Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1882-09-29
TWO WEDDING DAYS.
A Marriage without bridesmaids.

A Marriage without bridesmaids.
Everything had been duly and prop
erly arranged for our wedding. The
engagement OF Miss Nell BARLEY to
Bertram Langley had been duly an
nounced in the fashion columns of a
leading society journal, and the we'd
ding day had arrived.
am Bertram Langley-commonly
called Bertrand, while | confess to be
most sincerely and entirely in love
with my little Nell, / must add | had
been quite annoyed about our mar
riage, first at the persistence with
which she insisted upon Il grand we'd
ding.
hate fuss and parade, and have an
old-tim notion that marriage rehear-
sal giddiiy and eventually solemnized
before Il crowd Of gossiping, gaping
Beople il robbed of all its sweet purity.
Then, tco, the trousseau! The whole
business il nuisancel Excuse the big
word, but my feelings are strong on
that point. What on earth Il woman
wants of clothes enough to last five
YEAR,, and gewgaws more than she can
ever hope to use, never could see; I'M
less, indeed, she entertains n horrible
suspicion that the new firm may refuse
to furnish fresh supply.
It's all right, | suppose, since they all
do it tho slang intendcd), but it was n
trying time for me, can tell you.
could scarcely get glimpse of Nell
she was so busy with dressmakers, mill
iners, etc; and when | did see her she
was in such II rafting hurry to be of
to keep an appointment with some
workwoman or other that | actually
grew little savage.
For month before we were to be
married | believe never entered the
house once but Kate, NelPs sister,
rushed into the room with an
excuse me. Bert, but Nell is wanted
n moment" Or, Don't look cross,
Bert, but Nellie must see Nine. this
or that" till lost all patience.
There was another cause of annoy
ance, too; Nell's father was rich man,
and M able and ~ willing to furnish
his daughter with rs much fnery ~
she might desire, while !, on the con
trary, was II man with his way to still
make i'll the world.
True, ! had II fair income and fair
prospects, but | could not hope to give
Nell as luxurious home or rs elab-
crate II wardrobe as her papa provided,
mt least, not for some years; but could
afford to support n wife, and loved
Nell with all my heart.
When | asked Mr. Bartley's consent
A
little inclined to find fault with my
financial condition. An older man.
with wellsecured fortune, would have
suited him better. He had most I'M
wholesome dread OF fortune hunters,
and even went SO far M to have mild
suspicion that | might be Just bit in
terestod III that way, but all that wore
oil i'll that time, and we were on the
best of terms.
only mention this to show how n
suspicion once entertained will return
ON the falntest invitation, and not in
frequently on none at all, for the time
came when Mr.. Barley not only enter
tanned this unjust surmiSc but eagerly
Rugged this foul thought to his heart,
and grew murderous in that vital organ
toward mc-Bertram Langley-as in
nocent man as ever stepped.
The day before the one fixed for oar
marriage, Nell and | had our first tiff
| called to inform her OF the smallest
possible hitch i'll the church ma
chinery. The regular sexton was
the services of his brother Ia very deaf
and stupid man. az it turned QUIT.
Possibly she might have some instruc.
tons to give MIN.
waited full half an hour in the re-
ception room cooling my heels and
warming my wrath, before Nell rushed
in.
what is it Bert2" size asked breath
lSssly. 81 am awful busyW
A spark ia enough to- ignite II whole
city if it only falls ON highly innlm
mable material, and word IS quite
enough To raise furious temper In
man who is aching to get mad; SO
answered curtlj:
"lf you are i'll such hurry, it is no
matter what wished to say"
Nell opened her brown eyes in sur
prise.
1--WE got to select some lace" she
exclaimed, and Kate can't wait"
"Nei her can l." | retorted shortly,
pulling on my gloves. Then after
moment added: "You think u great
deal of furhelows, don't your"
Indeed dol"
Il am afraid you will have to do
with vastly less when you are mar
red
Nell tossed her head saucily.
"All the more reason should be al
lowed to enjoy those papa gives me-"
That shot went home. l bit my
lips, but managed to keep cool outside,
though inwardly was boiling.
ut Is not too late to beat retreat" |
said coolly. IF you repent your bar.
gam, there Is time to escape"
NelPs eyes grew big with horror at
the idea.
Indeed, it is entirely too late ~ she
cried out. why, everybody knows
1t All our set have cards-I should
die of modification to pu; it OF now
We must go on any way; | have no
fancy for being laughing stock for
every one"
Better be laughed at II week than
miserable for a lifetime" l retorted.
Nell opened her lips to answer, but
just at that moment Kate put her
head III ut 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
when ! was heartily ashamed of N.Y.
self and when Tom, my elder brother
and only living relative, rushed in and
told me that he had left his wife i'll at
homo, so anxious was he to see me
married the last bit of crossness de-
parted, and great wave of tenderness
stole over my heart for the brown
eyed girl whom knew loved me far
better than the elegance of her fathers
home or the costly trifes he could give
her.
Tom was i'll at ease and worried, and