The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1882-02-18
TWO WEDDING DAYS.
A Husbands Story.
B.J MARIE HAZEN.

of Miss Nell BARLEY to Mr.. Bertram Langley
had been announced in the fashion column o.
a leading society journal, and the wedding
day had arrived.
| am Bertram Langley-commonly called
/ Bertrand while | cCniess to being most SIN
corcly ana entirely in love with my little Nell
| must add had been quite annoyed abou
our marriage, first NJ the persistence IN which
she insisted on grand wedding
hate fuss and parade, and have an old time
notion that marriage rehearsed giddily, and
eventually solcmnized before a crowd of gos
slping, gaping people, is robbed OF all its sweet
purity.
Then, too, the trosseau. The whole business
Is nuisance Excuse the big word, but my
/ feelings are strong on that point What on
earth "A woman wants with clothes enough to
| last five years, and gewgaws more than she
can ever hope TO USE | never could see; unless
indeed, she entertains horrible suspicion that
the new firm will refuse to furnish new
supply.
| It's all right, | suppose, since they all do il
| (no slang intended) but 1t was trying time
| for me, | can tell you. | could scarcely get a
! glimpse of Nell she was so busy with dress
makers, mllincrs, etc; and when | did see
nor she was in such Il rafting hurry to be of
10 keep an appointment with some little work
women or other, that | actually grew a little
savage.
For a month before we were to be married
believe never entered the house once but
! Kate-Nells married sster-rushed into the
room with an Excuse me, Bert, but Nell IS
wanted moment" or Don't look cross, Bert,
but Nellie must see Madame This or That"
TIL utterly lost all my patience,
There was another cause of annoyance, too
Nclls father was u rich man, ana rs able as he
was willing to furnish his daughter with as
much iinery rs she might desire; while |, on
the other hand, was man with way to still
make in the world.
True had far income, and iairer pros
poets, but | could not hope to give Nell as
luxurious n home or rs elaborate wardrobe
as her papa had provded-at least for some
years: but could afford to support wife,
and loved Nell with all my heart.
When asked MIR. Bartley's consent TO our
marriage he was just little inclined to find
fault with my financial condition.
An older man. with Il ell.scCured fortune,
would have suited HIM better. He had q most
Iunwholesome dread of fortune hunters, and
even went so far as to have u mild suspicion
that was interested in that way; but all that
wore off in time, and we were on the best of
terms
| only mention this to show how u suspic.
ion once entertained Will return on the tantest
invitation, and not unrequently upon none at
all for the time came when Mr. Barley not
only entertained this surmise but eagerly hug
ged that foul thought to his heart and grew
murderous IN that vital organ toward me
Berram Langley-as innocent man as ever
stepped.
The day before the one fixed for our mar
riage Neil and had our first TIFF. | called to
inform her of the smallest hitch in the church
machinery. The regular sexton was obliged
to leave town. but had secured the services Of
his brother "a very deaf and stupid man, as it
turned ouU. Possibly she might have some
instructions to give him.
| waited full half an hour in the reception
room, cooling my heels and warming my
wrath, before Nell rushed in.
"Whal IS it, Bert?" she asked breathlessly
I'm awful busy
A spark Is enough to ignite a whole city, if
1t only falls upon highly Intlammable materi.
al and word is quite enough to raise furi-
Gus temper in man who is aching to get
mad; SO answered CURLY
AFT you are In such hurry, 1t Is no matter
what wish to say"
Nell opened her eyes in surprise.
"lve got to select some lace, she explained.
"And Kate can't wait"
"Nelther can |, retorted shortly, pulling
on my glove Then after a moment | added ::
you think Il great deal of furbclows, don't
you"
"Indeed do"
81 am afraid you will have to do with vastly
less when we are married.
Nell tossed her head sauclly.
"All the more reason should be allowed TO
enjoy these papa gives me"
The shot went home. | bit my lips, but
managed to keep cool outside, but lnwardly |
was boiling.
at is not too late to retreat" said, coolly.
"lf you repent your bargain there is time to
escape"
Nel's eyes grew big with horror at the idea.
Indeed, it is entirely too late" she burst
out crying. "Why, everybody knows 1t. All
our set have cards. | should die of NORTH
cation to have it put Oft now. We must go
on now, anyway; | have no desire to be the
laughing stock of every one"
Better be laughed AT a week than miserable
for lifetime" retorled.
Nell opened her lips to answer, but just at
that moment her sister Kate put her head in
at the door
"Nell, Nell! Excuse me- Bert"
| | stayed to hear no more, but turned on my
heel and strobe away.
No sooner had | reached my hotel than
was heartily ashamed oil myself and when
Tom, my elder brother and only living rela.
tive, rushed in and told me that his wife was
ill at home, SO anxious was he to see me mar
ried, the least bit of crossness departed, and a
great wave of tenderness swept over my heart
for the browneyed girl who knew was to
marry me ON the morrow, only because she
loved me tar better than the elegance of her
fathers home or the costly tritles he could
give her.
Tom was i'll at ease aud worried, and moth
ing but my funeral or marriage could have
induced him to leave home while Lettle was
sick.
. Next morning saw Nell for moment only,
but the kiss | pressed ON her dear little mouth
was Il silent plea for pardon, and promise for
better control over my temper next time
Evening came-thc church was packed, and
|, feeling most uncommonly stuff and awk.