Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1879-02-04
NO. %.

bridal suit going down to receive the
minister.
Cynthia, you 60 and tell the gentle
men they may come in
Cynthia shrank back But as brides
maid it was her Office, and the others
pushed her to the door.
''She didn want to see Seth Taggart,
reckon" said one of the girls in a half
whisper. Don't you see how pale she
has grown?"
Cynthia falsifed this speech by looking
scarlet before the girl addressed could
turn her head; and she opened the door of
the room, where the bridegroom and his
men were Gagged, with an air in which as
sumed indifference was strongly marked,
and said, Gentlemen, we are ready"
with toss that sent the hop-bells dancing
in her head.
Seth, long and lean, and shiny, in his
wedding suit as a snake in new skin,
took little Susie on his awkward arm;
Frank Handy, quite collected, and self
possessed, offered his to the bridesmaid,
and they followed the bride and bride
groom into the best parlor. Cynthia and
Frank were parted, when they took their
places for the ceremony. 1t was only
moment that she leaned upon his arm;
but that moment gave her new sensa-
tion. 1t was pride, such as no woman
need be ashamed Of, in resting upon manly
strength. His arm did not tremble, though
all her nerves seemed twittering like
wires stretched, and suddenly let loose.
He seemed so strong, so calm, so self-col-
lected, and SO dignifed, that she began to
feel her own unworthiness, and to mis-
trust her power.
She cast her eyes down during the
service, tried to bring her rebel nerves un-
der control-she heard nothing, and saw
no one. The minister had blessed them
both, and kissed the bride. Everybody
came round the pair with salutations.
The kissing was rather indiscriminate
Seth claimed the privilege of kissing all
the girls, and of course he kissed the
bridesmaid. His former sensation of all
over-ever so'' transferred itself to her in
a different way. She would as soon have
kissed clam.
s'Cynthia, you and Frank bring in the
cake. You seem to forget all you have
got to do, said one Of the young girls Of
The party.
Frank Herel Your bridesmaids g wait
ing, and / declare, don't believe you
have taken the privilege of the kiss you are
entitled to-
Frank was called away from the side Of
a lady in blue, a stranger from the city,
who had been brought by some of the
guests. She had no other acquaintances,
and Frank seemed to be attentive to
her.
Il beg your pardon, Miss Cynthia =
said he, turning from the lady, and taking
no notice Of the latter part Of the speech
that was addressed to him, tlet us do all
that is expected Of US.
They went together into the pantry,
and were there alone Cynthia thought,
if he intends to say Snipl now is the mo-
ment." But Frank was intent on arrang-
ing the cake on plates and disposing them
on large waiter. Cynthia felt ready to
cry. She took refuge in silence, and the
cake. 1t may have been the sweet, un-
wholesome smell of wedding cake which
made her head ache violently.
fIt is a foolish custom" said Frank, as
they arranged the cake. Foolish, that
persons, because they are happy, should
want to make other folks sick. But there
is great deal of selfshness in the display
o. newly married happiness, as that essay
by Ella tells us. . sHI
Frank sighed, and that sigh revived the
courage OF Cynthia Now she thought he
win say 'Sniplp Can l say "Snapl" OH
no.
She put on little coquetry. 'fYou will
not have any cake at your wedding, Mr.
Frank, 7 she said. Everything about that
will be the perfection Of good sense and
reason"
She had not intended to be sarcastic,
but as the speech fell from her lips, it
sounded so. 1t was trlfing-unworthy
She wished she had not said it. Its tone
was out of harmony with what she felt.
"Come, said Frank, 'letus feed them"
He took one of the handles of the tray, and
the bridesmaid took the other. The room
was very merry. The cake was served
with plenty Of noise, and the wine afterit.
Frank seemed to be quite self-possessed,
and attentive to everybody. Cynthla's 9
beaux could make nothing Of her. She an
swered their questions wrong. A rumor
ran that she was wearing the willow for
Seth Taggart She declined to dance, on
the plea that she must keep herself olsen
gagged for her duties as bridesmaid. and,
indeed, her head ached SO she feared the
notion Agonized by her self conscious
ness, and with too little spirit left to make
head against the reports that were going
about, she could not but perceive that
Frank seemed not to remember her.
"Who is that lady in blue, MIR. Handy
is SO taken up withfP she said to one ofthe
party. Cynthia had always called him
Prank before, but consciousness made
her now reject the old familiarity.
.'Oh that is somebody very wonderful.
Everybody else is afraid to speak to her.
She has written book. Frank seems to
be right down flirting with her-doesn't
he9 | declare, now, he always wanted
somebody out Of the way. Nobody here
was good enough for Frank. Have you
heard be has been offered professorship,
and is going away He is going to live in
the same place she does. shouldn't
wonder at his courting her-should your"
Il don't care" said Cynthia in her
heart, Il don't care. OH yes do care
that he should have weighed me in the
balances so calmly this afternoon, and
found me so unworthy, that be takes back
the love he has offered me. Has hejudged
me very cruellyf Or am quite unworthy