The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1881-11-01


marriage had been arranged for the
third week i'm December. All she
had stipulated was that should corn,
to her and spend the last week before
IKE wedding in her fathers house.
81 went. Though nv poor girl.
face lighted up with joy at seeing me.
she soon fell into a listless. lesponden;
way. Sadder to see than tears or re-
proaches Once / mentioned Philip.
name. She started IL though she had
been stung by wasp.
"'Do not speak Of him. she said,
wildly; he does not love me--ro one
does" Then more calmly, Forgive
me, auntie, dear? | am not strong,
think. And she subsidized into her
usual downcast state.
1.-The evening before the day fixed
for the wedding, a servant entered the
room where We We're sitting, and
handed Elaine a casket. As she slowly
opened it, even | gave q cry Of sur
prise at the sight of the rare jewels it
was bikes Ramsey's wish his bride
should he adorned with. She pushed
them wcarily aside.
"'Strange that anyone should mar
ry for such things, was all she said.
The next morning, As, with my
old eyes blinded with tears, | had fin
iShed fastening the white veil over the
still whittier brow, attempted to fas-
ten the necklace of briliiants about
her neck. She pushed them aside
with u flash of the old spirit, and said.
bitterly
"'Don't. auntie For another halt
hour, at least. / am my own property.
81 said no more, and We descended
"As MIR. Fosters eve fell on his
daughter, he said. sternly-
"Where are the bridegroom
Jewels
Ordering them to be brought, he
clasped them himself about his
daughters neck and arms. She sub
mitted listlessly.
I've entered the church. We had
taken our places before the altar. The
last strains of the Wedding March
had died upon our ears. The brilliant
assembly was hushed as the minister
began to speak.
bikes Ramseys answer. Il will,
sounded clear and firm. | looked up :;
who was it l saw leaning against a
pillar, his sombre gaze filled with a
cOntemptuous scorn of that woman
who was selling her soul in his very
presence? Elaine raised her eyes to
my agitated face. Her glance fol-
lowed mile.
Then she did what l think no
woman but a brave as well as a loving
one could.
The congregation was still waiting
for her answer. As she caught Philip
Rays glance, a burning flush suffused
her face, then died, and left her cheek
As pale as marble. Her eyes lighted
with a sudden resolution. Turning
from the altar she passed the wonder
ing group of bridesmaids, and, in the
face of that gay crowd, went and
stood before Philip Ray.
Philip she said, in a low, sup
pressed tone, why did not you come
for me-"
"Disregarding the strangeness Of
the proceedings i'm the wild hope that
had sprung up within him, he an
swered, hurriedly-
al did: | wrote to YOU | went to
your house every day for a week, but
was refused admittance. That is
what YOU sent me.
As he spoke, he took from his
hreast-pocket note worn with many
readings.
"There, in the presence Of that
crowd Elaine read the
note. 1t ran thus
IF YOU have any pity for me, cease
to annoy me with your presence. DO
you not see that | can never love you
that nv heart is anothers9
ELAINE FOSTER
"'There is some mistake she fall
tered Il sent this note to Dilkes
Ramsey.
A light flashed over his face. His
eyes shOne with love and triumph.
"'Come, said ne, tenderly; you
are of age: let us not risk another
separation"
"He took her hand in his. and to-
gether they stepped before the as
tOnished minister. Raising her hand
with swift gesture, the diamonds fell
to the floor.
81 looked about for Mr.. Foster.
He had left the church. Ere l could
recover from the fright into which
this offence against all the cOnven-