The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1906-01-20

and he wss just in. time to- catch tho II
o'clock express for Waterloo. On arriy-
ing at his destination, Captain Pellins
ran his eyes rapidly down the cab rank
within the station, picked ont the smart
est looking horse, sprang into the cab
and called through the trap to the driver:
"A sovereign if you reach Blshopsgate
church by twenty minutes to l2!'
The horse justified his good opinion.
and the drive was 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, not wishing to disturb the SER
vice, for he did 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 church was cold and gloomy this
miserable morning. and a few persons
were scattered here 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 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
six feet high, while the lady was also
well prOportioned.
Polling went quietly along the chancel
until he reached the end nearest to the
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, SO long as ye
both shall live?'
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
involuntarily, 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
had so unaccountably riveted her atten-
ton. Her under jaw dropped spasmod-
ically, her eyes became as fixed as those
she 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 a lgiht
overcoat was speaking quietly to the as
tonished clergyman and suggesting that
the lady should be taken to the vestry,
as she was evidently very Ill.
The scattered congregation looked at
each other in wondering curiosity as the
bridal party disappeared. They fingered
awhile until the old pew opener returned
and begged them to depart. as she desired
to close the church.
Pauline, with dull, dazed despair in
her eyes, sat in the vestry, listening to-,
without understanding, the conversation
of the three men grouped around her.
Il am extremely sorry" Polling said,
in answer to the clergyman's request for
an explanation; ''but it would have been
criminal to allow the matter to go fur
Their, for the lady is my wife,"
Your wife," echoed Jack, incredu-
lousy.
Yes, sir, my wife, Polling replied,
with the least touch of hauteur. Il
have believed her to be dead for the last
six years-in fact, believed it so thor
oughly that l should not have believed
my eyes this morning if her own conduct
had not betrayed her. 1t is possible that
she thought 1 was dead, as have been
in Central Africa for several years; and
a member has been three or four times
reported in the newspapers as complete
ly exterminated."
"And how came you to present your
self 50 OPPORTUNITY this morning." asked
the clergyman.
'"That is more than l understand my
self at present; but l think it is due to
accidental discoveries made in Spain by
friend Of mine who has gone hither
OIL business Of his own. How it happens
that l have been led to believe in my
wife's death all these years and never
found out my mistake before l cannot
understand"
mis- Mailing took her mothers name
when she inherited the estate; perhaps
that may explain matters" put in Jack.
What estate?" asked Polling sharp
ly.
1T is all too long to discuss now"
Jack answered: 'but no doubt the change
of name accounts for your ignorance Of
your wife's existence"
Ito he cOutinup.ll