St. Landry democrat., 1882-08-12

city if 1t only falls upon highly inHam-
mable material, and word is quite
| enough to raise a furious temper in a
man who is aching to get mad; SO | an
swered, crrtly-
If you are in 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.'
Neither can ~ l retorted, shortly,
pulling on my gloves. Then after q
moment / added: You think great
deal'of ftlrbelows, aon't Eou2'' !,
"Indeed,sI do?'' III &s .,@,
81 am afraid you will have to do
with vastly less when you are mar
Nell tossed her head saucily. /
'All the more reason / should be al
lowed to enjoy these. papa gave me-
That shot went home. 1 bit my lips,
but managed to keep cool outside,
though inwardly was boiling.
1t is not too late to retreat,' [ said,
coolly: IF you repent your bargain,
there is time to escape.''
Nell's eyes grew big with horror at
the idea.
"Indeed, it is entirely too late!'' she
cried out. ''Why, everybody knows it!
All our set have cards-I should die OF
modification to put it OFF nowh We
must go on, any way; have no fancy
for being a laughing stock for every
one.',''~e II II III tE y 81 I'll
Better be laughed at a week than
miserable for a lifetime, I 11etorted.
Nell opened her lips to answer. but
lustta that moment Kate put her head
in at the door, Is a.G s.ss.t.7s - ,:se., -.
"NeH! Nell!, Excuse meBert-''' ~
I stayed to hear no more, but aturned
on my heel and strobe away. 5..9 Is -
No sooner had l reached my hotel
when I was heartily ashamed Of myself;
and when Tom, my elder Brother and
only living relative, rushed in and told
me. he had left his wife i'll at home, so
anxious was he to see me married, the
last bit OF crossness departed and q
great wave OF tenderness swept oEernly
heart for the brown-eyed girl whom
knew was to marry me tomorrow only
because she loved me far better than
the elegance of her father home or the
costly tritles he could give her.
Iom was ill at ease and worried, and
[ knew nothing but my marriage or
funeral could have induced him to leave
home when Lettie was ILL.,. gae aa4r ~
Next morning / saw Nellie for a mo-
ment only, but the kiss lpressed on her
dear little mouth was a silent plea for
pardon, and a promise for better con-
troll over my temper next time.
Evening came-the church was packed
and I, feeling most uncommonly
stiff and awkward in span new suit
and speckless gloves, was awaiting in
the vestry.
Nellie was to enter on her father s
arm. followed by her bridesmaids and
groomsmen-six in number-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 l almost
| knew | should make a mess of it-and |
did, with a vengeance.
| had requested to be allowed to be
alone, so as to keep my part in mind,
and for the same reason went early to
the church, not to be stared at and con-
fused, 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. ..-.
"rve got telegram from Lettie,"
said Tom, his voice quivering. "She is
worse, and | must start at once. Just
| time to catch the train. Goodbye, old
! bowl God bless youn'
"1m going too. just came to wish you
Joy, Mr.. Bert" said the sexton, who had
known me since [ was q lad. ''Sorry l
can't see you married. My roads the
same as your brothers. SO I'll 60 with
him;' and Off they both hurried, the
door shutting with a sharp click behind
them.
The time for the arrival of the we'd
ding party drew near; Iadvanced to the
door that opened into the church, de-,
signing to open it and peep through. It
resisted nv efforts. I struggled with it
sharply, no use. the door was locked!
Muttering a curse on the stupidity of
the sexton, | strobe to the outer door,
In shutting the door it too had become
locked, and was as fast as fate.
| Great drops of perspiration stood out
on nv forehead. What was to- be done?
l asked myself the question and mopped
my face with my immaculate handker-
chief, but failed to find the answer
Then | flew back to the inner door
and listened. The organ was playing
gayly, and subdued hush told me that
Nellie was entering on her fathers arm,
and here | was standing, Gagged like
rat. 49, ~
Oh, how tried to open that door!
My gloves split, and the perspiration
ran in rivers down my face and dropped
off the end Of my nose; but not one inch
could / bulge it. r
7 have wondered since how should