The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1906-01-25
CHAPTER XXI

The eighteenth of September was a
damp, comfortless morning. and Mailing
FORD Park looked particularly desolate.
The sky was of dull gray, and the rain
drizzled steadily all the day through.
Babette was busy in Miss Malling's
dressing room. 1t was half past nine
o'clock, and she had just returned from
seeing her mistress off by train. None
of the guests were aStir yet, and the
house was unusually silent, as it was
likely to be for some hors. The ball of
the previous night had been exceedingly
spirited, and was not concluded until
nearly 6 o'clock, so that the visitors
early.
Babette was to join her mistress at
Charing Cross station with the luggage
at half past 2, and, though her mind
was full of tormenting doubts as to the
days events, she went about her business
as methodically as though nothing I'M
usual had happened. Tenderly and care
fully she folded up the elaborate gown
Of cream-colored satin, with its draperies
OF thick costly lace, aud its superb bou-
quets Of deep crimson blossoms, in which
Miss Mailing delighted the eyes of her
admirers at the ball Very circumspect-
~ she placed the magnificent diamonds
and rubies, with which her mistress had
adorned her ;hapely throat and arms. in
their cases, and then packed them in a
small oaken box with steel clamps. Then
she went round the room with her keys
and locked and strapped the travelling
trunks one after another. That done.
she sat down 10 wait, she knew not for
what
Captain Polling received telegram at
a quarter to IL that morning which
| filed him with surprise and curiosity.
1t ran:
AT all risks get to Bishopsgate
| church in time to see a wedding fixed
for this morning, and obtain good view
of the brides face
The telegram had been dispatched
| from Bassillia, and he remembered the
name as that Of the nearest railway sta
ton TO the convent where he had for nd
! his wife's grave. Without knowing why,
he felt that he must obey the telegra m,
and he was just in time to catch the IL
o'clock express for Waterloo. On arriy-
ing at his destination, Captain Polling
ran his eyes rapidly down the cab rank
within the station, picked out the smart
est looking horse, sprang into the cab,
and called through the trap to the driver:
"A sovereign if you reach Bishopsgate
church by twenty minutes to t2v'
| The hCrse justified his good opinion.
| and the drive vas accomplished in good
| time The church doors were open, and
a four wheeled cab was waiting outside.
He crept in very quietly, and walked up
| the aisle, Rot wishing TO disturb the SER
vice, for he do not know what he was
there for save to see the brides face. He
| judged rightly that his future conduct
was TO be guided by that inspection.
The churct, was cold and gloomy this
miserable morning. and a few persons
were scattered mere and there among the
seats, attracted possibly more by curl
| osity than interest.
As Polling advanced, he was struck
by the subdued richness of the brides
costume, and he was not a little surpris-
ed at the absence of the usual attend
ants-for the old lady standing behind
the bride evidently filed the Office of
pew opener. The bride and bridegroom
were a fine couple, the man being quite
/
well proportioned.
Polling went quietly along the chancel
until he reached the end nearest to tie
altar, and then he waited for the bride
to turn her face toward him. The cler-
gyman's voice went on with the service:
wilt thou obey him and serve him,
love, honor and keep him In sickness
and IN health, and, forsaking all other,
keep thee only unto him, 20 long az ye
both shall liver
| Then, for the first time, she turned
! toward Polling. Her expression was one
of unmixed rapture as she raised her eyes
to the bridegroom's, and her lips were
Enclosed to speak the words II will, y
when she became aware of Pelling's fixed
stare of horror. His gaze attracted her
invoIuntarily, and she looked instinctively
over Jacks shoulder in his direction
Jack, wondering what was the matter
and fearing she was going to faint,
prompted her with the short answer.
She did not speak, but continued to
gaze over his shoulder at the man who
had 50 unaccountably riveted her atten-
ton. Her under Jaw dropped spasmod.
ically, her eyes became as fixed as those
ste was gazing into. and every vestige OF
Life and color left her face.
The next thing Jack seemed to realize
was that a gentleman wearing q lgiht
overcoat was speaking quietly to the a.
tcnished clergyman and suggesting that
the lady should be taken to the vestry,
az she was evidently very III,
TIE scattered congregation looked ai
eacz other in wondering curiosity - thu
bridal party disappeared. IA&y nnoessd