Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-08-22
NUMBER "a.

happy In the coming happiness OF the
heroine and hero Of the night, save
where mother thought Of daughter
already given or to be given IN mar
riage aud the pangs Of the following
separation, or husband unused on his
own shortcomings since he stood up
there at the altar plighting his trOtb.
The masses Of green foliage and white
blossoms In the chancel waved gently
In the draft from an open window and
seemed to beckOn the bridal party.
Then from the yestry room came the
bishop in the flowing robes Of his high
office, followed by the rector, and for
moment stiffness reigned, and as they
took their places before the altar the
organ burst forth into solemn melody.
The bridegroom. leaning on the arm
Of his best friend, entered, and down
the aisle marched the daintily gowned
bridesmaids to meet the bride. Then
slowly the procession turned as Miss
Fielding entered the church upon her
fathers arm; and, preceded by the Choir
listers, their youthful faces upllfted in
the notes Of the beautiful wedding
hymn, the group Of sweet young wom-
anhOod moved back toward the altar.
Just as the party halted In their
places before the chanccl rail the doors
of the church were pushed open to ad-
nit the last guest. To judge Of him by
the Sinking manner Of his walk and
the evident desire to be unseen as he
made his way into the nearest pew, he
was an unlimited guest. But all eyes
were to the front now, and no one said
him nay. lie produced a singular spot
Of unattractivcness In the throng or
well dressed we'll looking men and wo-
men about him. 1t was not to be Won
dered at that the young woman beside
whom he seated himself drew her gown
little closer about her for fear OF the
effect upon her from touching this un-
couh creature. He was tall, but phys
IcaI and mental disease had worn away
the flesh, il 1t had ever been there,
which was necessary to give the mass
i've frame its proper proportions. His
clothes. like his garment Of flesh. were
too small. His boots had long been
without the attentions Of Il shoemaker
or blackng and brush. They were
laced in places with bits Of once white
string. His trousers. barely reaching
70 the tops Of his miserable boots we're
haggy ana threadl'are anl variously
patched. His coat. which had once been
black. WAS gray with dirt and shiny
from long wear and bUttCned so close
ly about him as 10 give the familiar
and pitiful appearance OF having moth
ing underneath. \ gr!my. ragged collar
about his neck WIS the only bit Of linen
In his costume. His hair WAS long and
unkempt. In his hand he held dusty,
greasy. old felt hat. which he fingered
nervOusly md his face crowned right
well this r;ct;',c " fallen manhood and
misery. SJmc r:i,;hap had terribly dis
figured his face. Great livid scars ran
down his check and neck until lost
from sight under his rags. One OF his
eyes was fixed and white and sightless,
and In the other, bloodshot and wild,
and the bloated flesh about 1t were the
unerring signs of the dissipated man.
ner Of his life. only emphasized by his
harsh little cough and breath redolent
with the sickening odor Of liquor.
And yet there was something. had
any one taken the trouble to notice It,
in the delicate structure OF his hands
the queer proud little shake Of the head
and the timid courtesy with which he
found his sitting, which might have
made thc close observer wonder wheth-
er these things were only phenomena
in their companionship with dirt and
iAc"nncSS or the lickering rays OF
bri"'it Light just going ont But no
BODY did take notice. unless it was to
casually comment mentally that one or
the city's great army of half frozen
vagabonds was taking advantage OF
few moments grace in the warmth OF
the church.
The service was about to begin The
charming, sacred notes Of the Mar
cissus" came softly from the organ.
The deep and musical voice Of the
bishop arose from the altar side, reach
ing distinctly to the most distant men,
ber OF the hushed congregation. Slow
ly the bishop uttered the opening words
Of the wedding service, concluding still
more slowly and impressively with the
sentence "If any man can show just
cause why they may not lawfully be
Joined together let him now speak or
else hereafter forever hold his peace
As the last words died away the
bishop, rector, bridal party and con-
gregaton instinctivey bowed their
heads waiting Not move or sound
broke the stilluess for moment; even
the flowers seemed to stop their wav-
ing and TO wait and listen.
Then there ,ame slight shuiiilnS
sound from the rear pew, and tile un-
hidden guest stood in the aisle, erect
n his garments OF rags and dirt. His
one hand clasped cOnvulsively the OLD
hat and his other was raised hlgh
above his head. trembling, as was MS
whole frame, with excessive emotion.
His face was uplifted and ashy pale,
save where the scars drcw livid lines
across It: the muscles around his mouth
were strained and set, his lips were
omen slightly and his tongue moved,
but his voice seemed gone. Then two
men. attendants ut the entrance nov
ed quickly to the figure in the aisle
and. grasping him by the arms, forced
him through the doors.
II was all over in moment. Few,
save those nearest to the scene. had
time to turn about before the doors
swung together behind the men ANA
their prisoner. A faint sound of Tie
disturbance reached the party in the
chanccl. and Miss Fielding turned
ouickly toward the entrance only 10
find Hopkins close behind her, ready
IN reass,re her with few hurried
words. "Only a fainting woman
But he knew it was false, and tomor'
row he would add to the falsehood by
telling those who gossip about 1t that
an insane patient had somehow es-
capped from Blockley and got into
| the church.
The wedding was over, and the bride
stood with her husband under the avn
ing while they were opening the door
of the carriage, when above the hum
-,