The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-07-28

I say" saSS
TO hnmor him she went out. leav-s
ing him staring after her alnnostlE2g
wildly "a
Only tho carriages. dearest, as
said" che told him. s4
THANK God" heEcried, and fell back NJ
white and trembling.
She called the doctor back then and As
told him that her father Insisted upon n
going to the church, and that She
Thought 1t would be risky to attempt ~
| to thwart him. He agreed and In this
way they waited Until all the rest had "
gone and the carriage was waiting
| for Olive and her father. 9
| Then he rallied his strength, rose&t
| from the couch and led Olive out But
she could feel that he was trembling b
with excitement.
All the way to the church he kept
/ Hooking out nervously from the car-S
creased so that when the reached G
the lychgate and were walking UP &
The path Olive had to half support
4 him. a
(. ",rhanls God at last" he murnnuredS
as they reached the porch. IL had to-
pause moment from weakness; and
the doctor, who was waiting there,8
4 testify. 8t3
II am better now he said with q
4 smile, as they started UP the aisle.
i The little church was packed With
people from all the district; and a mur-.l
A muir of admiration rustled among tho
congregation as Olive and her father
Iappeared, and necks We're craned ana
all heads turned to see her. q
Il Rarely lovely she looked, as with
head slightly bent she passed up to-
the altar rail, where Jack was waiting
in mingled delight, anticipation and
nervousness.
y olive herself was quite solf-poa-&
sessed; and what the onlookers miss
took for, the nervousness of bride
was really anxiety on account OF her
father. She was glad to see that he
appeared now to shake off the depres-s
sion and fear which had SO disturbed
lher; and he took his place with quiet
dignity and pleasure.
Y AS the clergyman commenced the
short and solemn exposition OF the
estate Of matrlmony and ended With
! 1.-the demand that "if any man can eheW
! any just cause why they may not e es
. lawfully Joined together, let him now
4 speak. or else hereafter forever hold
his peace" the old man lifted his head
I and looked round the building With a
! sigh OF intense relief. s5
But In that second his expression
, changed. III
woman closely yelled came quickly
up the aisle and raised her hand
= "stopl forbid the banns," she cried,
in a loud, ringing voice.
All eyes were Instantly turned upon
= her and q CULVER OF excitement moved
Q the whole congregation 3
i The interruption was SO entirely un-
n expected that for the moment the
|, clergyman himself was OF q loss what
9 to say. ss8s
: who are you. and what's the nature
$ OF your objection?" he asked at length,
81 II am Richard Parmenter's wife. and
I that Is not our child - she cried in the
Il same strong tone, as she threw back
! her veil and pointed firscoat. Olive a4l
It then at Mr.. Parmenter.
j. The eyes Of all followed her finger
Of denunciation and were fixed upor
II the old man, who shrank and tremblec
h, so violently that Olive put out her arm
It to support him.
Gray as death Itself he was, his liv1t
!. |ltps parted, as he strove for breath ant
= sought to form some reply to the accu
- sation.
- "It's-it's"--but the words would no
=, come and suddenly he clutched at hi
:. throat, gasped spasmodically for breatt
- and uttered despairing groan{3as h
slipped from Olives arm He fell Tor
= ward on his face anu lay huddled 8upo
= the altar steps.
IS AS he fell, an Involuntary exclan1a
ton broke from many Of those present
y and every man and woman In tn
y church was wrought up to a pitch q
~ intense excitement. si
4 great hush followed, as Dr.. Greg
III Dry bent over the millionalre; and \
II solemn, awe-inspiring silence. tn
to whole congregation waited. for the re
Id suit Of his examination. vi
=, = 49, q n, !, - ~