Middletown transcript., 1883-03-30
wHYIHAD TWO WEDDING DAYS

Everything had been duly and prop.
erly arranged for our wedding. The
engagement Of Miss Nellie BARLEY to
Mr., Bertram Langley had been an
nounced in the fashion column Of a
leading "society Journal" and the
wedding day had arrived.
l am Bertram Langley, commonly
called Bert and while confess to
being most sincerely and entirely in
love with my little Nell, must confess
[ had been quite annoyed at the persist
ence with which she insisted on grand
wedding.
There was another cause Of annoy
ance, too. Nell's father was rich
man, and as able as he was willing to
furnish his daughter with as much
fnery as she might desire, while [, on
the contrary, was man with his way
still to make in the world.
When l asked Mr.. Bartley's consent
to our marriage, be was at first just a
little inclined to find fault with my
financial condition.
only mention this to show how a
suspicion, once entertained, will return
on the faintest invitation, and not un-
frequently upon none at all for the
time came when Mr.. BARLEY not only
entertained this unjust surmise, but
eagerly hugged this foul thought to his
heart, and grew murderous in that vi
tai organ towards me, Bertram Lang
ley-as innocent man as ever lived.
The day before the one fixed upon
for our marriage, Nell and 1 had our
first quarrel. l called to inform her of
the smallest possible hitch in the church
machinery.
l waited full half an hour in the
drawing room, cooling my heels and
warming my wrath, before Nell rushed
in.
What " hat is it it, Bert Bert p, she asked
breathlessly. "I'm awfully busy ~
A spark is enough to ignite whole
city if it only fall upon highly infam-
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, eff you are in such
hurry, it is no matter what wished to
say.'
Nell opened her lovely brown eyes in
surprise.
"I've got to select some Lace" she
explained, "and Kate can't wait. =
Neither can !" retorted shortly,
pulling on my gloves. Then after a
moment added, You think a great
deal of furbelows, don't you ?''
"Indeed 1 do.''
clam afraid you will have to do
with vastly less wheny are married. "
Nell tossed her head saucily.
"All the more reason I should be
allowed to enjoy these papa gives me. /"
The shot went home. bit my lips,
but managed to keep cool outside,
though inwardly was boiling.
sit is not too late to retreat, !" said
coolly. eff 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 p
she burst out. Why everybody knows
it /! All our set have cards l should
die Of modification to have it put off
now. L have no fancy for being
laughing-stock for everyone"
(" Better be laughed at a week than
miserable for life time" l retorted.
Nell opened her lips to answer, but
Just at that moment Kate, Nell's sister,
put her head in at the door.
"NeIll Nenl excuse me, Bert
1 stayed to hear no more, but turned
on my heel and strobe away.
No sooner had reached my lodging,
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
a great wave of tenderness swept over
my heart for the brown-eyed girl who |
knew was to marry me tomorrow only
because she loved me far better than
the elegance of her fathers home, or
the costly trihes he could give her.
Next morning came, the church was
packed, and I, feeling most uncom-
monty stiff and awkward in span new
suit and speckless gloves, was waiting
in the vestry.
Nellie was to enter on her fathers
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.
It was all very pretty, but almost
knew should make mess Of it and
/ did, with vengeance.
I had requested to be allowed to be
left alone, so as to keep my part in
mind, and for the same reason I went