The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1912-05-16
A Wedding De Luxe

SSASsAAA6 ~ AOAV
Nothing can ever part us now"
whispered Lord Jocelyn to his hancee,
Mary Davenant, as they stood in the
marriage license bureau at the City
Hall, New York.
AS he spoke he was folding away a
paper in his pocket. 1t was their H.
cense, by virtue of which an imposing
wedding was to be celebrated on the
morrow noon at st. Georges church,
Gramercy square.
IF only we could go of together
and be married privately" sighed
Mary Davenant. How l hate the
thought of the PUBLICITY"
"It's part Of the penalty that n
pays for ones title," said Jocelyn.
Look at that Italian couple, now,
who are just receiving their license.
They can go off to their priest and be
made n in the presence Of a single
witness, whereas We"
Don't you believe him, lady," in
terposed a bluff, jovial-looking man
who was standing e the entrance.
Those folks will have the SWEETEST
wedding on the East Side tomorrow.
I says it and I ought to know, seeing
as I'm the alderman for their district.
Why, they wouldn't think a marriage
was hardly legal unless there was
half a hundred guests and flowers and
wines. But" he bent down and low
cred his voice-"if you say the word,
Mister, I'll hitch you up myself OF the.
spot. Links my name, Alderman
Link, and that's one of my chief Jobs,
marrying folks"
"Oh, If we dared" said Mary Dave
nant.
II haven't courage enough for that"
sighed Jocelyn. What would the
governor say when he learned that his
son had sneaked off to be married like
a thief? Besides, wouldn't it be like
running away in face of danger?"
Danger, Richard?" said Mary re-
proachfully.
II mean running into temptation"
corrected Jocelyn, smiling down at
his fiancee.
Mary Davenant placed her hand on
his arm and they went out Of the
City Hall together, preceded by the
Italian couple. All four were radiant
~ happy-so happy, in fact, that
their purpose was guessed by the
hack driver who came slowly up to
them as they emerged upon Park
Row.
Drive you to the church?" he vol
unteered to Jocelyn. "Sure, an it's
the foine couple Yell make. It'd be
a pleasure to do it fer nothing and
trust yer Honor's generosity" he said,
emitting as he spoke a distinctive
odor of alcohol.
mo, thanks. But I tell you what
you shall do" said Jocelyn, beaming
on him. "You shall drive me to st.
Georges church tomorrow"
"That I will, yer honor" said the
man. "WhereW I call?"
Lord Jocelyn gave him the address
of his abode on Madison avenue and
instructed him to be there at half
past eleven promptly on the next
morning, at the same time handing
him a two-dollar bill in earnest Of his
sincerity. Then he departed, with
Mary on his arm, while the driver
called embarrassing and alcoholic
benedictions after them.
Lord J%ocelyn's guest at dinner that
night was his friend, Jack Stanfield,
his best man to be-, and the two, re-
hearsed their plans for the ceremony.
Jocelyn was to await his friend in his
apartment and to proceed with him
to the church, where the rest Of the
party would be assembled. At eight
o'clock on the morrow he was already
beginning to dress, and experienced
the usual complications Of the bride.
groom. First, he discovered that he
had packed his toothbrushes In the
suitcase which he had sent on ahead
to Richmond, where the first days OF
the honeymoon were to be passed,
Then came trouble with his shirt,
With trembling fingers he essayed to
.fasten it; then lost his collar and
sleeve buttons and hunted for them
under the bureau until he arose, tri.
umphant, but perspiring, and with his
white shirt irretrievably soiled. Some
one was hammering in the apartment
next door. Jocelyn listened; it was
his heart that beat. At eleven-f1fteen,
after three hours and more spent in
performing the simplest necessities OF
making his toilet, he emerged at last
Into his sitting room. triumphant, but
trembling like a hunted criminal
And as he lay back, breathless, in his
arm chair, smoking furiously. and
listening with terror for the peal al
his bell which should announce the
arrival Of his best man. his resem
blance to some hunted fugitive in
creased momentarily.
IT Talbot were only here!" he
Broaned, thinking Of the servant who
had been his main reliance against
the chances of fortune. But Talbot
had gone homo to England to prepare
Doublewith Manor for its heir and
his bride, and he was absolutely alone
He poured out a stir glass o.
brandy and swallowed the burning
tduid without a qualm. Then he sal
as one in q trance. watching the slow
loncreeping Of the hands Of the clock
mlo,>.<->o$ vAv>-anA aff1l m aton