Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-08-05

not go to the wedding in those old slippers.
Turning just then l saw Guy Burton in the
doorway and fed to my room, where l
sobbed till tired out Soon heard a horses
feet on the ice, as Guy rode of, and
thought angrily of standing up with him
that night in my old white satin slippers
Guy was Sally's only brother-older than
herself. l had thought him cold and re-
served lately, though we had been good
friends in the days when he took me coasting.
But be had been at college for four years
and l had seen little of him, except that
he always seemed to be about, book in hand,
during the last few weeks when l had been
to see the girls.
Mother came to console me, and by s
o'clock was in pleasanter frame Of mind,
though painfully conscious of the old slip
pcrs, on which I could not look with equa-
nirnity.
Arriving at the Burtons found the girls
in a great futter. There was the usual num-
Der Of things to be done at the last minute,
so it was only at the hour Of the ceremony
that we began to look for our escorts. All
were ready but Guy, and be WIS not to be
found In tho general confusion his absence
had been unnoticed
=
last minute said Mrs. Burton, in a worried
tone, looking into the darkness outside, for .
heavy storm had come up.
"We waited in growing uneasiness 6 the
servants were questioned, and it was found
that bis horse Saadi was gone, and that Guy
had not been seen since morning.
"As an hour passed an he did not come I
grew angry at the thought that was the
49, H.. s1f. -
my escort, and l 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 bridesmaids, while her fance began to
fear that some serious accident had detained
his friend
Outside 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
all, 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 fung it open,
and Saadi walked into the hall. On his back,
a shapeles1mass covered with ice and snow,
was Guy Lifting him off, 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
Gas they opened his coat to see if his heart
still beat, little package fell to the floor.
But he was not dead, and after little while
seemed quito 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 II 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.
LAS he knelt to put them on, the guests
stared in amazed silence Then there was a
storm of questions.
Eyes, 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 hero 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 short time longer, and at midnight the
ceremony was at last performed.
Il danced the first dance with Guy, who
made 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
sjxr1 Loo wit NV --
posure on that awtJ 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,
wore them the day we were married"
There was q chorus Of thanks as grand.
mamma stopped Then the girls, seizing
upon her, begged that she would let then,
dress her in the gown lust once more. il
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 | put this on tear fell
on my hand, another On the slipper-see,
girls. here is ths stain"
But the girls laughed incredulously, and
bore OF their captive. The light passed from,
point TO point, and gliInmered on the rafters,
trunk and cradle as the lamps were borne
down stairs. The last rays flashed in the
eyes Of tie portraits, the uncounted audi
ence. Then the door closed, and the garrett,
warm and dust sweet with the breath of
herbs, gathering in the memories Of many
lives, was left in silence-Demorest's Maya
zine.