River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1882-10-05
TWO WEDDING DAYS.
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 10 the fashion columns of a
leading society journal, and the we'd
ding day had arrived.
am Bertram Langley-commoD
called Bertrand, while | confess to be
most sincerely and entirely in love
with my little Nell, l must add | had
been quite annoyed about our mar
rage, first at the persistence with
which she insisted upon a grand we'd
ding.
/ hate fuss and parade, and have an
old-time notion that marriage rehear-
sal giddiiy and eventually solemnized
before q crowd of gossiping, gaping
people is robbed of all its sweet purity.
Then, too, the trousseaul The whole
business is nuisaucel Excuse the big
word, but my feelings are strong on
that point. What on earth woman
wants of clothes enough to last five
YEAR,, and gewgaws more than she can
ever hope to use, never could see; UNI
less, indeed, she entertains a horrible
suspicion that the new firm may refuse
W lulIiSu u ilCbh tADpAJs
It's all right, | suppose, since they all
do it (no slang intendedl, but it was
trying time for me, can tell you. |
could scarcely get a glimpse of Nell
she was so busy with dressmakers, mill
liners, etc; and when | did see her she
was in such q rafting hurry to be off
to keep an appointment with some
workwoman or other that | actually
grew little savage.
For a month before We were to be
married | believe never entered the
house once but Kate, Nell's sister,
rushed into the room with ar
excuse me. Bert but Nell Is wanted
a 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; Nelps father was rich man,
and as able and as willing to furnish
his daughter with as much finery as
she might desire, while /, on the con-
trary, was a man with his way to still
make in the world.
True, | had q fair income and fair
prospects, but | could not hope to give
Nell as luxurious home or as elab-
crate a wardrobe as her papa provided,
at least, not for some years; but could
afford to support 81 wife, and loved
Nell with all my heart.
When | asked Mr.. Bartley's consent
to our marriage, he was at first just a
little inclined to find fault with my
financial condition. An older man,
with well.secured fortune, would have
suited him better. He had most un-
wholesome dread OF fortune-huntera,
and even went so far as to have mild
suspicion that l might be just bit in
terested in that way, but all that wore
off in that time, and we were on the
best of terms.
only mention this to show how a
suspicion once entertained will return
on the faintest invitation, and not IN
frequently on none at all, for the time
came when Mr.. Barley not only enter
tanned this unjust surmise but eagerly
Rugged this foul thought to his heart,
and grew murderous in that vital organ
toward me-Bertram Langley-as in
nocent man as ever stepped.
The day before the one fixed for oTr
marriage, Nell and | had our first tiff
| called to inform her of the smallest
possible hitch in the church ma
chinery. 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 out).
Possibly she might have some instruc-
tions 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 Berl?' she asked breath
l:ssly. 81 am awful busyp
A spark is enough to ignite whole
city if it only falls ON highly inflam-
mable material, and a word IS quite
enough to raise furious temper IN a
man who is aching to get mad; so l
answered curtly:
'sIf YOU are in such hurry, it is no
matter what wished TO say"
Nell opened her brown eyes in sur
prise.
ave got to select some lace" she
exclaimed, and kate can't wait"
''Nei.her can |, retorted shortly,
pulling on my gloves. Then after a
moment added: "You think a great
teal of furbelows, don't your
''Indeed dol"
81 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. | bit my
lips. but managed to keep cool outside,
though inwsrdly was boiling
-, too late tn heat - /
said coolly. eff you repent your bar
gain. there Is time to escape"
Nelrs eyes grew big with horror at
The idea.
'Indeed, it is entirely too late I" she
cried out. "Why, everybody knows
it! All our set have cards. should
die of modification to put it Of now
We must so on any way; have no
fancy for being laughing stock for
every one"
Better be laughed at week than
miserable for lifetime" retorted.
Nell opened her lips to answer, but
Just az that moment Kate put her
head in at the door.
"Nen! Nell ! Excuse me, Bert"
l stayed to hear no more, but turned
on my heel and strooe away.
No sooner had l reached my hotel
when ] was heartily ashamed of my
self; and when Tom, my elder brother
and only living relative, rushed in and
told me that be had left his wife i'll al
home. so anxious was he TO see me
married, the last bit of crOssuess 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 father:
home or the costly tribes he could give
her.
Tom was i'll at ease and worried, and
/ knew nothing but my marriage Oh
funeral could have induced him tC
leave home when Lettie was i'll.
Next morning saw Nellie for a mo-
ment only, but the kiss hat pressed
on her dear little month WAS a silent
plea for pardon, and promise for bet