Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-07-18

lived in case and elegance, he thought
he was never in E nasre cory aNd do
lightful 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 invi-
tation Of her aunt, who was wealthy, to
have the wedding at her homein Geneva.
Mr.. Goodwin reached Barton Mon
day evening, and as the marriage was to
take place Thursday afternoons 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 still
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 the 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 MI. Goodwin the next morning.
1.-The horses have had two fearful
jaunts."
"And so have you," said Alice.
ooh, 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"
Mr.. Goodwin.
''Why, he is the minister" 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 Is fre-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"
''What shall we do?" said Della in de-
spair.
'Why, I'll take the colt and go to
Alcan at once I 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.
81 think it doubtful if he finds one,"
said Alice, dolefully, to her intended;
''for there are not very many and each
one has so many appointments"
"Well, let us hope for the BEST" said
Mr.. Goodwin, quite cheerily, and they
forgot all unpleasant 'might be's'' in
games and conversation.
els that you, EdwardP" whispered
Della as she stole quietly to the door
about two o'clock that night. "What
luck?"
"None at all. Brother Lacey off to a
convention; Mr.. Ellison has got a fu-
neral at just the hour, and MI. Joslyn
is sick a-bed."
"Did you ever! The fates seem
against us?"
The other members of the household,
not sleeping very soundly because of
their anxiety concerning this matter,
were now wide awake, and from their
different apartments expressed their
dismay and CONSERVATION at the now
direful but nevertheless, amusing, pre-
diccament in which they were placed.
''Well, give me a bite, Della, and I'll
try n more. 1 don't like to be beat, -
srld Edward, good naturally, after list
ening to their various expressions of
disappointment, not to say chagrin.
"But where will you go, and what
WITH" inquired Mr.. Goodwin. .It
seems like cruelty to tax either you or
the horses any more"
"Oh, Kit has had quite a rest; and ]
think l a hold out until l 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 a minister at the appointed
hour" And Edward spoke SO as
suredly that all fears vanished and
sleep settled down upon the household
once more.
He went up the river from Barton
guiding his course by the prairie fires
and the flaming straw stack burning
here and there. He reached Maytown,
a little settlement some ten miles from
Barton about four a. M, and refined
his horse in front of Elder Johnston's.
He aroused the family but only to
learn that the good man vas many miles
away and would not be home before
Saturday.
With undaunted courage he then
started for Hickory Grove, some eight
miles east, to obtain, if possible, the
services of Mr.. Elliot, a preacher and
farmer combined, who seemed to dc
very little as either. He was quite con
fident he could secure him, but after an
hours conference he found him Still
dead to avarice and deaf to ~intreaty and
finally left him and pursued his course
southeast to Layton, some ter miles
further. Edward was still determined.
but it must be confessed his ardor wa
somewhat dampened by this last defeat
In the meantime the appointed houl
for the ceremony, three O'Clock. was
drawing near. The invited guests, con.
sisting only of Uncle Johns family and
the Marsh girls, Gas the house was SC
small), were assembled. Della and