Under Lock and Key; or, Marion Marlowe's Last Role — page 26: what you’re looking at

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

~ Marion’s father was so appalled at the thought of walking down the aisle with Mar- jon on his arm, that he declared he would never do it. He stuck to his resolution, too, so the matter ended by Mr. Canfield offering to act instead. _ The hour for the ceremony had now ar- rived, and the wedding party, with the excep- tion of Dr. Brookes and Bert Jackson, was assembled in the entrance to the church. ~ Marion was looking radiant in a dress of point lace over white chiffon. The veil matched the gown and was arranged in coro- net effect, with a wreath of artificial orange blossoms. Her bouquet was made up of lilies of the valley and white orchids, with a shower effect of narrow satin streamers. _ On the left of her corsage a large diamond star sparkled. This was Dr. Brookes’ gift to his bride. She was looking forward at the crowded church, eager only for the service to begin, and yet at that moment, Dr. Brookes and Bert Jackson were in the most awkward kind of a predicament at the rear of the church. They had but a minute before reached the rear door, intending to enter the church that Dr. Brookes, hurriedly grasping the knob, turned it, but the door did not yield to his ‘pressure. Turning his head, he stared blankly at Bert. : “Ts it locked?” gasped Bert, too astonish@d at first to think what to do. “Ves,” answered the doctor, “it’s locked. Hold on, we'll see if we can make any one inside come to the door,” and with that he _ rapped briskly. _. They waited a minute or two, but there was no response. , ~ Then Dr. Brookes rapped louder. Still there was no response. “What’s the matter with them in there?” cried Bert, commencing to get impatient. “Are they all asleep, 1 wonder?” _ “You've got me,” responded the doctor, nervously. “What can that fool of a sex- ton mean by locking us out,” and he rattled the door viciously and banged on it once more. After another period of suspense, in which they both waited in vain for some one to open the door for them, Dr. Brookes wheeled around and grasped Bert by the arm. _ “Yhere’s nothing for it, old fellow, but to ‘brave the whole crowd. We must enter by the front door.” _ “What!” cried Bert, “and file down——” _ “Yes, yes—hurry—it’s the only way,” and the doctor fairly dragged Bert to the en- trance, . _ It was now high time the service com- “= . ing | MY QUEEN. menced and the organist was looking anx- iously for the appearance of the clergyman and the groom. A ery of surprise burst from Marion as ' Dr. Brookes strode up to the door, followed by Bert, and, for an instant, a shadow of anxiety crossed her face. This disappeared the next moment, how- ever, when Dr. Brookes explained his sud- den appearance to her. | Then opening the door, the groom and his best man walked over to a side aisle and passed down toward the door of the vestry room. Their tall, manly figures instantly attracted attention, and when it was discovered who the doctor was, a buzz of conversation swept over the church, causing Dr. Brookes to swear eternal vengeance on the man who locked the side door. This was all forgotten, though, the next moment, for the signal had been quickly given to the organist, and before the doctor or Bert had time to make any inquiries, the notes of the famous wedding march from *Lohen- grin” burst forth. The rear doors swung open, and Marion, showing her happiness in every line of her face, appeared on the arm of Mr. Canfield, while all in the big auditorium rose to their feet and awaited the bridal party. At the same instant the vestry-room doors opened, and three figures emerged, and walked quick- ly to the chancel steps. They were the officiating clergyman, Dr. Brookes and Bert Jackson. : And now tite music was hushed Rd the solemn words of the marriage service were the only sounds that could be heard. To Marion, it all seemed like a delightful ‘dream, and her eyes were swimming as she bent them on those of her lover, and declared, with her whole soul in her words, “I will,” to the clergyman’s question if she “would have this man to be her wedded husband.” Then it was all over, and she was called back to herself by the silence which followed the clergyman’s last words. “My wife,” whispered Dr. Brookes, ten- derly, as he turned and placed her hand in his arm. She looked up at him and smiled brightly, as he led her down the chancel steps. Mendelssohn’s glorious wedding march had begun and the couple passed down be- tween the rows of smiling faces. Marion's face was smiling, too, and she never looked prettier or more winning than she did at that moment. Then the outer door was reached, a wrap was thrown about her shoulders, she was bundled into a carriage, followed by Dr. Brookes. The door was snapped, and off COMICHOOKS. ECO