"Begone, woman! You are mad! Will some one take this maniac in custody?" fiercely demanded Anglesea, roughly pushing the stranger aside, and dragging Odalite after him, and trying to force his way down the narrow aisle, which was now fast filling up with the eager, wondering people from the pews. "One moment, if you please, sir. Let me relieve you of my daughter, until this interruption shall be explained," said Mr. Force, taking the hand of his child, to draw her away. But the bridegroom's arm tightened around his prey, as he haughtily replied: "Pardon me, sir! You have no authority over Mrs. Anglesea. She is my wife, and under my protection. Let me pass." "Not if I know it--you don't pass here! Not with that innocent girl on your arm, you don't! Your wife, is she? I see that, and go one better! And that's me! A man can't have two wives, can he, Mr. Parson? This ain't Utah, nor yet Salt Lake City, be it?" "I think, Col. Anglesea," slowly began the rector----but the bridegroom cut him short: "Your interference is not required here, reverend sir. Your ministry is completed. The marriage ceremony is finished. I hold my wife on my arm." "Then this is a Mormon settlement, and a man can marry as many wives as he pleases, eh, gentlemen?" inquired the strange woman, looking around. "Good friends! Pray let us pass!" the colonel expostulated, trying to elbow his way through the excited crowd that filled up the aisle, and seemed to wait with suspended breath the issue of the scene. Two voices answered at once: "No, sir. I think not. Mr. Force has asked for his daughter until this matter can be investigated," said Thomas Grandiere. "Will you release the lady, at her father's demand, and save us the discredit of using violence in this sacred place?" inquired William Elk. "Oh, my Lord, there'll be a fight!" exclaimed a voice from the crowd. "Will some one be kind enough to take this mad woman in custody?" exclaimed Anglesea, beside himself with fear, shame and wrath. "In custody, is it? If anybody is taken in custody, it is that man there! Yes, it is you I am talking about! It's you, for bigamy! I wish I had got a warrant out and fetched a couple of bailiffs to do it, too! Why don't you let this girl go? You might's well do it first as last. You'll have to do it, you know!" said the woman. "Will you give me my daughter, Col. Anglesea?" quietly questioned Abel Force. "No, I will not give you my wife!" fiercely retorted the bridegroom. But at this moment the two sturdy Maryland farmers came up on either side of the man, and, each taking a firm grip of his arms, with gentle strength, released the half-swooning bride, who immediately dropped upon the bosom of her father. "I shall hold every man here to a strict account for this outrage!" fiercely hissed the furious bridegroom. "Quite right, sir! We will be at your service at any time," said William Elk.