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Show GRETNA GREEN RETAINS CHARM FOR RUNAWAYS married. If everything Is satisfactory bride and bridegroom Join bands ovei the anvil, on which a iilhle Is placed and the blacksmith declare litem to be lawfully married. It may be men tinned, however, that quite a ntimbet j of romantic couples who go through this form of matrltininliil contract prefer lo ronllrin the legality of their marriage state hy having another nnd more formal ceremony performed else-where. No More Quick Marriages for Elopers, but Averages Four Weddings a Week. London. Cretna fireen, whither rul.nwoy couples used to fly from the wrjtb of parents or guardians, still lias It's attraction for romantic lovers In fact, the smithy at Gretna Green lias Just completed a record year Puring I'.CS murrlages were celebrated celebrat-ed over the historic anvil at the rate of four a week, which Is about the sume average as In the days of yore r'lve of the bridegrooms were Amer Icons. The number of American brides Is mil on record. Hut the days are gone since elop. ing swains and sweethearts fled northward, north-ward, pursued on horseback, perhaps, by an;;ry fathers and brothers armed wiih bunting whips, to get married quickly before vengeance could overtake over-take them. Oetna Green no longer irlves the protection to lovers flint It did No longer can a couple rush Into the smithy or tollhouse, fling down a guinea and demand Jo be married there and then without any questions being ns!;ed. Thai was all altered over seventy years ago, when Lord r.rougluim's act put obstacles In the way of the matrimonial escapades ot couples who sought sanctuary In this .fitle town Just Inside the Scottish border. That act provides among other things that a wedding there must be regarded as irregular and Invalid un less one of the parlies to It has been resident ' In Scotland for at least 21 duys before the ceremony. The usual procedure nowadays Is for the officiating offi-ciating blacksmith to ask the couple If one of them has complied with this stipulation and whether, if they are under age, they have the consent of their parents or guardians to get |
