St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1884-07-12
..wbewr And sncb heavy roadsm


time being forgotten in the happy
/ greetings and the tempting meal await
ing them.
While they are at the table we will
give tho reader little better introduce
ton to Mr.. Goodwin. He was a thirty
ing young merchant in town IN North
ern illinois, and great favorlte or
''catch" in society. Now the Grahams
had an aunt Geneva, and it was while
Alice was spending winter there that
Mr.. Goodwin first met her and was
| charmed with her simple, unpretending
ways, and in the language of the disap-
pointed belle of the town, she becamea
confirmed Grahamite."
Although Mr.. Goodwin had always
lived in ease and elegance, he thought
| he was never in a more cozy and de-
lirhtful home than the Grahams, and
that he never ate more delicious food
than there; and he told Alice several
times that evening that he would have
missed half the pleasure of their mar
rage had she accepted the urgent lnvl-
tation Of her aunt, who was wealthy, to
have the wedding at her home IN Geneva.
Mr.. Goodwin reached Barton Mon
day evening, and as the marriage was to
take place Thursday afternoon there was
no time to be lost, and accordingly he
and Edward started Wednesday morn
ing before day-break for Clarion to OBJ
tain the proper license. Though the
day was beautiful the roads were sui
heavy from the rain Of the past week
and as the horses were not very brisk
after their fifty miles drive of the pre-
vious day, they did not return until
evening.
During the long day tie girls had
been very busy putting the finishing
touches to the house and packing
Alice's trunk, and at night all seemed
ready.
81 trust all will now be clear sailing
said Mr.. Goodwin the next morning.
THE horses have had two fearful
jaunts. ="
''And so have you" said Alice.
''Oh, it will do me good.
| During the afternoon Mr.. Goodwin
strolled over the farm with Edward and
made acquaintance of the Barton mer-
chant; saw the stage come and go, and
obtaining the Grahams' mail returned
to the house.
| did you ever see the like of this,
girls" exclaimed Della as she read the
letter just brought "Mr. Harrison is
very i'll. and his wife writes he will not
be able to be here tomorrow"
.'And who is Mr.. Harrison?" asked
Mr.. Goodwin.
'sWhy, he is the minister, 7 said Alice
scarcely knowing whether to laugh or
cry over this dilemma.
/ well, are there not others near by?
With US they are as thick as tire-fiies in
june"
/ ..None nearer than Alcan, twelve
miles from here. And besides Mr.. Har-
rison buried father and mother, and is
a very dear friend of ours. y
ssWhat shall we do?" said Della in de-
| spair.
s.!Yhy, I'll take the colt and go to
/ Alcan at once. | can get back in the
/ night And the minister will have time
to reach here and Edward suiting the
/ action to the word was off for Alcan.
Il think it doubtful if he finds one," "
said Alice, dolefully, to her intended;
s'for there are not very many and each
one has SO many appointments.
s'Well, let lis. hope for the best, said
Mr.. Goodwin, quite cheerily, and they
forgot all unpleasant might be's'' in
games and conversation.
'sIs that you, Edwards" whispered
Della as she stole quietly to. the door
! about:tWo o'clock that night, what
luck2o
syone at all. Brother Lacey off to q
convention; Mr.. Ellison has got q fu-
neral at just the hour, and Mr.. Joslyn
is sick AIDED,
IBID you ever! The fates seem
against us?n
4 The other members Of the household,
not sleeping very soundly because OF
Z their anxiety concerning this matter,
were now wide awake, and from their
different apartments expressed their
dislnaY and CONSERVATION at the now
direful but. nevertheless, amusing, pre-
diccament in which they were placed
well, give me bite, Della, and I'll
try once more. dom like to be beat, :
said Edward, good naturally, after list
ening to their various expressions OF
disappointment, not to say chagrin.
s'But where will you 60, and what
with?'' inquired Mr.. Goodwin. ut
seems like cruelty to tax either you or
the horses any more"
tOh, Kit has had quite a rest; and I
think can hold out until get a Dom
inie,' and Edward ate most heartily
but hurriedly, and said as he went out,
'.You can get on your wedding gar
ments and be ready, for I intend to be
here with q minister at the appointed
hour. md Edward spoke so as
. | cIIyad1yy fhat all fnars vanished and
s3eGla settled down upon the household
onc6emore.
i He went up the river from Barton
/ | guidisg his course by the prairie fires
and pc flaming straw Efack burning