The Mineral argus., 1883-08-23
PUNCTUALITY.

m~arried-nay, evon before. Ihad been
engaged 10 Charley long enough to
learn his weaknesses pretty well. and as
our wedding day approached 1 began to
tremble.
Charley" I said as we parted the
night before, "don't be late tomorrow
whatever you do"
''Good heavens, Lelial What do you
take me for2" said Charley. eff ever a
man wal ready for anything"
(Which you w we're since | knew
YOU" / said. 81 believe you would
manage to be late for your own funeral"
That would not depend quite so
much upon my own violition;" said
Charley laughing. make your mind
easy, little woman; ! shall be in time"
I WAS by no e convinced of 1t,
but / could say no more. At first | had
thought Of being married in the English
stvle. but / did o fancy the idea Of
waiting at the chancel rails for Charley.
The only safe thing seemed to be to Sc
cure him before we left the 6use.
Two O'Clock was the hour fixed for the
wedding, and as the time approached,
Of course l was in o turmoil. L was sure
that the hair dresser was late, but Aunt
Fan convinced me that the appointed
hour had not yet arrived. He came
promptly on the stroke of the clock,
then all was hurry and worry until my
toilet was completed. I was ready, from
the spray Of orange blossom which fast
ened my veil to the rosette on my slip
per: but Charley had not come.
'It'e too bad" ! said. "He promised
80 faithfully TO be here in time. Do send
somebody 10 look him up."
"Dear ehildf" cried Aunt Fan, in ter
Tor, "Whatevory you dO,don't cry. Blush
ing cheeks are all very well for a bride,
but blushiDg eyes ale a decided mistake.
There is plenty Of time. 1t is only hall.
past one"
''But be might be here," l cried. 81
$40 ready, and why not he? It's too
bad?"
One great tear splashed down upon
she brocsded satin Of my dress. That
frightened me, I resolutely repressed
the rest while Aunt Fan carefully dried
the spot with her lace handkerchief. II
wal completely effaced, but still Charley
did not come. Then l fell into stony
despair.
"he won't come al all. There will be
no wedding, and 1 shall be the laughing
stock Of everybody"
My dear Leila" said Aunt Fan, 1--WE
are not in England. You can be mar
ried at any time, and it is not 2 yet"
But Just on the stroke" l said.
Just then the cuckoo clock shouted
out its two absurd notes. A moment af-
forwards the dOor bell rang, and Char.
ley walked in as calm and composed as
81 bad not been enduring agonies.
"Charleyl Charley how could your"
cl:ed and then stopped, and hit my lip
20 keep back the tears which rushed to
my eyes.
what is III" said Charley, looking
utterly bewildered. Instead of looking
rshaIed, when he understood the state
y slAlrs, he began 10 laugh. my deai
"a a." be said "the clocks we're striking
tvo as / came up the steps. l said /
yould he in time and ] am"
The wedding journey was not a peri
cd Of unalloyed bliss TO me. Charley
never missed a train or a boat, but he
was never more than just in lime. so
that ! was kept IA constant terror. To
the hours for meals he paid not the
slightest attention. When 1 reminded
him of them, he merely inquired if
was hungry. If l could not say that
was, be laughed and said: '"Chen why
hurry? WHAT is the use Of being in a
hotel If we cannot take our timer" As
II punctualIty were not a virtue n it
self
It was q relief 70 me when we came
home and settled down at last to begin
life in earnest. We had had little
-.~.-,T nkaul 4kA EarRfohfn0 ~ OryN
house. / wanted q clock in every room
20 which Charlie decidedly objected.
Time was made for slaves" he said.
"Why should ! be constantly reminded
Of nv bonds? When / am down town.
] must be puDctual and energetic, and
score Of other things. i come home fol-
relaxation, and / want to forget all an
noyances. Have q clock In the kitchen
by all means, and put one, il you choose
IN the servants bedroom. For the rest
we have our watches, and wtat possible
need have we for moTe?'
l yielded, but / made up my mind
then which Of Charles faults, was like
ly 70 give me the most trouble.
Charley was always good-natured;
will say that OF him. On the whole
though / am not sure that that was thu
most agggravating part ofit Away
made 3 point Of being ready before the
time, when we were going anywhere
hoping thst my silent example wouls
have its effect, but it was Of no use
What going already, little woman
Charlie would say. Then pulling out hi
watch and looking at il: ooh, we neeC
not start for an hour yet; plenty o
time"
Then he would throw himself into
chair and rtttie awav about anything o
nothing. while 1 felt myself CROWN