The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1878-01-24
THE MIDNIGHT TRAGEDY.

with festoons of evergreen studded
with scarlet berries.
The great wedding cake, with its col
ums Of spun sugar and wreaths OF
roses, was already set in its place OF
honor in the middle of the table, and
the chandelier, an old-fashioned affair
with glittering silver chains and pen.
dants of cut glass, was wreathed with
princesspine and velvet rum for Ka'
tie Conway was to be married next
day.
She stood before the fire, tall.
sweet faced girl of nineteen, her gold
en- brown halr coiled in ripping waves
around her head, while the three bride.
maids, old school-mates, who in &C
-cordance with an ancient compact,
had been summoned to this first we'd
ding in their ranks, clustered around
her like maids of honor around their
queen.
Dear me- said Rosa Finlay, it's
past IL
sAnd my hair not yet crimped,' said
Josey Dale.
And I've got the blue bows to sew
on my white muslin Dress added
Lucila Wharton. tGood night every
body
And so the merry little group scat.
tered 10 their various rooms.
Katie Conway herself went last of
all ont, she did not go Immediately to
bed. Was there not Robert Falconer's
last letter to read over, once again, in
the glow of the fire. with Bessie, the
maid, who was waiting to brush out
her young lady's hair, glanced askance
at Katie's face, and thought how nice
it must be to have lover.
Suddenly Katie started up.
"IIow selfish ann she apologized.
Il forgot Bessie was waiting
And in i've minutes the maid was
all alone, with the lamp burning soft
ly on the table and the freight glanc-
ing on the gilded arabesques of the
Chinese folding screen, that shut all
draughts away from the hearth.
Almost at the same time, Robert
TAconer, just arrived in the late train,
was standing in the frosty moonlight,
by the stable yards Of the "Bolton
Arms and close to him stood tall,
handsome man, leaning against the
gate post, and smoking q cigar.
sWellY said he, airily, this is sur
priseP
Il don't see why it should be- re-
turned Falconer. Il am to be married
to Miss Conway tomorrow, and de-
cided to come on tonight, instead of
waiting for the morning train shall
give them an agreeable surprise, and
HE face frightened at the thought.
The wonder is that you should be
here, Karl Porter
'IT N
The young mans eyes turned eva
sively from the others frank glance.
oh, we lawyers are here, there and
I've had q libel case in
town and it has brought me down &C.
-li4t
Who was that woman you were
talking to when first came i'm Z care
fully questioned Falconer. She SEEM
ed annoyed or angry
Porter laughed again, more con-
strained than before.
It's only q woman from the other
end of town. said he. Il paid her
pretty daughter a few attentions, and
she wants to take the matter dm SER
ieuz. These country people are SO
in earnest. Here comes
The hostler; now you'll be off,
But.fate had ordained otherwise.
The only horse left i'm the stable was
lame.
: But il you gentlemen could wait
an hour, or -
wait an hour!' echoed Mr.. Folcon-
err, and it's after IL already! No,
thanks, my good friend. It's an easy
two miles. / could walk it in that
time.'
But it's a bitter night, sir, for all
the moon shines SO bright urged the
man. And you'll be famished with
The cold.'
No matter. My friend here will
lend me his fu--trimmed ulster-eh,
POrterT laughingly demanded Fall
coner.
with all the pleasure in life,' POr-
Ter languidly made answer: that is,
II you are determined 10 commit such
an eccentricity.'
Wait until your wedding eve comes
and see how you will feel about it, re-
Iorted the bridegroom elect, as he but
Toned the long wrap about him and
turned up the fur collar to protect his
neck from the cold. well, au reuior.
I shall expect to see you at the wed
aing-breakfast, tomorrow, remember
And with the long. swinging strides
Of . practical walker, he disappeared
down the road.
All this transpired at about IL 80.
md the little alabaster clock ON Miss
Conways mantle pointed to twelve
precisely when, still brooding over
Mr.. Falconer's letter, something like
} tremulous quiver of chill air across
her made her start instinctively and |
ook mp. The lamp illuminated only
] small portion of the reom, but the |
liver radiance OF the full moon, Shin
ng in through the easement, across
which Katie had forgotten to draw the
'rimson draperles. made all as light as
lay. And there, standing against the
ong French easement. Katie saw her |
over, wrapped in long, fur-trimmed
:ost, . seal ska cap on his head aud a
= a. Ia .hl4