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Chapter Fourteen
My Little Dove

"Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other."
~ Psalm 85:10 ~

John quickly found his way to the justice of the peace, who lived in a small room adjoining the church. John knocked at the church door, until the old man appeared, obviously being disturbed from a good night's rest. Upon seeing the young couple at the door, he nodded knowingly.

"You want to get married," he said, pretending to be surprised. The old man guided them to the back of the church, leading them to a small desk.

"I need you two to fill out these papers." The old man looked at Izumi. "Young lady, are you an American citizen?" Izumi turned around, with her back to the two men, for only a moment. When she again faced them, she was holding a very small bundle of documents.

"Mother gave these for me to carry, on the airplane," she explained, more for John's sake than the old man's. She unfolded her birth certificate and handed it to the justice of the peace. He examined it with an experienced eye.

"It says here, that you were born in Tokyo, Japan, making you an alien," he pronounced, authoritatively.

"What does that mean?" asked John, in a concerned voice.

"It means, young man, that you must fill out these papers, also." He handed John another stack of forms. The old man walked away, chuckling to himself.

Izumi gave John her passport, along with the other certificates Anna had entrusted her with. Anna had known her daughter hardly ever lost anything, so Izumi was the most logical person to carry such important documents. She never would have done that, however, if she had known how they were to be used against her. John asked her questions, and Izumi answered them, nervously watching the church door for her mother. When they had completed the task, the old man inspected each form, pronouncing that they were in order.

The old man led them to the pulpit, placing John on the right, and Izumi on the left. He started to begin, but noticed he had no witnesses. "Wait here," he said, hurrying to another room. He soon reappeared, with his wife, and the janitor. Both looked like they had just been awoke from their sleep. John and Izumi watched nervously, as the two new participants took their places.

The old man took his place on a small step and began: "Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony; which is an honourable estate, instituted of God in the time of man's innocency, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and His Church; therefore is not by any to be enterprised, nor taken in hand, unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly, to satisfy men's carnal lusts and appetites, like brute beasts that have no understanding; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God; duly considering the causes for which matrimony was ordained.

First, it was ordained for the procreation of children, to be brought up in the fear and nurture of the Lord, and to the praise of His holy Name.

Secondly, It was ordained for a remedy against sin, and to avoid fornication; that such persons as have not the gift of continency might marry, and keep themselves undefiled members of Christ's body.

continued on next page...
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One of my longtime readers, Myra Valcourt, has created a Facebook group just for you! "The Works of Judith Bronte" offers a forum to discuss the stories and characters, and a way to get to know other readers. I hope to see you there!