With the ceremony concluded, both guards start down the aisle. On cue, the minister continues, “I now pronounce you man and wife. The sergeant looks at his guards who shrug their shoulders. We are two adults who are in love, and we want to get married.” I love him! He is going to war! I know I may not see him again! You do not have to tell me that. “You don’t know what kind of girl I am, and neither does my mother. I met your mother, and she says you are a good girl. It is obvious that he did not know that his bride was pregnant. The men look at the soldier who looks bewildered. The sergeant and minister both ask, “What?” at the same time.Ī little slow and surprised, the soldier finally asks, “What?” The trembling bride finds her own voice, “We have to get married!” And you a man of the cloth and all, and in God’s House too. Finally, he concludes, “You’re bluffing, Padre. He looks at the minister’s face to gauge whether he is lying. “You must know that it is against military regulations to arrest anyone in a church. “No!” the sergeant answers, somewhat irritated. “Ten minutes, please,” the minister begs. The minister’s wife turns to leave, “I will put on a pot for tea.” “Not that it matters, but I am from Torrington, Wyoming.” “The name’s McAvoy, First Sergeant Thomas McAvoy, C Company, Fifteenth Infantry.” She could be a widow soon,” the sergeant answers. “Let them finish,” the minister’s wife says. The minister asks, “And how can he be AWOL if he has been gone only for a few hours?” Marriage now is not a good idea right now.” We ship tomorrow, and I aim to make sure he is on board. “Well, Padre, I have a few things to say.” The voice came from a huge man in an army uniform wearing stripes on this sleeve. The minister continues, "If anyone can show just cause why these two may not marry, speak now or forever hold your peace."Īll four turn when they hear a cough by the door. The candlelight plays on their faces and makes their shadows dance on the empty pews. The small group stands in front of the altar: a bride and groom, a minister, and his wife.
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