Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1885-10-03

| know. ones only gong 10 sJay
week or SO, 10 keep Mrs Saunders com
pany after we're gone"
"a week ?" Wallace repeated. "You
don't suppose | could stand it for a
week !? shall start up to the lake the
day after tomorrow.
"How horrid of you !" said Belle. 81
was just depending on you to make
things nice for Kate"
"When you find me making things
nice for girl with red hair" said
Wallace, as he rose with a yawn, you
may shoot me on the spot p
At four o'clock the next afternoon,
the Saunders house was in state Of
excitement, from the basement where
the foreign caterer was flying about
among his hampers, and firing rapid
and confusing instructions at the color
ed walters and Mrs. Saunders cook, to
the second story where in one room the
bride was taking last survey of her
dazzling toilet in long glass, with her
bridesmaid lowering over her, and
where in another the groom was walk
ing up and down with nervousness
common to persons in like positions,
while his best man lounged against the
dressing. case, and famed himself tran
gully
"You won't be able to get through
the ceremony, if you keep on like this
Sig" the latter remarked, with calm
observation of his friends AGITATION.
81 shouldn't want to be married
every day." said Sig, wiping his pale
face, as my collar straight? Have
you got the ring all right ?"
"Here you are!' responded Wallace
producing the little gold band. Il Sig
ismund, take thee'-Why don't they
hurry? I'm crazy to see Miss Carroll
ton Carrot-top-What's her name?
She had headache and wasn't visible
when called this morning, you know"
They're coming" said the bride
groom, looking through the open door,
and soomthing his hair hastily Come
on, Ryder"
Two white robed figures hoated out
of the room across the hall, and met
them half way.
"How do we look, Sig?' said the
bride, gaily lifting her snowy bouquet,
with it's white satin knot, to be smelled.
where's papa-oh, here he comes
Give mamma your arm, Sig. Oh, Kate
I'm forgetting to introduce you. Miss
Carrolton, Mr.. Ryder There now
come on"
She took her fathers arm, exchanged
a wicked smile with her bridesmaid as
the latter bowed TO the groomsman,
hand descended the stairs. :
Wallace Ryder bowed too, with
grace for which he was noted and
raising his eyes to bis companion,
found it suddenly impossible to open
his lips, or to move.
He had seen great many pretty
girls in the course OF his experience,
but he had never seen one so charm
ingly lovely as the girl before him.
He forgot that he must offer her his
arm and follow the others down stairs !;
he forgot everything in the mere pleas
ure of standing still and looking at
her
Red hair? 1t was beautiful shade
of rich, dark auburn. A turned-up
nose -? freckles eyes Of no particular
color? Hers was the prettist, straight
est piece Of rctrousse loveliness he had
ever seen. Perhaps, on close examina-
ton, there were a few faint specks
across its bridge; but they only added
to its charm. Her eyes were big and
bright and long Il shed but were they
blue or grey-or a wonderful mixture.
The object of his Ease mated g ne
raised her big bunch of pink roses to
her sweet lips to conceal spreading
smile; and putting a hand lightly up
on his arm, hurried him after the others
who were halfway down stairs.
The big rooms below, empty of all
save scattering Of aunts and uncles
and cousins-the ceremony was, Of
course, to be private, and was to be
followed Immediately by the reception
were filled with the heavy scent of
flowers.
There were flowers everywhere -bou
quets in every possible place, a floral
bank hiding the fireplace, huge bell
Of waxen blossoms for the bridal party
to stand under
The groomsman, with his eyes on
the charming face at his side, grew
more and more obivious to everything
else.
He was not aware that the clergy
man was advancing to meet them was
prononncing the opening Dearly be-
loved" until he felt gentle push from
the hand ON his arm, and saw Miss
Carrolton taking her place gracefully
at Bellies side.
The ceremony proceeded, but the
groomsman. it is feared, was not much
impressed with the solemnity of the
occasion.
He was not, in fact, listening. He
was half head taller than the groom,
Miss Carrolton was taller than Belle !;
it was not difficult, therefore, to con-
tinue to gaze at her over their heads
and he did it.
A nudge from Sig. Oh, yes, the ring I
He drew it out absently, and went
on looking at the bridesmaids lovely
profile.
81 pronounce that they are man and
wife p
The young man felt sudden wild
wish that it were he and Miss Carol.
ton to whom the clergyman spake the
words.
The ceremony was concluded; the
benediction had been pronounced.
Miss Belle Saunders was Mrs. Sigis-
mund Maynard
Carriages were already rolling up to
7