The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1913-05-28

we'll to follow them, when up the
lane came a neat little landau, the
coachman with his coat half button
ed, while all the tags of his harness
were sticking out Of the buckles. 1t
hadn't pulled up before she shot out
of the hall door into it. only caught
a glimpse of her at the moment, but
she was lovely woman, with face
that man might die for.
The Church of st. Monica, John,
she cried; and half a sovereign if you
reach it in twenty minutes
This was quite too good to lose,
Watson. was just balancing wheth-
er ! should run for it, or whether I
should perch behind her landau,
when a cab came through the street.
The driver looked twice at such a
shabby fare; but I jumped in
before he could object. The
Church of st. Monica said I, and
half a sovereign if you reach it in
twenty minutes 1t was twenty-five
minutes to twelve, and of course it
was clear enough what was in the
wind.
t4My cabby drove fast. I don't
think ever drove faster, but the
others were there before us. The
cab and landau with their steaming
horses were in front of the door
when I arrived. I paid the man, and
hurried into the church. There was
not soul there save the two whom /
had followed, and a surpliced clergy
man, who seemed to be expostulating
with them. They were all three
standing in knot in front Of the
altar. I lounged up the side aisle
like any other idler who has dropped
into church. Suddenly to my sur
prise, the three at the altar faced
round to me, and Godfrey Norton
came running as hard as he could to-
wards me.
Thank Cod!' he cried. You'll
do. Come! Comet
"'What then?' I asked.
"'Come, man, come; only three
minutes, or it won't be legal
81 was half dragged up to the
altar, and, before I knew where !
was, I found myself mumbling re-
sponses which were whispered in my
ear, and vouching for thing Of which
! knew nothing, and generally assist
ing in the secure tying up Of Irene
Adler, spinster, to Godfrey Norton,
bachelor. It was all done in an in
slant, and there was the gentleman
thanking me on the one side and the
lady on the other, while the clergy
man beamed on me in front. 1t was
the most preposterous position in
which I ever found myself in my
life, and it was the thought Of it
that started me laughing just now.
1t seems that there had been some
informality about their license; that
the clergyman absolutely refused to
marry them without witness of
some sort, and that my lucky appear
ance saved the bridegroom from hav-
ing to sally out into the streets in
search Of a best man. The bride
gave me a sovereign, and mean to
wear it on my watch chain in mem
ory of the occasion"
.'This is a very unexpected turn OF
affairs" said 1; land what them"
"Well, found my plans were very
seriously menaced. 1t looked as if
the pair might take an immediate de-
parture, and so necessitate very
prompt and energetic measures on
my part. At the church door, how
ever, they separated, he driving back
to the Temple, and she to her OWL
house. 4 shall drive out in the park
at five as usual she said, as she left
him. ] heard no more. They drove
away in different directions, and
went off to make my own arrange
ments''
(Which are?"
"Some cold beef and glass OF
beer" he answered, ringing the bell
81 have been too busy to think OF
food, and am likely to be buster this
evening. BY the way, doctor, shall
want your cooperation"
'I shall be delighted"
"You don't mind breaking the
law"
'tNot in the least"
'Nor running a chance of arrest?'
"Not in a good cause"
'Oh, the cause is excellent"
"Then am your man"
"I was sure that I might rely on
you"
sBut what is it you wish?"
@tWhen Mrs. Turner has brought in
the tray 7 will make it clear to you
Now" he said, as he turned hungri-
ly on the simple fare that our land
lady had provided, II must discuss it
while I eat, for I have not much time,
It is nearly five now. In two hours
we raust be on the scene of action.
Miss Irene, or Madame, rather re-
turns from her drive at seven. We
must be at Briony Lodge to meet
her"
"And what them"
"You must leave that to me. have
already arranged what is to occur.
There is only one point on which I
must insist. You must not inter-
fere, come what may. You under
stand?"
81 am to he neutral?"
''To do nothing whatever. There
will probably be some small unpleas-
antness. Do not join in it. It will
end in my being conveyed into the
house. Four or five minutes after
wards the sitting-room window will
be open. You are to station yourself
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