Jack the Englishman

by H. Louisa Bedford

"But Eva might have found someone else to marry by that time," he suggested.

"Oh, of course if she did it would be all right, and she would not want me," said Jack, nonchalantly, in no way affected at the thought of the loss of his ladylove. "She has cheered up a bit since Aunt Betty has consented to her being bridesmaid, although she's not to be dressed up fine, just a new white frock and a white muslin hat, she says."

Then Aunt Betty's voice, ringing down the paddock, called them both in to supper.

The little church was full to overflowing on the morrow, for quick as had been the final choice of the wedding day the rumour of it had spread like fire through the township, and loving hands had been busy on the previous afternoon, decorating the tiny sanctuary with Madonna lilies and other white flowers for the double service. And all had been carried through so quickly and quietly that no one at the farm knew anything of it.

It was only a handful of candidates that were presented for Confirmation, not more than a score, but of those it may be said that the present Vicar had spent much time and prayer on their preparation. The candidates were ranged in the front seats, and quite at the back of the church was seated the party from the farm, with Clarissa and Eva, and the intervening benches were filled with neighbours from the township. The only one who had come from a distance was Jessie Butler, who hearing that her friend of earlier years was to be confirmed, and remembering his presence at her own confirmation, had come to stay a night or two with someone in Wallaroo on purpose to be present when Jack was confirmed.

The congregation rose simultaneously to its feet as the Bishop, preceded by the Vicar, appeared from the tiny vestry, and the service began with a hymn, during the singing of which the rather unusual sound of a motor driving at full speed and brought to a sudden standstill outside the open door of the little church, fell upon Betty's ear. Could it be the sudden arrival of a belated candidate. But creeping quietly into the church, her glad eyes recognised Jack's father, standing hesitatingly in the doorway. He had motored all the way from Launceston to be present at his son's Confirmation, and Mr. Treherne, with a quick movement, motioned him to Betty's side. It was the one presence she and Jack needed to make the day perfect in their eyes. And a great joy and thankfulness filled the elder Jack's heart, as he recognised his tall boy standing at the head of the row of boy candidates, and heard his emphatic promise to renew his baptismal promises and serve God manfully for the rest of his life, and when it came to Jack's turn to kneel before the Bishop and receive the laying on of hands, Betty's hand sought for a moment that of her brother-in-law, and together they sank upon their knees and prayed very fervently for God's blessing on the head of the boy who was almost equally dear to both of them.

The Bishop's charge was a very simple one, but the earnest words could scarcely fail to reach the hearts of all who listened to them, and a reverent hush fell on the congregation as he pronounced the blessing. And then there was a pause for those who wished to leave the church, but not one stirred from his place. They waited for what was to follow. Then Tom, with a glance at Betty, moved to the chancel steps to be followed immediately by Betty, leaning on her father's arm, while little Eva with round wondering eyes took her place behind, and forthwith the wedding service proceeded. Jack's father, meanwhile, had walked up the church and taken his own place by his son.

Then, in low clear voices, fully audible to all present, Tom and Betty spoke out their promises to be true and loyal to each other as long as life should last. There were those in the congregation who beforehand had grumbled that such an unusual event as a wedding should be carried through in what they were pleased to call such a hole-and-corner fashion, but criticism vanished when the simply attired bride came down the church upon her husband's arm. All felt the bright-faced bride was in her right setting.

The Bishop, after shaking hands with the wedding couple, had to hurry off for another function, and then the wedding party walked quietly back to the farm, where a meal, laid in readiness beforehand, awaited them. Jack sat by his father and Tom and Betty were placed in the centre of the table. Just at the end of the meal, Mr. Treherne rose to his feet.

"God bless my girl, as good a daughter as ever stepped, and God bless the man she has married," was all he said, and Betty turned and kissed him.