votion-to the sex"
I'VE shall not keep you many minutes,
sir, in this sinking place.
The fee,' croaked the clerk in grating
voice, "fs one guinea, paid beforehand"
II understand, the parson continued,
that hasty marriage marriage cf love
is to be contracted at once between-this
lady?"
''The certificate is five shillings extra
from the servant
This is the lady We will proceed at
once,' said Mrs. Brymer.
The clerks fee is half a CROWN added
the servant. .
''Sir. if you will come with me. we will
use one of the cells. I win at once bring
you the-the bridegroom
'Faugh! How the place stinks, I doubt
we shall all get jail fever. Come. madam
let US dispatch Which Of these gallant
but unfortunate, gentlemen is the happy
- the fortunate - the thrice fortunate
swamp T.
(To be continued