The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1881-06-02
TWICE AN EAVESDROPPER.

Just such day as Elsa had always long
ed might smile upon her wedding. A
bright October day, with the suns ray!
fairly dancing, as they lent to the cleal
air something of the past summer
warmth. Everything had passed of
beautifully, too. The church had beer
lhronged, but all were unanimous in
voice Of praise-praise Of the bride,
he groom, the surroundings, the toll.
cts. True, one or two said the bride
appeared almost child-far, far too
young to assume the responsibilities OF
IF married life. But, then, with what
idorning eyes she looked upon the tall
handsome man at her side, who seemed
20 quiet, so calm and unmoved during
he utterance of the sacred words.
A wonderfully handsome couple, the
world said, and a wonderfully brilliant
Ind well-sorted marriage; and as to Elsa
herself, it all seemed dream. She
was SO happy; so happy that, in looking
back over the short vista of her eight
cen years-years when she had known
neither care nor sorrow-that she had
never tasted the full, o'erAowipg meas
ure OF happiness before. She wanted
to be alone-alone with her great JOY,
for a little while, that she might wor-
ship with it, as at an altar.
1t was q relief when the moment
came that she could slip away from the
circle Of congratulating friends to make
the necessary change in her dress for the
journey; but first she must run up to
her own room cher traveling-dress had
been laid out in the room below, and
take one last look within the walls
where her happy girlhood had beer
spent. Adjoining it was the chamber
appropriated to her husband. Hel
husband? How strange and unreal il
seemed, that henceforth Pierce Curtin
life and hers were to be irrevocabl,
blended together.
"She's pretty child, Pierce. B,
good to her, old fellow"
/ 1t was his best man who spoke-hi
Oldest and dearest friend, he had toll
her.
4 "a pre.ty;; child, indeed" She indig
nantly drew nearer to listen to the re
ply, smiling even mid her annoyance
IN anticipation Of the loving disclaime
which would follow.
"Yes, pretty child. You hav
summed it all up i'll these three words
Harry, l realized it to full an hour age
Any but child would have discovere
the empty heart l have to offer an
woman-nay, not only empty, bu
scared and SCARED. All, Maudc Car
toni wonder what you will say whe
you read Of my marriage, few day
hence, and learn that mems hearts d
not lightly break, but casting off on
allegiance, bend to another.
Hush, Pierce! Don't talk like tina
yet l feared, some such motive il
tluenced you when you wrote me
your intended mar. iage. I knew
when ! looked upon your bride, an
wondered, Pierce-forglve meth,
you dared unite this young life wi,
yours, when you could give her not
y ing in return"
\ Nothing Nay, she loves me; 81
y does not believe me demonstratiy
u therefore does not look for it. 1t
y well. Doubtless we shall be model pai
n Who believes in love in marriage no
( adayss''
What was the sound that hushed 4
.nswer on Harry Reeds lips, and ma.
both men look at each other wi
white. startled faceei Il was such
. sound e one might imagine might
the 0eatn-tnroe OF q Dreakiny hesrt.
! Fierce Curtin darted forward a
i threw open the door Of communicate
= into the room adjoining, but it Y
empty. The hall, too, was deserted.
With : reassuring smile At his o
n folly, he came back.
said.
Meanwhile, down the stairs had Rlit
: young, graceful figure, whose WI
satin r0bes trailed far behind her,
whose face was whittier than her DR.
White with that understandable pal
which tells us that the currents ab,
- the heart are coursing tumultuously
~ though she would drive tn
81 bach, she held one little hand ii
pSeased shove them. Her eyes =
lasge and dark; ore scarlet drop
naood upon hes lip tod where the VI
teah had pressed.
Like some hunted thine. she 1
no de f0om where her maid AVA
II ~ Viii eaeer fneess ~ heIr'es
- ~ H. cody robe, he dean
: eote. - PIT o. That prepared
= - 1nen - shut them ~ out /,