The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1881-01-14

elegant and becoming; and I don't say hut
what she did look handsome in it, with three
bonnet that set off her dark hair. And what
did Miss Warburton wear, you want to
know: I declares just don't remember at
this moment. but she was got up fine, you
may be sure. Mrs. TOmkins, my dear. Mrs.
Wells didn't want Miss Hattie to wear that
white dress, for she said it was too snowy.
like to 60 out in; but the young lady only
laughed and ran out Of the room, calling to
me that she was ready. At last we set on,
and Mr.. Bachelor gave his arm to Miss Car.
RE, saying that she was the first invited and
making his excuses to the others. Miss Hat.
ties eyes blazed up, and for the first time
that night knew she meant mischief. Well,
we hadn't gone very far, both Miss Florrie
and Miss Hattie rs lad as hops, when sud-
denly Miss Carrie tripped, and though she
had Mr.. Bachelors arm, and to this day l
don't see how he come to let her fall, down
she went all in the soft mud. 1 was that
frightened I could hardly speak, and Mr..
Bachelor was STOPPING over her with the
greatest anxiety to know II she were hurt.
we ucIpeu the Oc1T laulD up, anu slc WASH
injured mite, only her dress was covered
with mud, and she had to drop behind a lit
tie bit with me to have it brushed of with
my whisk that had the sense never to go
without. That was the moment, Mrs. Tom
kins, my dear, for when I put that brush
away Miss Hattie had Mr.. Bachelors arm
and wouldn't let it go, for when Miss Carrie
than usual, "You don't mind my taking
your place, Carrie, do you: feel strangely
tired, and Mr.. Bachelor is kind enough to
assist me-" Her tone was polite enough,
and it must have been something in the
words that made Miss Sanderson flush all up
and say, "Certainly not" and then step
back to me, for walk with Miss Florrie Of
Mr.. Bachelor, for what could the poor
man do, saddled with that young imp, unless
he affronted her out and out; and he didn't
dare do that, knew, for at whose house
could he see Miss Carrie il not at hers: So
he swallows his disappointment as well as
he could, and Miss Warburton joys along
side of Miss Hattie, and we could hear them
tllking for dear life. l looked at Miss Car.
RE and wanted to say something to her, but
she seemed sort OF strange with her lips
tight closed and 4 strained expression in her
eyes, and couldn't breathe Mr.. Bachelors
name to her to save my life. Well, it was
long moonlight walk, but at last we come to
you wouldn't have guessed there was much
tire about her. l did think there was very
little light about the place for a concert. but
! we never suspected anything till We stepped
| inside (fOr the door was open), and only saw
| two men in the building. ''Why. what is
this?" says Mr.. Bachelor, looking very
much astOnished and walking pto the older
of the two men. 81 thought there was to
| be a concert here tonight. Am / mistakenN
''You didn't see the notice in the paper,'
says the other, smiling; II was obliged to
have 4 ministers meeting here tonight, SD
We put off the music; the gentlemen will be
here in half an hour, and We couldn't we'll
| have the two" l don't suppose Mr..
| Bachelor knew who was talking to him, but
just then the other man come up, and says
ne, "Doctor Graham, if you don't want me
| for few minutes Pm going into the vestry-
room." Every we'll, Harris" says the
other, and off went Harris. "Have the
pleasure of speaking to the pastor of the
church himself:" says Mr.. Bachelor, look
tor, laughing, II am the terrible Doctor
Graham that the ladies are all afraid Of. :"
| And by that judged he was given to preach
against fine dressing, and wasting of money
| on useless things when there was lots Off DOR
to be helped. l noticed Mr.. Bachelor
didn't Introduce himself nor the ladies, but
he said they would like to 60 over the church
| and see it. The Doctor was quite agreea-
BILE, and then Miss Warburton insisted on
carrying Miss Sanderson stairs to see the
galleries. Miss Carrie asked to be excused,
but Miss FlOrrie told her she couldn't go
| alone; and though Mr.. Bachelor was very
anxious to 60 too when he found Miss Car
| RE was going Miss Hattie was so tired she
said she couldn't possibly attempt it, and
she was sure Mr.. Bachelor wouldn't mind
taking care of her till the other two came
back. She did look so handsome and speak
so uncommon fair that believe poor Mr..
Bachelor had his head q little turned. He
stayed anyway, and as soon as the others
were upstairs and out o. sight Miss Hattie
pulls MI. Bachelor forward and says to the
minister (mind you, l nearly dropped when
heard her), 'sNairy us at once! quick, or
it will be too late" The Doctor started and
stared, but Mr.. Bachelor went deadly pale
and seemed speeches.. He tried to say
something, but Miss Hattie pressed his arm
and looked into his face with the best put.
| on expression 1 ever saw. ~ love you and
Carrie does not" she said; ''do not forsake
mew DIR. Graham saw and heard, and
what gentleman would feel it right to tell
the truth when he was so placedy DR.. Ora
ham looked frightened and asked Miss Hat
tie il she were twenty one, and she answered
.Yes. Please hurry" And knew for fact
she was seventeen and six months! But
she looked older and was generally taken
for twenty. / saw the minister, poor man,
was going to give in, and 1 made my last eff
fort for Miss Carrie; stepped forward.
miss Hattie" says I. ''Mrs. Carter"
says she firmly, remember your place"
and with that she put the book into the Doc
tors hands and implored him to begin.
Well, Mrs. Tomkins, my dear, my heart had
like to have broke, just sat down in the
pew and cried. The minister didn't see
nothing in that except what was natural in
friend Of the POOR girl, 1 suppose, and if I
had plucked up courage to make objection
to the marriage when the question was ask
ed, 1 had nothing serviceable to say. Mr..
Bachelor was not engaged to Miss Carrie,
as far as 1 knew. And was certain Miss
Hattie was marrying him for the money and
nothing more. But neither Of these facts
would have been of much use, so DR.. Ora.
ham finished the service and they were man
and wife! The GOODNESS of that young
wretch! When it came to the time for the
ring, she pulled one off her finger, a plain
gold band that had belonged to her mother,
Mr.. Bachelor was obliged to put it on
the proper finger! / had seen Miss Hattie,
when we first came into the church, take off
her red roses and pretend to fix them over,
but when come to look at her after the GER
emory she hadn't bit of color near her, and
it's likely that what with the white dress