LITERATURE. THE BLACK CROSS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5991, 28 July 1887, Page 1

LITERATURE. THE BLACK CROSS.

A NEW STORY. [Bt Hamilton Sbymottr/] fAnthorof "The Scarlet Cord," "Newlyn,". "The Old Grange," &o.) (Pi/AUsheH T>y Arrangement with the Author) (Concluded.) ' * Chapter XXII. WEDDING BELtS. The amount of suffering and anxiety that Richard and Violet had undergone owing to the machinations of Loyola, produced quite a revolution of feeling in their minda as regards their creed. Everything that reminded them of Fabri revolted and disgusted them. It was not likely that Richard, having freed himself from snoh a villain as Fabri, and of a syatein that practised such fearful iniquities, would remain any longer among them. He, tiieref ore, along with Violet and Prout, in order to completely disentangle themselves from the meshes netted round them, left the Roman Catholics and became faitnf ol Protestants.

In the latter part of the spring, twelve months after the tragic events of this hißtory, and on a Friday morning, great excitement prevailed in the neighbourhood of Fenthorpe and Woodhall. The tenantry and labourers of the respective manors had made gigantic preparations in the way of decorating. A Committee surely must have been formed who possessed not only the business capacity, but admirable taste. The manner in which the flags and lamps were hung, the exquisite arrangements for fireworks, and the floral decorations plainly indicated that such waa the case.

Barly in the morning, one by one, the farmers and labourers came pouring out of their houses dressed in their best Sunday garments, followed by their wives and children decked in beautiful and lightcoloured dresses— all with eager, laughing faoes. While they were passing on in crowds towards Woodhall, Prout, dressed faultlesßly, and looking .every inch the gentleman, proceeded towards Fenthorpe from Woodhall. Richard, naturally, was very excited, having scarcely slept during the night, so he looked a shade paler ; and in spite q£ the tremendous disadvantages of being prematurely almost grey with Sief, he looked happy and buoyant. He d just retired to dress when Prout entered leisurely, looking round him with evident admiration, and saying to himself.

''Bear me ! What a grand old baronial mansion this is 1 — I never thought it was bo nice. Indeed> the massive gables without and the exquisitely carved oak within look lovely, especially this old staircase," which he began ascending to get to Riohard's room; when Richard from above said, "Good morning, my dear doctor; is my sweet Violet well ? " "Yes, Richard, and supremely beautiful."

"Ah! then you are here early as 1 , the first blessed harbinger of good news ? " "Well, my dear Richard, I am early, but you know —

" I love the spring-tide morning, Those Btiu and peaceful hours. When the sunlight softly stealoth To soothe the w«eping flowoiB."

The two descended arm in aim to the breakfast-room to make the final arrangements for the day. Later on some of the well-to-do tenants came driving in their vehicles gaily bedecked and caparisoned, the men, sitting bolt upright in their stiff cravats* looking the picture of dignity and honour, while the women, with their heavily-frilled hooped petticoats, threecornered shawls, and "poked" bonnets, with wide flowing ribbons tied into gigantic bows In front, looked with all the consciousness of matronly pride and virtue. * On rolled the vehicles, passing through the thick o£ the motley crowd, followed by humbler ones hired from the adjacent town. On drove the good people, with joy and exultation depicted in tbeir smiling faces!

Cheer upon cheer rose from the gay pedestrians as the vehicle of some influential member of their community was recognised. On they drove— gfty, joyous., and free — raising a world of dust and confusion ! An hour and a half later along the same | beautifully even road, thanks to the 1 Kom&ns, there came thundering a grand new coach, with two pairs of magnificent greys and mounted postilions, followed by a dozen or so other carriages. Riohard's excitement had abated ; as he was driving along, for the realisation of the sweetest treasure man can covet, he found himself alternately calmed and troubled. Calmed, with the peace and contentment ; and troubled with the nervous throeß of Love, Joy, and paradisiacal Anticipation ! Looking out of the carriage windows he saw the long undulating line of hawthorn bushes along the road, truly indicating in floral language the emblem of Hope, opening with modest blush their pearl and piniy buda ; then the wayside woods and plantations, sheltering with pompous maternal care the modestdiffidence of daisies and buttercups and wild cowslips and crocuses. Then in the dim perspective, on the one Bide, lay the sloping hills carpeted with rich pasture, and " clothed with flooks," on the other, bounding the sloping hill, stood the old Cathedral in bold relief, and lit up by the rising sun it looked a3 if it were — 11 A mount Of alabaster, tipped with golden epireo."

Long before they reached St Peter's at Arches, which ia one of the oldest and largest churches of the Lincoln diocese, they heard the bells ringing — "Ding! Dong I Ding I Dong I The wedding bells ■ wre chiming" Friendship ana Love-in their oohoes rhyming." Unfortunately for the comfort of the bride and bridegroom they had chosen their wedding day for Friday, this being the market day in Lincoln, and the old batter market being adjacent to the church, .many of the farmers' wives and daughters, with their hoopa widely extending their already large proportions, pressed onwa r d into the church to see the wedding ceremony. Many of them had come prepared from the neighbourhood of the happy couple, otherß had joined them on only a moment's consideration. The interior of the church was beautifully decorated with the choicest flowers from 1 the best nurseries in the district. Evergreens were beautifully interwoven round appropriate texts. Every alight ornamentation to the pulpit, pews, and communion table betokened a good, unobtrusive taste. With what a firm, easy, graceful step Dr Prout led tho blushing Violet on his arm up the aisle of the churoh. Every inoh of him shot forth the consciousness of being in an enviable position — it was indeed a proud moment for the good man. Eichard followed them with the first bridesmaid, and he was looking somewhat haggard and care-worn, but very happy. The gorgeous and sublime wedding ceremony of the English Church was performed. Two minds ever contemplating the good, comfort, and happiness of each other, regardless of self, ever reverberating in unison. Two hearts pulsating for ea6h ot&er were united in the holy bonds of wedlock before the eyes of man and God I The wedding favours were distributed, congratulations offered, and amidst a shower of good wishes and good luck forcibly Impressed upon their too happy minds by the flying shots of old slippers and rice they entered their, carriage.

Cheer upon cheer, almost deafening in their intensity, greeted the happy couple as they rapidly drove off , towards Fenthorpe. By-and-bye upon the same old Roman road, looking out upon the same beautiful prospects, as they sat close to one another, trembling with joy and excitement, they heard the merry chiming of their wedding bells clearly and sweetly ringing out peal after peal. Between Fenthorpe and Woodhall arrangements had been made for an extensive display of fireworks, which promised good fun for both old and young.

All tho tenants and labourers of both, the estates were assembled at Fenthorpe for the wedding breakfast. Many of the neighbouring tradespeople were also invited.

The festive scene was a large and merry one. First came the immediate friends of Sir Richard and his charming bnde assembled in the banquet hall, where everything passed off joyfully and politely, as did also the entertainment in the servants' hall j but ifc was quit* different with those jolly people assembled in a large atone barn, which was of unusual dimensions, well decorated for the occasion.

A worthy old farmer who in his early days intended to have been a great man, but had to sacrifice his ambition for love of the bottle, had already drunk the newly-married pair's health outside, but tho good cheer provided inside made him wax eloquent, so mounting an inverted barrel, glass in hand, he somewhat unsteadily began his stump speech, and by-and-by grew enthusiastic. The enthusiasm became contagious, and soon the general cry was : — "Sir Richard! Sir Richard! where's Sir Richard. He must be present wl\ea we drink his health."

"Aye," shouted a big, soft-looking youth ; " and Miss Burnett too." Amid a general roar of laughter, the young woman by his side pulled him down. "Sit ye down, William. She is no longer a Miss, but is married, and a Missus."

" Why, bless me, Mary ! how stupid you all are ; where's th' differince 'tween them ?"

Another roar of laughter and collapse of Mary ; not being able to answer the problematical question. William rose triumphantly, and went out shouting : " where's Miss Burnett ?" followed by the would-be orator, saying — " Where's Sir Richard ?"

The rest of the company rose also, and laughing inordinately followed the two merry-making champions ; but neither' Sir Richard nor the bride could be found anywhere. High and low they searched, and called in vain for them. The guests from the banquet-hall also joined them in the cry and search, but all in vain. At last they in a body came to the front of the Blanor, where they saw Dr Prout. standing alone, handkerchief in hand, waving away most f urioußly. A sudden roar from the crowdmadc him jump up in the air with a start. All eyes were fixed on a carriage rapidly vanishing down the avenue and two handkerchiefs waving from the window. The bride and bridegroom had slipped their company, and were off for their honeymoon, Prout alone being aware of their stealthy design. Vociferous cheers and violent waving of hands and handkerchiefs responded to the parting adieu. They still gazed in the distance as if spell-bound, when Prout said : "Come along — come along, my dear friends! There is no need to be sorry. They are only away for a short time, and will coon be back. Come, enjoy t yourselves." THE END.