Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1881-04-30
FOLLY.

III was May Brlnley Weuulhg
day, and she stood fully dressed
before her mirror, taking one last
look, with little pardonable van
ity, at the pretty figure reflected
there. In another hour she should
be Mrs. John Hargrave, How
hard it was to realize
Around her clustered bevy of
girls, each one anxious to put some
finishing touch to the beautiful
toilet.
II quite envy you, May said
one; land | caught peep of Jack.
He looks, oh, so aWfuly hand-
some, and is waiting impatiently
to see you one minute before you
60 TO the church"
"Have yon made up you mind
to say 'obey p" mischievously
said another. "You know you
always used to say you never
would"
ooh, yes, I shall say it," ans
wered the bride-elect, because |
shouldn't wants scene at the altar.
But it's all nonsense; Jack doesn't
expect me TO obey him. He knows
/ have had my own way all my
life, and l am sure he will always
give it to me. He says he loves
to spoii me-"
''rake care, May, darling, that
you do not begin life with fatal
error" said one wh3 had not yet
spoken.
Her words were interrupted by
a quick, impatient rap at the door.
"It's jack" exclaimed May.
"Open the door, girls, and then be
off with you'
II thought they would never let
me in,n said the tall, handsome
fellow who advanced into The
room. "My own darling How
beautiful you are ~
He came toward her with out
stretched arms.
"Don't!' she said, little petu-
lantly, receding as she spoke.
",rhis is not the time for bear
hugs"
The handsome face clouded
little.
ri won't do the fnery any
HARM" he answered, and gently
encircling her with his arm he
drew her to him, uplifting the
crimson lips on which he pressed
a long, loving kiss. "God grant L
may ever make you as happy as
you have made ne to-day" he
whispered.
But Just then there was a call
for the BRIDE The carriages were
in waiting. 1t was quite time
they should be at the church.
How solemnly Jack made all
the responses, thought May. For
her part she repeated them after
the minister scarcely conscious OF
of the significant import of the
words, but quite conscious of the
sea of faces through which she
must pass; quite conscious that
her marriage was the event of the
season, her toilet such as to Lar
criticism. and her husband young
and rich, and handsome enough
to make her the envy of half the
women present.
But way down in the depths of
the little worldly heart was a well
of true love for Jack. If she had
had to give up all this outside
show she would have been quite
content to have gone off all alone
with him, and proved how true a
wife she could be; but there was
no occasion for this, and L doubt
ifeven May herself knew just how
wholly she loved him. She was
a spoiled, petted child, and that
any solemn duties were entailed
in the estate upon which she was
lust enterin she did not pause to
think.
For four weeks she sand Jack
travelled; then they came home to
their own beautiful home-her
fathers wedding gift to her. Here
round of festivities awaited them,
so that the young couple for three
months had no single evening to
themselves.
Pm tired, May. Let US stay at
home tonight, darling" said Jack
one evening after dinner, as May
was about to leave him to make
her toilet for some party.
absurd, Jack You're not
growing old already, surely! Be-
sides, / promised Mrs. Armstrong
we would come, and l cannot dis
appoint her."
II don't like Mrs Armstrong,
May. / wish you were not so in
innate with her; and really my
head aches tonight. Stay at
home, like a good little girl"
For a moment May wavered,
She looked within the library,
that seemed 80 warm and inviting.
She could fancy Jack stretched on
the sofa, while she sat beside him,