Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1911-02-10
CHAPTER XI.
Who Giveth This Woman?


Woman is Il miracle Of divine contra
dictiOns.-JuIeS MiChcIet.
On my return to my quarters at
Browns hotel I looked at the top of
my bureau. 1t was empty. My friend
cambridge had proved faithful. The
slipper of the baroness was gone! So
now, hurriedly, | began my toilet for
that occasion which to any gentleman
should be the one most eXacting, the
most important of his life's events.
Elizabeth deserved better than this
unseemly haste. Her sweetness and
dignity, her adherence to the forms of
life, her acquaintance with the ele-
gancies, the dignities II conventions
of the best Of our society, bespoke for
her ceremony more suited 20 her class
and mine.
l told none about my quarters any
thing OF my plans, but arranged for
my p-0Ttmanteaus 10 be sem to the
railway station for that evenings train
north. / hurried to the Bonds jewelry
place and secured a ring-twO sizes,
indeed; for, in our haste, betrothal
n wedding ring needed their first
use at the same day and hour. l found
a waiting carriage which served my
purpose, and into it l flung, urging the
driver to carry me at top speed nto
Elmhurst road.
AS we swung down the road l
leaned forward, studying with inter
est the dust cloud of an approaching
carriage. AS it came near l called to
my driver. The two vehicles paused
almost wheel to wheel. 1t was my
friend Jack cambridge who sprawled
on the real seat of the carriage! That
is to say, the feshy portion of Jack
cambridge. His mind, his memory,
and all else, were gone.
l sprang into his carriage and
caught him roughly by the arm. l felt
in all his pockets, looked on the car
riage floor, Oh the seat, and pulled
up the dust rug. At last | found the
license.
Did you see the baroness" 1 asked,
then.
At this he beamed upon ME with a
wide smile.
'Di u" said he. with gravity pull
ing down his long buff waistcoat. Did
l? Mos admi'ble woman in all the
worl'! OF course. Miss 'Liz'beth
Churchill also mos admi'ble woman in
the worI," he added politely, but 1
didn't see her"
The sudden sweat broke out upon
my forehead. Tell me, what have
you one with the slipper?"
He shook his head sadly. "Mishta-
KEN, my friend! l gave mo admi'ble
slipper in the WORT, just ash you said.
just as baroness said, to Mish Eliza
beth ChurChill-mos' admi'ble woman
in the WORT"
Did you see herr" l gasped. Did
you see her father-any of her fami-
ly?"
God blesh me-, MOI" rejoined this
young statesman. Feelings deIicacy
prevented. Washn't in fit condition to
approach family mansion. AIwaysh
mos delicate. Sent packazh in by
servant, from gate-turned> round
drove off-found you"
My only answer was to spring from
his carriage into my own and to order
my driver to go on at a run. At last
I reached the driveway of Elmhurst,
my carriage wheels cutting the gravel
as we galloped up to the front door.
My approach was noted. Even as l
hurried up the steps the tall form of
none other than MI. Daniel Churchill
appeared to greet me. 1 extended my
hand. He did not notice it. l began
to speak. He babe nj pause.
ITO what may I attribute this visit,
Mr.. Trist?" he asked me. with dignity.
"Since o ask me, and seem not to
know" l replied, Il may say that l am
here to marry your daughter, Miss
Elizabeth! 1 presume that the min
lister of the gospel is already here?"
The minister is here" be answered.