The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1884-04-26
COM MERCIAL EPISODE,
BY a. II.

"a sounu Oh reVelry, but moi by night.
The clock has Just struck II, and the
SIN is shining vertically upon the pre-
tentious roof that houses Mr.. Hum
phrey Davidson and family. Beneath
that roof are now complete the extensive
preparations for the marriage ceremony
that is to make the only daughter of the
house Mrs. Thomas Winfield. The
parlor ID full of guests; the perfume of
an elaborate floral decoration peryades
everything; and from certain quarters
OF the establishment proceed the savory
odors of a spread feast; for the wedding
is to be an event.
Upstairs, in the downy environment
OF her own apartment, stands the pivot
OF the occasion In bridal array. The
toilet is marvel in its way; frail
embodiment of monumental expense
and labor, as such things are apt to be.
but petite Miss Alice is SO beautiful in
1t that only churl could bewail either
expense or labor in the presence of sucb
result. She is surrounded by bevy
OF admiring friends of the same sex.
who chatter necessarily, and manifest
their anxious interest by sundry little
touches here and there upon veil or
drspery, for the groom has not yet ar
rived.
Presently it is quarter past the
hour and he has not come vet. but no
account is taken of this circumstance.
Tor who ever heard of a wedding
being celebrated with anything like pre-
clslon In regard to time.
Uncle Peyton pauses at the door to
remark IN locular vein that this "seems
to be one of the occasions when we
ilnger shlvering on the brink and fear
to launch away and to deliver himself
OF numerous malign prophecies that are
hatly contradioted by the look of
aftectlonate interest and unqualified ad-
miration In his eyes.
Another quarter slips away. 1t is now
half-past II and still the delinquent
does not appear. Up the broad stair
way comes the murmur of inpatient
expectancy and the face under the filmv
white veil wears q shade of yexation.
When 1t was nearly O'Clock Mr.. David
son comes to the door and softly calls his
vile. In the hail outside they hold a
consultation, and Alice with alert ewes
upon their faces, divines that something
is wrong. In moment she has separat.
ed the crowd about Der like an arrow.
and IS before them demanding the latest
intelligence, whatever it may be. cit is
postponed, my dear, says her mother,
choking.
That's 1t, my dear - POSTPONED. s"
echoes her father as he stands absently
twlrllng crumpled note around his
finger.
Alice sees the note, and before he can
prevent her, has taken it. She opens it
with breathless eagerness. 1t is soon
read, and runs thus:
II can't do it, uncle-not for twice your fort
une. l have seen her and wonder that Won
could ever ask it of me. Do as YOU please with
the money. I'm off. Your afectouate
nephew, 7. W"
1t IS malicious, inhuman, crushing.
Why did he wait until this moment?
She turns back to the room with a white
face, throws herself upon the lounge in
reckless disregard OF flowers and perish.
able corrections. and lies there with her
face buried III the pillow in an agony Of
humiliation.
By-and-by the situation is communi.
Gated to the assembled friends, who take
their leave, marveling greatly, and &C
nome to speculate for days with greater
or less accuracy upon all that has not
been given them to know.
Where few hours ago there was
laughter, congratulation and anticipa,
uon, all is DOW sorrow, indignation anG
resentment. There is mockerv in The
flowers scattered everywhere. and bitter
lntolerable remembrance in the olor o.
baked meats.
;, LIE AFTERNOON passes, and still Alice
nes with her face among the pillows
,nlnHlnS now 1t must all come out final
"; now everybody will know about thai
brutal note, and how they will pity her.
Nhe wishes she might die now, so thai
Tue tlme would never come for her tc
nut up her head and face the world, with
It's knowledge of this dreadful affair and
us soul-slckenlng commiseration. One
1nouSnt is always fly from
sle scene OF her humiliation and the Of
ncious sympathy of her friends. FiIial
ues, luxurious surroundings, the perils
ana hardshlps of flight, eyerv considera-
tion whatsoever dwindles into invisible.
y IN the presence of this great ind1eni.
w.. her mother comes and sits by her
anu AFTER several hours of remonstrance
and persuasion induces her To 90 TO he'd
but when she comes in the morniner hon.
ing to see her somewhat sootbed sbe
hnds only an empty room and hast
note. -''
It's 2 A. NJ andthe mammoth retail dry
.oous mouse OF Gray Il Gordon begins
" SLOW signs OF life without and within
ror the last half hour a continuous
stream OF statesmen. shop girls, and cash
boys nave been pouring into the great
building like SO many swallows into
CHIMNEY, but that it is the wrong time
IN the day. Shades are raised. oovers
are taken off, and simultaneously If
every part of the house begins a yiror
Gus busting and putting to rights.
The new cashier, a youpo man wifi
ine eyes and pleasant manner. who ba.
peen some weeks in the establishment
comes III and goes behind his desk. AS