An Interrupted Wedding, or Marion Marlowe as Maid of Honor — page 20: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

| plain it,” MY QUEEN. you would have no moral right to marry this pure woman!” Henry Fairfax sprang forward at the clergyman’s words. There was a look upon his face that baffled description; as he opened the paper, Alma bit her lips hard; then, tak- ing a step forward, she said, clearly and dis- tinctly : “Henry, darling, I am your wife! we read the paper together ? There was a moment's silence while every one stared at the bride’s fair face. It was positively radiant now in its womanly trust and affection. | Mr. Fairfax bent and kissed her and then moved a little to one side. “No, Alma!” he said, decidedly, “you shall Shall not be tortured by such an indignity. This is for me to settle. My wife is not to be. bothered.” Marion stepped forward and put her arm around Alma’s waist, while the best man and the ushers formed a half circle around them. “Don’t worry, Alma! Henry will ex- whispered Marion, cheerfully. “It can’t be so bad as not to admit of an ex- planation.” “And as soon as it 1s explain I'll punch that galoot’s face,” murmured Bert, as he glared savagely at the countenance of the intruding lawyer. “T’ll teach him to come to our wedding with his objections and in a sack coat, too— the beastly lubber!” he concluded: ° Marion had been watching the face of the groom as he read the paper, but, as Bert spoke, she glanced over the vast room in an anxious manner. The next second she gripped Bert’s arm and drew him back a little. “Look, Bert! Way back down the centre aisle! Do you see that woman in black shrinking back into that pew? That is Gladys Allyn, poor Alma’s sister!” Bert had all he could do to suppress a whistle as he followed Marion’s glance and caught a glimpse of the shrinking figure. The light in the church was dim, so he was obliged to stare.hard for a minute, then a sound from Mr. Fairfax brought him back his surroundings. SS he tried to say, smilingly, 17 The bridegroom’s face was pale, but his eyes were flashing angrily, and, as he handed the paper back to the clergyman, he said, distinctly : | “T pronounce that paper a diabolical hoax, Mr. MacPherson. I know no more of the statements it contaigs ‘than you do at this minute; therefore, | smplore you to proceed and unite us in marriage.” The clergyman looked relieved, but he was obliged to answer cautiously. “Miss Allyn must know the contents of that paper before I proceed,” he said, firmly. “Then, if she believes and accepts you, my conscience is clear in the matter.” Mr. Fairfax turned, if possible, a few shades paler, but an imploring word. from Alma’s lips made him hesitate no longer. “T will tell you of what I stand accused,” “vet I would spare you if I could, for it will only shock you, Aimar’ > ~ | “Perhaps I had better tell her,” said the clergyman, sympathetically; then, without- waiting for any consent, he turned and faced Miss Allyn. “This paper states that your affianced husband is guilty of a great sin,” he said, rapidly. ‘He is accused of ruining a young girl of fourteen, of luring her into sin and all the byways of evil and then leav-_. ing her to her fate, after he had completed her degradation.” As the clergyman finished, Alma raised her head proudly. “Who dares to accuse. my lover of such a sin?’ she asked, fiercely. “Such a thing is impossible, I will not believe it!” There was a rustle of a woman’s dress and Gladys Allvn glided up the aisle, never slack- ening her speed until she had reached the chancel steps. “T accuse him, Alma!” she said, fiercely, as she pointed-her finger straight at Fair- fax. “I swear he is the man who first led me astray! Now then, do you wish to marry the destrover of your sister ?’ CHAPTER IX. THE END OF THE SERVICE. The horror of her words seemed to freeze every one present, and for an instant Henry CONMICISOOKS.CO