The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1907-07-30
I'VE shall be too Iatc.'
TOO late wot for:" \ "
CfIANI.-,l NNErY.-

a cUrEic1e cleared the Eatep0StS,
With Tom driving furiogsly
and Tyeth seated S,,2llg 20 his side
1T twenty past they t&cual Into Mae
quarie street. were rdt;:ing Up Hunter
street next minute. then iato George
street.-The whip whi>tline. 4 wheel Oh
the curb at every corner. pedestrians
flying and constaGIes CHALLENGING. and
SO mp Charlotte place 10 tie chur,h
The clock o. TIE :2gll clsth!.ateI
tower made il l1:234-t.s3e set II they
had waited for tie r.n= But there
we're 10 carriages outside. and Tom's
heart stepped as be saw woman
emerge and lock the church door.
"Is the marriage oveF?" he screamed
There's no marriage this morning
It's pgt OH"
"For the ring"
"No. for the bride: she never came"
"Never cane"
Bet the woman had been TotIl,ci Of
her fees. and the loss involved that Of
her temper. Better 90 10 the Pulte-
ney hotel IL you want to know more"
said she. and four wheels would hav"
locked in the mad whirl with which
Tom turned curriele and horses.
Over the ridge to 0'Connell street
A vehicle was ahead Of them at the
Pulteney. .! waiter spoke to the &C.
cupants. and II drove or without one
II them getting out. Meanwhile Tom
had seen the Fawcetts in the gaping
crowd outside. had left them on guard
over the curricle and Wyeth and him
self rushed into the hotel.
There's no wedding. The guests are
being sent away" said a waiter, stand
Ing In his path.
Where's Mr. DaintreeT'
"In the ballroom. but there's a gen
tleman"-
Tom hurried min on one side and was
in the ballroom himself next instant
Ii was d spacious saloon. the best In
Sydney at that time. and the frs
thing Tom saw was the long table with
the vista Of silver and glass leading Il
q snowclad mountain OF a wedding
cake ut the far end. The chairs wer.
empty. the table uncovered. and onis
two men were in the room, the bride
groom In his marriage garments and /
person Of equal stature In top boot
aud a pea jacket. whose face Ton
could not see. Next moment Nicholas
Harding turned his head. II was d
him Dgintree had drunk In the era,
dawn that seemed a year ago.
The ruddy hair was shot with silver
the massive face refined by suffering
lie had aged ten years In eighteen
months.
Tom went straight 10 his old enomy
turning his back on his old friend.
"You came out TO stop this marriage
slry'
Il did. II was the only way"
i congratulate you on arriving Il
time. You would have had q murdere
for your son.in.lawv'
Dnlntree gave q cry. Tom had turn
ed upon him with flashing eyes.
How do you known cried HARDIN
ia smazemsnt.
Il will tell you. This man has beel
my best friend. lie paid for my d
Tense. and I've took me away from th
iron gang. DO you know wbyT'
Il know one reason"
80 do I. bat there was another. He
been hedging matters with bis God
lie murdered BIaydes himself"
"BlsTdes"'
And Mr.. Harding rI1g 10 his hands
while DsiBtres sank Into q chair q
yellow - q guinea. but with hot ~,
balls nxed searchIngIy upon Tom.
Your pro0fsF said he bOarselj
Your proofs IN support Of this-m0I
sirUus-charge!" =
Il have clear proof IN ny pocket.
said Tom 30 Mr.. Harding ~ he bnI
toned up bis coat. Il have tIIs recsIt
gave Blaydes for bIs watch an
chain"
Dsintree sprang %. PIE was tren
bling from head to foot. but his fsl
snd his teeth we're slInched.
Thief" he Kissed. "YOu hive BIZ,
ken open my desk! saved you frol
the gslIUws. rou think yUu'il hDun
the there ~ return-you fool when 20