The Argosy — page 333: what you’re looking at

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

314 A Romantic Wedding. horses and ridden off, setting the bells of all the village churches a ringing as they went. “For the marriage of Sir Tudor Ap Griffith with the beautiful Ermentrude of Castell Mawr,” he explained, as he scattered gold pieces among bell ringers and sextons. And still the young bride thought within herself, ‘“‘It is a fine thing to be married.” But when her uncle returned at midday, she wondered if, after all, that golden circlet which she wore on her finger had quite transformed the world into paradise. ‘What means this, niece ?” he asked, severely. ‘‘ The church bells are set agoing everywhere, and they tell me it is for the marriage of Sir Tudor Ap Griffith and my kinswoman, Ermentrude Traherne.” ‘“‘ And so it is, uncle,” upspoke the bride. ‘‘ We were married this morning.” ‘Married, you young minx!” cried her uncle, seizing her by the arm and shaking her. ‘‘ Who taught thee to tell les to thy elders ? ” ‘““’They are not lies, for see the ring,” she cried, bravely ; believing that the sight of it would pacify her uncle. But he stamped with rage, and dragged the daantless maiden to her chamber, calling her many naughty names as they went, and threaten- ing vengeance. ‘‘‘Thou mayst imprison, but thou canst not unmarry me,” she said, when he loosened his grasp. “TY can and I will!” he cried, leaving her to her reflections, as he locked her into her solitary chamber. Then he sought the trembling Betto, and turned her unceremoniously out of his house. ‘Truly he was in a furious passion. And scarcely less furious was his son, Aubrey. He loved his cousin a little, and her broad acres more. So he made common cause with his father, and they rode off to the notaries to see what could be done. Ermentrude had plenty of time for reflection. She remained in solitary state a whole weary week. No Aunt Dorothy! No Betto! Only her uncle, followed at meal times by her aunt’s maid ; for although in durance, she was not doomed to bread and water. ‘Thou shalt be free so soon as thou promise to renounce him who has deceived thee into a sham marriage, and to take as thy affianced thy cousin Aubrey, to whom thou art betrothed.” “Tam not betrothed to Aubrey, and will not wed him,” cried Ermentrude, bravely. ‘And JI, as thy guardian, swear thou shalt not have that false Sir Tudor, who has wheedled thee forth to this sham bridal.” ‘“Heigh ho! I would I were of age,” sighed Ermentrude. But her courage did not flinch. She beguiled the time as best she might, with her pets, her embroidery, and her few books, reading with unusual persistence those of devotion. Especially did she peruse CONnMIEMOOOlKS (C(O) OE OT na EE