Mrs. Bob: A Novel — page 131: what you’re looking at

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

ENTER MRS, BOB. 123 pered conversation with the couple desiring his ser- vices, after which he glances around, perhaps more from habit than anything else. “Let it be understood by those who are gathered here to-night that this man, Robert Pemberton, and this woman, Estelle Gordon, have come to me to be united in the holy bonds of matrimony. ‘I. can find no reason why I should not, by the power invested in me, make them man and wife. If any one present knows of any such impediment let him speak now or forever hold his peace.’? Here the usual awful pause occurs. The dominie looks at each of those present in an inquiring way, but none of them make a sign save the French lawyer, who seems very much concerned lest something in his manner may be construed into a belief that he of all men may attempt to raise a barrier before the couple, for he shakes his head in the negative with avehemence that threatens to dislocate his neck. Gypsy’s hand tightens on Bob’s arm—he moves a little and looks down into her face with what is intended as a reassuring smile. The minister begins the ceremony, which he takes very short, and presently declares them to be man and wife. : As soon as this has been spoken, Senator John steps forward to congratulate them. He kisses the bride tenderly. Bob has just had time to bend down and snatch a kiss from the lips of his charming little wife, when something occurs to attract the attention Connicooolkks.€o©) im