the same shade.

They went down to the drawing-room, still accompanied by Emma.

The gentlemen had just come in from the breakfast-table, and all the
guests were assembled there to see the happy pairs off on their bridal
tours.

Emma had left the room for a few minutes to give some orders.

Alden Lytton had just embraced his sister, and was holding the hand of
his brother-in-law, wishing him all manner of happiness and prosperity,
when the door opened and Jerome entered, saying:

"There's a gemman out here wants to see Mr. Lytton most partic'lar."

"Show him in," said Alden Lytton, smiling, and expecting to see some
guest who had come too late for the wedding.

CHAPTER XLV.

A TERRIBLE SUMMONS.

You have displaced the mirth, broke the good meeting
With most admired disorder.
--SHAKESPEARE.

The servant left the room, and presently returned and ushered in a tall,
stout, gray-haired man, whom all present recognized as Mr. John Bowlen,
the deputy sheriff of the county.

The new-comer bowed to the assembled company and walked straight up to
Alden Lytton, who advanced to meet him.

"You are Mr. Alden Lytton, I presume?" said the deputy-sheriff.

"Why, of course I am, Mr. Bowlen! You know that quite well, don't you?"
smiled Alden.

"I thought I did; but I wished to be quite sure in a case like this. You
are my prisoner, Mr. Alden Lytton," said the deputy-sheriff, so calmly
and distinctly that every one in the room both heard and understood the
strange words.

Yet no one uttered an exclamation of surprise. I think they were all too
much stunned for that.

Alden Lytton simply stared in silent amazement at the officer, while
others, including the two bridegrooms, gathered around him.

"What did you say just now? Perhaps I did not hear you aright," inquired
Alden, elevating his eyebrows, for there was something that struck him
as unreal, ludicrous and bordering upon the burlesque in the whole
situation.

"I said that you were my prisoner, Mr. Alden Lytton," answered the
deputy-sheriff, gravely. "I repeat that you are my prisoner."

"Prisoner!" echoed a score of voices, giving expression at length to
their amazement.

"Yes, ladies and gentlemen, he is my prisoner. I think I spoke plainly
enough; and I hope I shall have no trouble in making the arrest,"
answered the deputy-sheriff, who, if he were not behaving very rudely,
was certainly not doing