Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-08-03

servants were Questioned, and 1t was found
fhatthis horse Saadi was gone, and that Guy
had not been seen since morning
As an hour passed an he did not come
grew angry at the thought that Twas the
only one to be annoyed by the detection Of
nv escort, and almost wished something
might happen to him Sally declined to be
married in the absence Of her brother. As
it grew later and later, she sat weeping with
her trademarks, while her fance began to
fear that some serious accident had detained
his friend.
.sOutside the cold was intense, and the
storm ragged with increasing fury; it was one
Of the worse known for years. Inside, as
midnight drew near, q gloom settled over US
oil, which it was impossible to dispel All
thought of going on with the wedding was
abandoned, and we began to organize parties
to search for Guy.
Suddenly we heard low whinny. We
sprang to the great door and flung it open,
and Saadi walked into the hall On his back,
a shapeless mass covered with ice and snow,
was Guy. Lifting him of, the men laid him
upon the sofa and began TO take of the stiff
ened wrappings Sally and chung together,
too much frightened for tears, as we looked
at Guys white, still face.
HAs they opened his coat TO see if his heart
still beat, little package fell to the floor.
But ne was not dead, and after little while
seemed quite himself, though stiff and lame.
As soon as he could stand he felt in his breast
for the fallen package, then seeing it. snatched
it from the floor and presented it TO me.
''You can fancy my feelings, girls, for it
held these," and opening the box, grand
mamma showed pair Of tiny rose colored
slippers,
''As he knelt TO put them on, the guests
stared in amazed silence. Then there was
storm of questions
ayes, he had ridden to T for them,
and would have been back in time, but lost
his way in the storm on the return, went
miles from the right road, and on regaining
it had only strength to clasp his arms about
Saadi's neck and bid him go home.
''Just here Saadi created diversion by
walking up to the bride with the evident in
tention of rubbing his wet nose on her shout
der. He was petted and spoiled to his hearts
content. and to my certain knowledge ate
half the brides cake, for Sally thought moth
ing too good for him. Guy kept US waiting
but a short time longer, and at midnight the
ceremony was at last performed.
Il danced the first dance with Guy, who
made a brave effort to keep time with the
fine new slippers, but was forced to succumb
to WEAKNESS and watch the others. The next
day he was taken i'll and was for weeks
dangerously low with fever caused by ex-
posure on that awful ride.
II never could endure the sight of those
slippers, and only wore them once more. A
year later, at the request of the man who
had risked his life to bring them to me, l
wore them the day we were married"
There was chorus of thanks as grand
mamma stopped. Then the girls, seizing
upon her, begged that she would let them
dress her in the gown Just once more"
After an instant's hesitation she consented,
and as the cleaning brocade draped the
erect and shapely figure, they could almost
fancy that her soft curls were only white
with powder, and that the fire of youth still
glowed in her undimmed eyes
Dolly bent to place a slipper on one pretty
foot, but it was taken from her hand, and
grandpapa, who had entered unperceived,
knelt before the little lady with smile.
How well | remember the first time, dear"
he said softly. LAS l Put this Oh a tear fell
on my hand, another on the slipper-see,
girls, here is the stain"
But the girls laughed incredulously, and
bore off their captive. The light passed from
point to point and glimmered on the rafters,
trunk and cradle as the lamps were borne
down stairs. The last rays flashed in the
eyes of the portraits, the uncounted audi
ence. Then the door closed, and the garnet,
warm and dusty, sweet with the breath Of
herbs, gathering in the memories of many
lives, was left in silence Maya
yina