The Warner weekly sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1885, 1885-09-18
AT THE ALTAR.

indeed, betrothed; going to marry an
other tomorrow"
Constance Ashley ives white to the
lips and trembling like a reed. She
loved the man before her with a love
that made her chafe madly against
the morrow's sacrifice. Was it any
thing lessH She was giving acold hand
and colder heart to the man whose
money had saved her father from
bankruptcy.
One year before she had een so hap
ply, for Charles Vincent, her fathers
book keeper, had taught her to love
him with the best love of her young
heart.
Then a position had been offered
him in a distant city that promised
rapid advancement, and he had &C
cepted, leaving Constance free save
for the bonds of loving faith he plac-
ed about her in the hour of their
parting.
81 will work very hard" he said,
when holding her hand in their good
bye. cit may be years before / can
come to you as | could wish to, but /
may carry with me the memory of
your dearface; the toucho of yourhand;
the precious hours Ihave spent with
you; and / will be made stronger by
the thought that Iamnotforgotten by
you,"
"Forgotten?" Constance repeated,
looking up throught tears thatgathered
thickly in her glorious eyes. Never
forgotten; butthought of in everyhour
every moment-with hopes for your
welfare and prayers for your safety.
When you return, Charlie, you will
find that time cannot change mel"
THANK you, dearest" he whispered,
bending to touch his lips to her white
hand. l leave you without afear.
And that was but one year before
the embarrassment, the threatened
failure, that had driven her father al
most wild With fear, and ended, almost
without her realizing what she wasdo-
ing, in the promise of her hand to n
whose generosity had placed the firm of
Ashley & Ashley beyonddanger.
She had not forgotten, had not been
untrue; but a web had been woven
about her from which she could not
free herself; and tomorrow she would
become the bride of Earnest Ririere.
Rumor had brought the information
to Charlie that Constance was promis-
ed to another-about to become a
bride: and he had left his post oflabor
to satisfy himself of the truth of the
report.
The servant had said he could not
see Miss Ashley.
sHTell her / am a very old friend. /
will only detain Miss Ashley a mo-
ment, but | particularly wish to see
her"
And, not knowing who awaited her
Constance had descended to the parlor
Ito meet his cold, half-scornfui eyes
and turn white as acorpse at the sight
of his handsome face and wealth of
accusation.
cit is true" she said, answering his
question simply.
sHThen / have trusted you in vain"
he cried, his eyes taking a look 10 deep
suffering; IT have worked and hoped
and built myfond, foolish castles, while
you were forgetting me in the newlove
you were winning!"
"Charlie, you are very cruel" Con-
stance said in low, broken tones; "you
do not know-how can you? Youdid
not see my father as | did, on the very
verge of despair, given life and hope by
the man who was his friend; you do
not know how ungenerously thatfriend
claimed, as reward for his kindness,
the reluctant hand of my fathers
daughter! Spare me a. single reproach;
/ am sad very ~sad-hearted, Charlie;
now go; / wish-ah, heaven! how I
wish--you had not comet
And she wrung her white hands in
agony; astheyoung manmade amove-
ment toward her he was checked by the
opening door, and Constructs father
entered, bent and white-haired.
"Glad to see you, nay boy" he said,
holding out a cordial hand. ssYouare
going to remain for the wedding, of
course? N~onsense?" as Charlie mutt
tered some word of apology; you
must. Why, it's only q day off, and
my daughter will carryoff the seasons
prize"
Thebrilliant parlors were ablaze with
the glitter of jewels and odorous with
the perfume of hot-house bloom.
There was an actual Crush of the
very creme of the city who were
anxious to behold, for the last time
in her maiden freedom, the fair daugh-
ter of the house.
She came at last, in her flowing
bridal d~raperies, orange buds upon
her, and dainty bridal roses that
we're not whittier than her girlish cheek.
She took her place at the side Of the