The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1909-08-07

| WIS dlIdlu W toSS dSdiu, pSSduoc ShCh
if got Ned 1 might want Harry
don't you see?"
/ did not see. In fact, such vacilla-
ton was quite incomprehensible to
my well-balanced mind. but l was
obliged to devote my energies to
soothing Josephine. who again turned
her face to the Counterpart and wept
copiously.
And he's waiting on the corner by
Trinity church." she sobbed; he said
he'd wait till / came. And It's rain
ing. And he has cold. And l sim
ply can't go marry him. And he's
bought the ring. And / think Harry's
such hideous name. And he'll wait
till l come, and-and-"
Josephine suddenly sat upright and
grasped my hand.
You co." she said. you go. and
| explain things"
1t is needless to recount the argu-
ment that followed. Enough to say
that l finally agreed to go and tell
the man waiting to marry my niece
that, after all, she preferred some one
else.
Josephine produced a long, light
cloak and wrapped me in it.; she also
adorned me with large hat loaded
with plumes, because, she explained.
Harry would be looking for just that
costume. Over the hat and face she
tied thick veil, remarking that no
one could possibly tell who was in
| side it, and perhaps Harry would
marry me in spite of myself. as he
was very impatient. Then she gig
gled Historically.
Secure in the consciousness Of my
rectitude, 1 compressed my lips and
drew on my rubbers.
It was not pleasant evening. A
| fine, sleety rain fell steadily, turning
the pavements into shining sheets Of
glass, over which shufled carefully.
Trinity church is situated on side
| street entirely of the main thorough.
! fare, where it is very quiet and Sc
cluded. paused as l reached the
corner and laid my hand on my bosom.
little to the left of the breast bone.
as described in physiologes when To-
eating the heart Its throbbing was
very evident
Summoning all my fortitude, 1
looked in the direction OF the church.
There. beside the lamppost, stood a
manly form. and drawn conveniently
close to the curbing was herdic cab.
Suddenly an arm appeared about my
waist, face was pressed close to
mine, and distinctly felt the pricking
Of a mustache. l blushed beneath
the veil and was glad the street hap
pened to be dark and quiet
| l found myself gently but forclbly
propelled towards the cab, the door
of which stood invitingly open. Twice
strove to articulate, but both times
my voice failed me-
| Pm going on the box with the
! cabby," he continued, cheerfully, ito
make sure he gets the right place. It
won't do to have any mistake, you
know. Now, then. in you go"
And found myself picked UP bodily
and deposited in the cab. The door
slammed and we were off.
l was clipping.
My first impulse was to scream, but
this / resisted firmly; my second, to
draw the laprobe closer about me, and
to this yielded and resigned myself
to the inevitable. n
The cab stopped abruptly and the
cab door was flung eagerly open.
| Strange undulations travelled up and
down my spine.
We were in the chapel by this time.
and the clergyman in his robes was
waiting for us with two Witnesses
heyeryth.ng very proper and legal. AS
could not trust my voice / began
to tumble with my veil; at least !
could uncover my face.
let ne help YOU" he said, gently,
and united the knot.
l turned and faced him, and for a
moment we stared at each other as
though petrified.
1.-THE devill" he exclaimed, very
rudely, ! thought.
made a gigantic effort to speak.
my dear young friend" said in a
voice which sounded weak and au-
tomato TO my own ears, Il fear my
presence may be somewhat of dis
appointment as well as sur.
prise"
| But / got no further, for he turned
helplessly to the clergyman as though
terrified.
"Take her away" he gasped, there's
some mistake. Let me out of thisl"
But the minister lifted his hand
solemnly
There seems to be some strange
misapprehension,' he said, sternly;
"let us get to the bottom of this mat.
ter at once. Did you expect to marry
this gentleman, madam? Pray ex.
plain"
And / explained as well as / could
/ When I reached hOme-a long fime