The Argosy — page 88: what you’re looking at

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

78 My Cousin Caroline's Wedding. Lina, and felt a dreadful suspicion of her misplaced passion for Fitz- henry. “ Never you mind, dear,” said Mrs. Dr. Cram, patting Lina on the shoulder; ‘it shall be your wedding next. Sha’n’t it, Mr. Alfred:? ” With great parade we sailed down to the equipages. But, elaborately as the procession was planned beforehand, the programme, amidst the bustle and excitement, was not strictly followed out. It often is not. The first mishap was with Fitzhenry’s carriage. The coachmen had received orders to place but a pair of horses to each carriage for church, and his appeared with four; but it was too late to remedy it now. ‘The second blunder consisted in my aunt’s being bowed by Dr. Cram into his chariot, instead of Fitzhenry, and off they started. Fitzhenry stepped into his own, and there, behold! some bungler had planted Lina. So they went next. Then followed the bride, with Sir Popper- ton, Alfred, and Mrs. Dr. Cram, the bird-of-paradise’s tail tipping out at the window to gladden the admiring spectators; and the rest of us followed anyhow, just where we could scramble. Caroline was at the altar. The Reverend Doctor, in full canonicals, faced her, book in hand, and we were all on the tiptoe of expectation to hear the first word of the service. But there seemed a strange delay I was standing quite behind, and could see nothing but the bird-of- paradise and the top of my aung’s scarlet plume. ‘What's he waiting for?” whispered I to Uncle Popperton, pulling him behind, and nodding towards old Cram. “What the deuce, boy !—would you marry her to herself? The captain is not come yet.” ‘“‘ Why, his carriage went second—next to the parson’s. Lina was in it. Is she not here?” ‘¢Can’t you see she’s not?” grumbled Sir Popperton. “It is plain enough.” I dare say it was plain enough to him, who was six feet two in stock- ings ; but I counted five feet nothing in boots. My aunt beckoned me forward. ‘‘ Edward,” she whispeftd, “ go to the door and see. ‘There is some dreadful accident, I fear; he always would drive such spirited horses.” ‘¢ But he came next to you, aunt—before the rest of us. If there had been any accident, we must have seen it.” ‘¢ Those fools of postillions of his have driven to the Catholic chapel then,” answered aunt, ina fever. ‘ Do go and see.” I made my way in haste to the Catholic chapel. Father Peter was there, waiting for the wedding, and no doubt thinking of the feast that was to follow it. He was to sit at my aunt’s night hand. But I could see no trace of Fitzhenry. The Cram footman stepped up to.me(as I: was going back. iT” J ECOMicoOOKS.CoOm