Part 14 (1/2)

”I should say not. Mr. Van Truder is mine.”

”By George, I don't understand--”

”Never mind, Jim, break into the church and let's have it over with.

It's going to rain again.”

”Oh, I'm so tired,” moaned the poor bride, mud-spattered, wet, and very far from being the spick and span young woman that fas.h.i.+onable society knew and loved.

”By Jove!” came suddenly from the darkness, startling the entire party--a masculine voice full of surprise and--yes, consternation. Then there strode into the circle of light a tall figure in a s.h.i.+mmering mackintosh, closely followed by a young, resolute woman.

”Windoms.h.i.+re!” gasped Dauntless, leaping in front of Eleanor, prepared to defend her with his life.

”Miss Courtenay, too,” murmured Eleanor, peeking under his arm.

”Yes, by Jove,” announced the hara.s.sed Englishman, at bay,--”Windoms.h.i.+re and Miss Courtenay.” There was a long silence--a tableau, in fact. ”Well, why doesn't some one say something? You've got us, don't you know.”

Eleanor Thursdale was the first to find words. She was faint with humiliation, but strong with the new resolve. Coming forth from behind Dauntless, she presented herself before the man her mother had chosen.

”So you have found me out, Mr. Windoms.h.i.+re,” she said pleadingly, a wry little smile on her lips. ”You know all about it?”

”I--er--by Jove, this is quite beyond me. Found you out? My word, you don't mean to say--”

”I say, old man,” said Dauntless, manfully, ”let me explain. We've always loved each other. It isn't that she--”

”Hang it all, man, I knew that,” expostulated Windoms.h.i.+re. ”It was a mistake all around. I love Anne, don't you know. There's no real harm done, I'm sure. But what puzzles me is this: why does Miss Thursdale persist in pursuing us if she loves you and doesn't care to marry me?”

”The deuce! I like that,” cried Dauntless. ”You'd better begin by asking questions at home.”

”I take it,” interposed Mr. Derby, with rare tact and discernment, ”that both of you expect to be married, but not to each other as originally planned.” Both Eleanor and Windoms.h.i.+re signified eager affirmation in more ways than one. ”Then it seems to me a simple case of coincidence, which may be explained later on. Why discuss it now? I am in reality a minister, Miss Courtenay, and I am here to unite Miss Thursdale and Mr. Dauntless in the holy bonds of matrimony. I trust we may expect no interference on the part of Mr. Windoms.h.i.+re?”

”Good Lord! No!” almost shouted Windoms.h.i.+re, clasping Anne's hand in a mighty grasp. ”That's what we are here for ourselves--to be married--but the d.a.m.ned parson has deceived us.” Jim Carpenter came out of his trance at this. ”Say, are you the fellow Rev. Smith was to marry? Well, he won't be here. There's a surprise pound party at his house and the whole town is there. He couldn't leave to save his soul.

It's the way he gets his living.”

”Oh, Anne!” cried Windoms.h.i.+re, in real despair.