The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-06-08

I Travel doesn't seem to have im- | proved your manners, young man. I should advise you to be more civil or | you may not get a chance to taste the wedding cake"
 The old man went chuckling up the | church steps leaving his young rival sweating with impotent rage. Could
 1t be that this fair young girl who had been the hope of his life ever since | they were playchildren together was willingly sacrificing herself to thS
 miser's gold? No; he could not be-
 lieve it. It must be for her fathers sake. If only he was sure of this he would go into the church and forbid it. He had not come back empty
 handed and could easily help MT. Wes- | colt out of his difficulties. But sup posing she had thrown him over for Hennessy. He paced back and forth before the church door listening to the priest droning out the service. unable to settle on any definite plan of action.
 "wud ye like to know something that wud stop the wcddin, sor?' whispered a hoarse voice in his ear. Turning, he saw the old man Hennessy had left in the wagon pulling at his sleeves.
 I've been wid him since before he left New York;" continued the shriv- eled little fellow. Hes been a hard master to me all along. but this morn- in he beat me like a dog because told him he ought not to ruin this young girls life. If you would save her. sor, go in and ask him what has become of the wife and children he left back there in the city. He can't deny it, sor."
 Glorious old fellow! Cad. I could hug you"
 All l ask ov you. sor, is that you don't let him know it wuz me that told ye. He'd kill me if he knew.
 "Never fear, I'll take care of you all right. Climb back in the carriage and look dumb. I'll attend to the rest of it."
 Mcfarland threw his hat into the air for very joy of his feelings and then, smoothing the smiles out of his face, walked solemnly into the church. The couple were already at the altar and the priest was preparing to say the final words that should make them man and wife when the young miner strode down the aisle. and touching Hennessy on the shoulder said quietly:
 Before this matter goes any farther, l must have a word with you"
 The priest was so startled that he dropped his book. People in the pews started to their feet in wild excite ment: Hennessy turned with a snarl upon the young man. choking with rage at the unseemly interruption. The bride threw one swift glance into the eyes of the stranger, and flush swept over her face and she clutched the al- tar rail to steady herself Mcfarland was the only cool one in the house.
 I'm sorry to interrupt the proceed ings. MT. Hennessy," he continued, but unless you wish the people here to hear what I have to say you'd bet ter"
 Away with you, fool!" roared the old man. Take the madman away. He has nothing want to hear. Take him away"
 If have nothing you wish to hear have something that will interest my old neighbors. Listen friends. I am Teddy Mcfarland. You have all known me since I was child. Two years ago l went away to seek for gold in the Klondike. While there I worked with a man who once lived in New York In telling him of the people here I men tioned this man, Hehnessy. He asked for more concerning him and recog- nized him as a former acquaintance He told me that Hennessy had wife and children in New York, that he deserted them to come Wes-; left them to starve. can prove what I say. You know it Is true. Look at the old rascal. He shows his built in his looks. You don't deny it. do you Hennessy?"
 They are all dead, long ago." stammered the old man groping blind ly around for his cane.
 "Oh, no they're not Hennessy There's time enough yet for you to make amends. Let me help you to your carriage. You seem rather feeble" Hennessy pushed aside the preferred assistance and staggered out of the church.
 The young miner turned and held out his arms and MoIlie Westcott whis- pered her thanks from the safe retreat of his enfolding.
 The saints forgive le for !y.ng in the church. but it'll save the old man a beating" thought Mcfarland as he bent to kiss the gold of Mollie's hair. RL." by Opie Read.