Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-11-24

found that his horse, Saadi, was gone, and
that Guy had not been seen since morn
| ing.
Gas an hour passed and he did not
come, grew angry at the thought that l
was the only one to be annoyed by the
Z, detection of my escort, and | almost
wished that 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 brides
maids, 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 worst known for years. Inside,
as midnight drew near, a gloom settled
over US all, which it was impossible to dis
pei. All thought of going on with the
wedding was abandoned, and we began to
organize parties to search for Guy.
Suddenly we heard loud whinny.
We sprang to the great door and flung it
open, and Saadi walked into the hall: on
his back, shapeless mass covered with
ice and snow, was Guy Lifting him of.
the men laid him upon the sofa and began
to take off the stifiened wrappings Sally
| and | chung together, too much frightened
for tears as we looked at Guys white still
face.
"As 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 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.
'Yes, 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
intention of rubbing his wet nose on her
shoulder. He was petted and spoiled to
his hearts content, and to my certain
knowledge ate half the brides cake; for
Sally thought nothing too good for him.
Guy kept US waiting but short time
longer, aud 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 sue
cumb to WEAKNESS and watch the others.
The next day he was taken i'll and was for
weeks dangerously low with the fever
caused from exposure on that awful ride.
never could endure the sight of those
slippers, and only wore them once more
year latter, at the request of the man
who had risked his life to bring them to
me, | wore them the day we were mar
ried."
There was chorus of thanks as grand
mamma stopped. Then the girls, Selling
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 stately figure, they could all
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 slipper on one
pretty foot, but it was taken out of her
hand, and grandpapa, who had entered I'M
perceived, knelt before the little lady with
smile.
"Fairy's slippersr' he said, softly, GLOW
well remember the first time, dear. As 1
put this on, a tear fell on my hand, another
on the slipper-see, girls, here is the
stain ~
But the girls, laughing incredulously,
bore off the captive. The light passed from
point to point, and glimmered on the raft
ers, trunk and cradle. as the lamps were
borne down stairs. The last rays flashed
in the eyes of the portraits, the uncounted
audience. Then the door was closed, and
the garnet warm and dusky, sweet with
the breath of herbs, gathering in the mem
cries of many lives, was left in silence.