Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-02-28

YOR
they may not lawfully be Joined
together, let him now speak, oil
else hereafter forever hold his peace
The clergyman made 4 longer pause
than he had ever made before at thai
place. But no one spoke.
Gilbert Sem bowed his head little
lower than he had held it before. Elsie
Barron, soon to be Elsie Barron nc
more forever could be heard weeping
softly behind her thick, black veil, as
the gale outside half ceased-as though
the very elements were listening for a
righteous interruption. Elsie's father
grew paler, if possible, but what could
he say more than he had said already?
Elsie's friend sat listening eXpectantly
but she said nothing; what was there
| for her to say at time like this?
Mr. Prer said nothing: he was like the
rest in that But, if he had only spoken
his thoughts aloud, I think the Rev.
John Kane would have sent Elsie Bar
ron home, Elsie Barron still. These
were the unvoiced thoughts which stood
just behind his firm lips, waiting for
the tongue which made no sign: "Or
else hereafter for ever hold his peace"
this man TO the authorities, not for q
paltry robbery. but for an atrocious
and pitiless murder. Little by little,
link by link, | am going TO weave the
chains OF proof about him. shall con-
vict him. shall use money and influ-
ence at the beginning Of every road
which might lead to freedom for him.;
I shall watch at every door where he
might find pity and mercy; shall be
sleeplesS and tireless; l shall merit
success, merit it through courage and
energy, and l shall win it. And so,
one day. this man will look up into the
blue sky through closely fitting moose
look up for the last time: they Will
draw the black cap down over his eyes;
and then-and then"
The clergyman was speaking again.
MI Prier would not have put his words
into audible language, but if he had in
tended. for moment, to do that, it was
now too late.
wilt thou have this woman to be
thy welded wife, to live together after
Gods ordinance in the holy estate OF
matrimony? Wilt thou love her, COM
fort her honor, and keep her in sick
ness and in health: and, forsaking all
others. keep thee only unto her, so long
as We both shall live?"
Elsie Barron raised her veil with q
sudden motion which was full Of grace
and dignity. Pale and fearful, she had
never been 50 lovely in all her life be-
fore. 1t may be possible that she had
had a half formed hope that the sight
of her suffering face would move Gill
bert Sem to pity, and so save her. II
she had such a hope, if she had cher
ished such q dream, she lost. Sem
drew back; the agony in his face deep
ened in intensity; the tears stood In his
eyes. Why? Can you not make rea-
sonable guess at the reason? She was
A beautiful woman-a radiantly beau
tiful misunderstanding there in the
lamplight, a sort Of comb, ending in an
old fashioned cross, set with pearls,
looking as though it might have been
an heirloom in the family for genera
tions, thrust carelessly into her hair,
her only ornament.
Il WILL" said Gilbert Sem, his voice
hoarse and harsh. And if there was
any mental reservation in his marriage
with this woman. let us not now inquire
too closely.
The ceremony was soon over. j. B.
Prier signed his name in the register
as a witness, and hurried out upon the
stone steps; the church seemed so close
and hot that he was almost stifled; he
almost wished he had spoken. I'll be
blamed if don't hang somebody" he
muttered.
The other witness. Elsie's companion
and friend. was more leisurely than the
detective had been. Indeed she had
scarcely got her glove off by the time
Mr.. Prier was outside in the wind and
storm. She signed with care. "Lur-
line Bannottie" looked very well, in
deed. when she was done, though the
cross to the is and the dots for the is
were made a little spitefully, not to say
viciOusly It's just as WE'LL she
said, thoughtfully to herself, but was
thoughtlesS enough Gf I've used the
right word) to leave her self-addressed
statement unfinished.
You will take me home-that is, to
my fathers home-I presume, MT.
Sem. until you have-have-have com
pleted the necessary business with my
father" asked Elsie.
Certainly" answered Sem.
They waited little for the carriages.
some of them standing just outside,
and others just within, the church.
1t was a strange group.
Prier stoop just outside, vigorously
chewing a cigar which he had forgot
ten TO light. Sem had moved close up
to him. as though there was something
of safety there. and more comfort in
that silent cOmpanionship than could
be found elsewhere.
Donald Barron and his daughter
stood inside, the old man leaning heaV-
lily and feebly upon her. They seemed
to have forgotten the presence OF any
others.
The clergyman, not far away, tried to
think Of something appropriate to say
to Miss Bannottie. He had the reputa-
ton Of being a gifted conversationallst'
| | believe some one classes silence as
strong feature in the character of
man who would rank as a great CONVEX
ser: if that be correct, the fame when
the Rev. John Kane enjoyed was un-
doubtedly his due; he could think or
nothing appropriate to say; he said
nothing.