The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1882-01-13

'Dcller De laupnteu NJ week tnan
miserable for lifetime" / retorted
Nell opeaed her lips to answer, but
just at that moment Kate put her head
in the door.
"Nell! Nell! Excuse me Bert
| stayed to hear no more, but turne |
on my heel and strode away.
No sooner had reached my hotel
when | was heartily ashamed of myself,
and when Tom, my elder brother and
only living relative, rushed in and told
me that he had left his wife i'll at home.
so anxious was he to see me married, the
last bit of crossness departed, and
great wave of tenderness swept over my
heart for the brown eyed girl whom |
knew was to marry mo tomorrow only
because she loved me far better than the
elegance of her fathers home or the
costly trihes he could give her.
Tom was i'll at ease and worried. and
| know nothing but my marriage or fun
eral could have induced him to leave
home when Lettie was i'll.
Next morning | saw Nellie for mo.
ment only, but the kiss pressed on her
dear little mouth was silent plea for
pardon and a promise for better control
over my temper next time.
Evening came the church was packed
and |, feeling most uncommonly stiff
and awkward in span new suit and
speckless gloves, was awaiting in the
vestry.
Nellie was to enter on her fathers
arm, followed by her bridesmaids and
groomsmen-siX in numbcr-while |
was to enter in the nick of time from
the vestry, the minister from his study,
and meet before the altar.
1t was all very pretty. but I almost
knew | should make n mess of it-and |
| did, with vengeance
| had requested to be allowed to be
alone, so as to keep my part in mind,
and for the reason went early to the
church, not to be stared at and confused,
| for this show affair was not one bit to
my mind.
Just at the last moment Tom came
rushing in, followed by the regular sex
| ton.
I've got a telegram from Lettic,
said Tom, his voice quivering. "She is
worse and | must start at once. Just
time to catch the train. Good by, old
boy! God bless you!'
"Im going too-juSt came to wish
you JOY, Mr.. Bert said the sexton,
who had known me since | was a lad.
Sorry | can't see you married. Ny roads
| hn h,,
with him;" and off they both hurried
the door shutting with sharp click be
hind them.
The time for the arrival of the wed
ding party drew near; advanced to tho
door that opened into the church, de
signing to open it and peep through
1t resisted my efforts. | struggled with
it sharply--no use! the "oor was.locked
Muttering a curse on the stupidity OF
the sexton, | strolt to the outer door
In shutting the door it too had brcom,
locked, and was as fast al fate
Great drops of p"rspiraton stood ou
on my forehead What was to be done
| asked myself the question, and moppeC
my face with my immaculate handker
chief, bnt failed to find the answer,
Thea flew back to the inner door an,
listened. The organ WAS playing gayly
and subdued hush told me that Nelli
was entering on her fathers arm, an,
here | was standing, Gagged like n rat.
Oh, how | tried to open that door
My gloves split, aal the perspiration raj
in rivers down my face and dropped OF
the end of my nose; but not one inc
could budge it.
have wondered since how should
have looked if | had succeeded in burs
Ing open the door, and been suddenl
projected before the creme de In creDl
with limp collar, torn gloves and disteE,
ed eyes | can smile now, but can a
sure you | saw no fun in it then.
| tried the door till positively no hol
remained in that direction. Then tle
again to the outer door and pounde
and even shouted, but to no purpose.
Utterly hopeless, returned to the il
ncr door once more. All was silen
Should | thunder upon its panels an
proclaim my presence and demand to /
''let out?" Nobody likes to look like
fool if he can help it-and | hesitated
| glanced around The windows caugl
my eye--why had | not thought
them? | could at least make my escap
and the ceremony might be delayed, an
consequently awkward still Nell
would not be utterly put to shame. Lik
the mailman | was, seized the tabl,
dragged it to the window, sprang upo
it, and climbed on to the high and ma
row window sill; throwing up the sas
| prepared to leap ont; but | had reel
oned without my host; the cord that hel
the weight was broken, consequent
the moment my hand left the sash Il
window descended with startling rapid
ty, striking me full upon the hoad, an
: knocking me off the narrow sill, dashiu
my head against the sharp corner of Il
table, and at last landing me full lengt
on the floor.
| tried torse; something warm rushc
,, over my face; put up my hand to cle'
my eyes-my hand was covered vii
blood.
l felt giddy and weak, still sta
gered to my feet; then black mist aroi
around me, and knew no more.
This was Thursday eve, Sunday a
ternoon the sexton, returning to his d
q ties, found me lying upon the floor, ha
dead, wholly delirious, my face coyerC
with blood, and a hole in my head lars
enough to let the life ont Of any ma
That mine was spared was because | hi
fallen with the wound down, and Il
soft pile of the carpet acted like lint
staunch the blood.
AS soon as could control my though
| begged to know of Nellie. Poor lit
girl she had been quite overwhelme
When failed to appear Kate's husbar
=, rushed out to inquire of the sexton if
a had seen me- He was positive that
/ had been there, and equally positive tn