* * * * *
A fortnight later the Sydney Evening Times had the following paragraph in its column of social news—
“St. Clement’s Church, Church Hill, Sydney, was yesterday the scene of a very pretty wedding, the occasion being the marriage of Miss Bertha Summerhayes, a popular Sydney belle, and Mr. Alexander Booth, the well-known sportsman, and owner of the winner of the last Sydney Cup. The church had been very prettily decorated by the friends of the bride, wreaths of waratah and rock lilies being used with great effect. A miniature avenue of tree ferns led from the gateway to the church entrance, and wild flowers were not only used in the profuse decoration, but were also scattered as a carpet for the happy pair. The bride was married from the residence of her old friend Professor Norris, the eminent and well-known specialist in character reading.
“Punctually at half-past two the entrancing sound of the march from Tannhäuser on the organ announced the arrival of the carriages with the bridal party. The bride was attired in a lovely gown of green peau-de-soie, with berthe of old Brussels bone-point lace also cream in tint, the corsage adorned with orange flowers.
“She carried an exquisite bouquet of white lilies and maiden-hair ferns, and over all fell a soft tulle veil in graceful folds to the ground. A magnificent diamond bracelet, the gift of the bridegroom, was her only jewel. Miss Ruby Jones, a friend of the bride, was maid of honour, and wore a toilette of old gold silk, with gloves and shoes to match; she wore a richly-chased gold bangle, a present from the bridegroom, and also carried a bouquet of lilies and ferns. Miss Florrie Simpson, the second bridesmaid, was likewise attired in old gold silk, and she carried a duplicate bangle and bouquet. The whole effect of colour was a delicious harmony of cream and gold.
“Mr. Booth was attended by Mr. Jenkins, the well-known and popular host of the Golden Bar. After the ceremony, which was performed by the Rev. A. A. Softword, the bridal party left the church to the strains of the grand march of Mendelssohn, ably played by that eminent organist, Mr. Treadfast, and adjourned to the residence of Mr. Norris. Here a sumptuous breakfast was prepared, and the house made a little fairyland with palms and tropical foliage.
“After the health of the bride and bridegroom had been duly honoured, Mr. and Mrs. Booth left amidst a shower of rice and rose-leaves on their tour through the Blue Mountain district. The bride wore a fashionable Newmarket walking gown, tailor made, of a light fawn tint, with sunshade and hat en suite. The presents were costly and too numerous to give in detail. One exception must be made in favour of a wonderful and rare piece of art, a stirrup-cup in chased gold and enamel, of Viennese workmanship, a present to the bridal pair from the members of the A.J.C.”
CHAPTER XXVI
UP TO DATE AGAIN-DARLINGHURST GAOL
After the magisterial decision Bertha was removed to Darlinghurst Gaol. Her appearance at the Police Court was merely formal, and she was there committed to take her trial at the ensuing Quarter Sessions. Bail was not allowed, and only the daily visit of Professor Norris broke the monotony of the following days.
The best legal talent available had been secured on her behalf, and the most skilled Sydney detective was employed, and money was used unsparingly to unravel the mystery in her defence; but no progress had been made. On the other hand, the prosecution, who were no less busy in seeking for corroborative evidence, were utterly at fault. Her past history had been raked up, all her acquaintances interrogated for a clue that would indicate a secret intrigue on her part, or a previous lapse in her morals; but her record stood the test well. The chatter of her old companions in the Golden Bar, when sifted by experts, was found to be mere slander.