An Interrupted Wedding, or Marion Marlowe as Maid of Honor — page 21: what you’re looking at

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

18 Fairfax had hard work to keep from spring- ing at the woman and expressing in forceful deeds his indignation at her statement. There was a hurried consultation between the clergyman and Dr. Brookes and then the young physician put his hand upon the bridegroom’s shouldér “Keep cool, old man! We'll fix it in a minute!” he said, softly. “Go into the ves- try room and take the ladies with you. Your best man and ushers will deal with this prob- lem.” “If she were only a man,” muttered Fair- fax, glaring at Gladys, “but I guess you are right, doc! I will do as you tell me!” . He offered his arm to Alma, who accepted it instantly, then Bert took Marion under his wing, while Mr. Ray brought the two bridesmaids. A moment later every man in the party was back at the altar rail, but Gladys had disappeared, and so had one of the detectives. * “You.can’t blame me if it isn't true,” lawyer was saying, excitedly. ‘You have her deposition, and this man is her witness. He has known Fairfax for years, and he corroborates her statements.” t The man at his side nodded his head a little sheepishly. He was a coarse, silly looking fellow, and as Fairfax stared at him he suddenly recognized him. : “So you are on my track, are you, Barnes?” he said, with a’ sneer. “Well, I might have known that it was some one like you. I suppose you are trying to get square with me for putting you in prison.” The fellow’s face flushed crimson, but he did not reply, and Mr. Fairfax turned to his friends with a word of explanation. “He used to be a sneak thief, and I sent him up. This is one of my rewards for do- ing my duty as a detective.” “There’s*nothing more for you to remain for, sir,” said the clergyman, looking straight at the lawyer. ‘“‘You have accom- plished your end and interrupted the wed- ding, but I do not think it is within your power to prevent it altogether.” | “T should say not!” exclaimed Fairfax, with a shrug of the shoulders. “We shall he married, Alma and I, as soon as we cam make her sister retract that statement!” the MY QUEEN. “Bosh! I wouldn't wait for that! We all know it’s a lie!” exclaimed Bert, stoutly. “Of course, the minister here couldn't do any different, but he'll marry you to-morrow all right, won’t you, Mr. MacPherson ?” Bert let his hand drop on the minister’s back through very excess of emotion, and while the caress was not a familiar one to the reverend gentleman, he was too good-na- tured to show resentment. ‘ “I will certainly marry them as soon as the woman's story is disposed of,” he said, promptly. “It seems incredible that a 8is- ter should trump up such a tale. I assure you, if she is falsifying, I trust that she will be punished.” “She'd get it in the neck if I had my say,” growled Bert, but Henry hae only shook’ his head, sadly. * “T must not forget that she is Alma’s sis- er,’ he said, slowly. “I must be merciful in my dealings, but it is hard, I can tell you! It drives me mad when I think how my poor Alma has suffered.” The church had been slowly emptied, as the group at the altar rail talked, and as the two strangers shuffled out the second detec- tive followed them, after an seis of signals with Mr. Fairfax. When the others repaired to the vestry room they found the ladies waiting anxious- ly. Alma was as white as a ghost, oa her spirit had not forsaken her. “Of, course, I knew she would do some- thing awful, but who ever dreamed of her - doing that!” she cried, angrily. “Really, I cannot help saying that I thoroughly despise her, and yet I know she has become what she is through the influence of others.” “Well, she don’t need to be laying her sins to Henry’s door,” muttered Bert. “But Jiminy Christmas! Ain't she the champion liar! Why, to look at her face when she said it, one would almost believe her!” “Well, I didn’t believe her a little bit!” exclaimed Miss Allyn, as she glanced lov- ingly at Fairfax. “The angels in heaven couldn't make me believe Henry was guilty, not if they whispered their tales in my ears in a thousand different tongues !” “Oh, Alma! I do admire your faith O° ’ \ h , CVor > much,” cried farion, happily. be ~ com — « ,