Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1883-05-19
stairs she suddenly wbirled round. and

VI pOOI Ill., WltIlOuU Dt anu Hla
and not a chick in the world belonging
to me. I thought it all out last night,
and | am determined l must have you,
and Amelia Squires, and Nellie Waters,
and then the mouth of scandal will be
stopped"
She said it so earnestly that the re-
fusal which was upon Alicc's lips died
away unsaid, and they passed on to the
inspection of the bridal array. The
brocade, with its leg-of-mutton sleeves
and short waist, was sufficiently asthet-
ic and antique for any one, besides be-
ing really elegant The veil (Alice Sc
cretly opined it was primarily an apron)
was OF sheerest muslin, Elegantly en-
broidered. ST
Mahala proceed with exulting volu-
bility to state that the groom would be
splendidly arrayed in crimson velvet
doublet O., black velvet breaches, long
silk stockings, low shoes, with silver
buckles. She said, too, that he would
furnish a suit similar, only of sky-blue,
for Parson French, if he would wear it.
What did Alice think?
Alice had to shut her eyes and bite
her lips at the thought of Parson
French, with his full figure and red
hair, in such u rig.
She. thought he would refuse the
honor; but, when Alice saw Mahala's
blank look of disappointment, she sug-
gested a surplice and bands, as pic
turesque and entirely suitable.
AT this Mahala frightened, and, tax
ing her down stairs, showed her en-
gagement ring, carefully wrapped in
jewelers. cotton, in the china closet;
also a pair of snowy bracelets and a
locket, with his portrait on one side, on
the other, as Mahala explained, "Our
hairs entwined-a symptom of our
hearts,"
And then Alice went home, feeling
like one who has eaten too much of
some oversweet dish.
That night quite an indignation meet
ing was held in Nh. Alston's study,
and twenty-five of Mahala's truest
friends entered upon a solemn compact
to visit and demonstrate with her before
the eventful day.
Accordingly, the bridal preparations
were very much interrupted. First,
Deacon Pratt, then DR.. Clough, then
Captain Rogers, then Parson French,
Mr.. Aston, and q score more came
dropping in, one after another, and the
burden of each was: '.Don't do it. If
you do, secure your money; but, best
Of all, give it up"
Now, Mahala, like the mule and like
many excellent people, could not be
driven. The result was that, with many
tears and lamentations over their pref l.
d;oo che Ky roJ1v IN love ord p,oro
than ever bent on matrimony.
Andnow came the suspicious day. The
first to arrive were two of the brides
maids, Nellie and Amelia. Mahala had
said she didn't care what any one wore
so long as it was a little uncommon.
She begged the favored three to wear
something %''asthetic, antique, OF SYM
bolic." The latter idea seemed to strike
two of the girls favorably. They talked
of personating Night and Morning, or
all three representing the graces, or
Flora, Ceres and Pomona. Finally,
they decided to choose what fancy and
convenience dictated at the time. Nellie,
accordingly, appeared in the character
Of fairy godmother, with scarlet bodice,
striped skirt, opening over a black pet
ticoat, high, pointed hat, and long wand.
Amelia, in a modest suit of dove-colored
cashmere, copied from a painting of the
Landing of the Pilgrims" presented a
really beautiful 'stype of the Puritan
maiden" Alice, the third bridesmaid,
in her fear of too far %outshining the
bride, was positively shabby in an old
muslin, with several darns in the~skirt
and ar old ink-spotin the front breadth.
Her curly hair she had pulled back so
tight it made her eyes water. She was
Immediately summoned to the brides
bower.
"Alice, are there many in the par
lor?"
"Quite a company, Mahala."
"Oh! Alice, l do SO palpitate! I can
ncver go through it before all them
jaundiced eyes. Alice, there's nobody
loves me but Brindlt and old Major;
and | am going to take you three girls
and be married on the barn-foor."
"Why, Mahala Graves!!"
"Why, yes, Idrather be near Brindle
and old Major, that I've driven nearly
thir-a longer time than folks who hate
him So"
1t was in vain to expostulate. Helen
AloIOA WSo llSItll1Cu dU UAC p1LIlOs Will
instructions to keep the company good
natured and assure them the bride would
O o appear.
Accordingly, Parson French; the fairy
godmother; the Puritan maiden; Alice,
in her shabby grwn; and Mahala, buried
in an old waterproof, hurried to the
barn, and there, with her left hand on
Brindle's side, opposite old Majors
stall, Mahala Exchanged vows" as
she phased it and became Mrs. Harting-
ton. Then, leaning on her husbands
arm, returned to the parlor, and re-
ceived hating congratulations and most
portentously dismal good wishes.
Then followed a repast Of cold fowl,
frozen pudding, charlotte ruse, cake,
ice-cream, hot coffee, baked beans,
brown breed, pumpkin-pie, stewed oys-
ters, pan-dowdy and everything else.
And then came farewells, hack,
trunk, satchels, a few flying slippers,
and Mr.. and Mrs. Harrington were off
on their wedding-tour.
About six weeks later Alice was pass
ing Mahala's old home at twilight. She
saw a tall female form moving slowly
and stealthily along from the woods