Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1901-09-26

tl'IIl III ll' rftHi 'rUllk Wlll'H h'iu tllc
papcrs and books of the church, put
ting the key in his pocket.
and now" said Mr.. Purdcn, "lct me
congratulate my noble patron and the
newly made countess on this auSpi-
cious event have brought with the
q bottle of the finest port the Crown
possesses, and | venture to drink
health happiness and prosperity" SO
saying he produced bottle and glass
es. The bride, without saying word.
inclined her head to the bridegroom
and drank off her glass. Lord Fyling-
dale, who looked If one may say SO of
n bridegroom. peevish and i'll Mt ease,
raised his glass. "ro your happiness,
Molly" he said.
SO all was finished. "You are going
home, Mollyf' he asked. For the
prcscnt-that is to say, for Il day or
two-it will be best. I shall claim you
very soon. There Is no one but our
selves in the vestry." G'or the clerk,
having locked the box and accepted the
guinea bestowed upon him by the bride
groom, was now tramping down the
church and through the porch No one
but themselves was in the vestry or
the church, You may therefore take
of your domino"
AS your lordship plcases." Lord
Fylingdale started. Whose voice was
that? "As you order I obey" SO the
bride removed her domino and threw
back the hood.
The bridegroom started. what is
this?" he cried. furious with certain
words which were out of place in
church.
Lady Anastasia" cried Mr.. Purden.
"Good Lord. Then we are oil undone"
'"Whnt does It mean? Tell me, she
devil. what does it mean? Where is
Molly? But this is play acting. This
is not a marriage"
II fear, my lord" said the parson,
shat it is a marriage. The registers
are in the strong box. They cannot
be altered"
"Cio after the clerk, man. Order him
TO give up the keys. Tear the pages
out of the registers"
Il cannot" said Mr.. Purden. 81 dare
not. The man is witness of this
marriage. He has seen the entry in
the register. dare not alter them or
destroy single page. | have done a
great deal for your lordship, but this
/ thing cannot do. 1t is a marriage,
say. You are married to the Lady An
/ astasia here"
/ Talk, Talk! Go after the man.
| Bring back the man. Tear the keys
| from him. Silence the man. Buy his
silence. BY heaven. | will murder him
/ in order to stop his tongue"
Your lordship forgcts your bride
/ your happy, smiling, innocent BRIDE
lie cursed her. He raised his hand
as if to strike her down, but forbore.
II told YOU" she continued, that in
everything ! was at your service-cX.
ccpt in one thing. Tear the registers
murder the clcrk-but the bride will be
left. And if you murder her as well
you will be no nearer the possession Of
the lovely Molly"
The bridegroom sank into chair.
He was terrible to look at, for mis-
wrath and disappointment deprived
him OF the power Of speech. Where
was now the cold and naughty front:
1t was gone. He sat in the chair, up
right, his face purple, his eyes starting
from his head, as one who hath some
kind of tit
The clergyman, still in his white sur
plice. looked on and trenbled, for his
old pupil was in a murderous frame of
mind. There was no knowing whom
he might murder. Besides, he had be
fore this OWNED the true meaning of
the visit to Lynn, and he foresaw ruin
to himself as we'll as his patron.
Lord Fylngdale turned upon him
suddenly and cursed him for fool, an
ass. a villain, traitor. You are in
the plot" lie said. You knew all along.
You have been suborned."
"My lord. my lord, have patience.
What could know? | was hidden to
be here at & to marry you. ] supposed
that the bride was the fair Miss Molly,
could not tell. | know nothing. The
lady was in a domino. 1t is irregular
to be married in a domino, but your
lordship wished it. What could ! do?'
Send for the key, then, and destroy
the registers"
Alas, my lord, 1t is now, you may be
sure. all over the town that you have
been married. and to Miss Molly"
Where is Molly? Where is Molly
then? Why did she keep away?"
The bride looked on with her mock
ing smile of triumph. you may muir
der me-" she said but you will not
undo the marriage. | have been mar
ried. it is true, under a false name, but
i am married none the less"
You have brought ruin upon us all,
her husband said, ruin, headlonl
ruin. am at my last guinea. car
raise no more money. l have no more
credit. You yourself are as much dis
credited"
"lf you are ruined" the lady replied
you are rightly punished. How many
VOWS have you made to met How
many lies have you invented TO keel
the quietF"
With submission, my lord" Mr.
Purden stammered, for terror and be
wilderment held him. This Is baC
mornings work. Let me advise tina
before the town is awake we leave thu
church and talk over the business II
her ladyship's rooms or elsewhere. W.
must be private. To curse and 4
swear helps nothing. nor does It hell
10 talk OF Jealous revenge Let Vi