A Colonial Wooing
As John Bishop had said, the proposed wedding had caused a dissension, and several members of the meeting expressed themselves so freely that serious trouble was feared. John did not attend, even on First day, but calmly awaited the decision of a new committee to whom the whole matter was referred. What he feared would be the case resulted. There was a division; and if he and Ruth were married on the chosen date and at Pearson's they would be subject to discipline, and then the question of legality might arise: was the wedding in accordance with the customs of the Friends? And if not, and no magistrate was present, or hireling priest performed the ceremony, might not trouble be the outcome, and their opponents triumph in a manner to blight their whole lives? John could stand anything for her sake, but was powerless to alter the decision of constituted authorities. No wonder he was sorely troubled.
"Please don't set me wild by all this law and custom and so on," said Ruth, when Robert placed the matter before her. "What
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