ckering of the lamps
caused strange shadows to flit over it. There was a moment of utter
silence, broken only by the howling of the wind outside.

Then slowly the minister's voice broke the terrible silence by uttering
the words: "Then I pronounce you man and wife, and whom God hath joined
together let no man put asunder."

As the last word echoed through the dim old church the cold steel of a
revolver, which had been pressed steadily to the girl's throbbing heart
by the hand of the bridegroom, concealed by her long cloak, was quickly
withdrawn.

"My wedded wife!" murmured the man, and in his voice there was a tone of
mocking triumph. The girl swooned in his arms, but, turning quickly with
her, he hurried forward into the dense shadows of the church, carrying
her to the coach in waiting without attracting attention.

He could scarcely restrain himself from shouting aloud, so exuberant
were his spirits.

"Rave. Do whatever you like. You cannot change matters now. I am your
husband, ay, the husband of a girl worth a million of money. When we are
out of hearing of the old parson I will give three rousing cheers to
celebrate the occasion and give vent to my triumph--ay, three cheers and
a tiger with a will and a vengeance."

The appearance of his friend, who had remained behind to adjust the
little matters that needed attention, put a stop to his hilarity for the
moment.

"Well, what's next on the programme? What do you suggest now, Halloran?"
he exclaimed, as that individual sprang into the coach and took his seat
with chattering teeth.

"I propose that you drive to the nearest inn or hostelry, or whatever
they choose to call it hereabouts. I understand there is one some five
miles from here, and, indeed, the horses won't last much longer than
that."

"I'm governed by your advice," replied his companion, with a hilarious
laugh. "Give the order to get to the hostelry as soon as the driver can
make it. Anything will suit me. I'm not proud, even if I have made a
cool million in an hour's time. Ha! ha! ha!"

"Are you mad?" whispered his companion, giving him a violent nudge.

"Bah! You needn't fear that she will hear what I'm saying. The puny
little dear has swooned again. Didn't you notice that I had to fairly
carry her from the altar?"

"These dainty little heiresses have to be handled with kid gloves,"
remarked Halloran. "Fainting when anything goes wrong seems to be their
especial weakness."

"She will so