The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1889-08-08
THE FATE OF AN USHER.


sach an snomsly can exists; the time lal
10 the evening when confidence iinds eAsi
%, eIpresson, the couple we're the bou
doris owner. 10 neglige compounded I
dress clothes and smoking jacket. and th
friend Of bis bosom, somewhat similarly q
tired, With the comfortable sbom 10 aiion {
cigarette bei~eeo bis 6ogers.
just let me read II 10 you again, sal
be Of the smoking jacket. strsishtenin
himself 10 bis chair. and taking . worn
looking paper iro'a the table. Some,hin
may sugges, Itself TO you. ! want to hav
]. all right. you know, so tbat when th
notice is mentioned shall be ready with
good suggestion. Nov, then. listen: Nil
Ter -Waldron. -0n Wednesday. the Is
inst, at the Church OF the Seven Angels
by the Rish. Reverend Arthur st. Johl
Forbes. ID. D.. assisted by the Reverend
Francis Willard Mason. George NorthruI
Miller and Adsline Bell. daughter Of tb,
late Msior.General Sylvester wsldror
United stated Army. How is III Does !,
go?
Go? | should think soy All those cap
itsls will sparkle like diamonds 10 the sun.
Bat, Miller, | wish you would count me
oat Of the affair How many weddings do
you snpose have played usher for this
spring. Six--no less.
Well, make ii seven. There's luck in
o Id numbers
There wouldn't be in this case. / was
just ready to swear of from all social dis.
sipations, and go into training until fall
for the sake OF my b:alth. There's Green
he's good fellow; have him.
Miller shook his head. won't have
Green nor anybody else, he said, clasping
his hands behind bis head and throwing
himself back in his chair. I'll have you
I'm sorry il you're feeble. | wish you
could be best man. There's plenty to get
and little to do 10 that situation; but Ada's
brother = confound himl-I had to ask
him.
OF course. don't grudge him the
honor; but you know Wednesday is drill
night for me, and
I'll pay your fine.
Hang the fine
With pleasure; but il you don't mind
the fine, I'm sure / don't see why you
mind cutting. They will work you harder
than ! shall. won't oblige you TO carry
3 gun.
Thanks. / am equal to the gun l be
lieve.
I'll tell you what il is. Brook, you have
been IN no end Of sulk since tbsre was a
doubt about Miss Howsrd's being maid OF
honor. must say l think it's shabby Of
you to desert me on that account. Still, / |
will be magnanimous. and tell you the
news, although it would serve you right
Il didn't. She has accepted, after oil;
ner father has consented to her coming 10
own for the occasion. Why be wanted to
refuse at all l can't imagine. But il is like
him. everybody knows what be is.
Brooks laughed With a more interested
manner than be had shown heretofore. !
lon't. he said; what is he?
Why, haven't you met him?
Yes, but only once or twice. and then
lot for more than minute. He is hand
ONE men.
Oh, iron-gray hair gives any man dis.
inguished look, and he is tall and straight
'hich helps out the idea. but be is q pei
ect tyrant l have heard that be is posi-
Ively cruel to his daug ghter that be bought
his place out Of town purposely 10 keep
er shut up. and that he won't let . man
,ok at her. Now there was Radford. II
GEMS that he went out there to offer Miss
Toward his hand and heart, and has fairly
ashed of the place by bis host 4
Sensible man. Who told trad 9
,rd?
~" A"'" ~ was toihs huuil lnhi
rceptipg financially, Radford is no, much !
catch. He hasn't as much strength
character as little wee monkey; but :
lust say | think that ne might have bJen t
eclined with. thanks. suppose it sounds
eartless, but peculiar advantages belong /
girl who hasn't auy father. 4
Brooks rose to bis feet and dropped his (
garette end into receiver; then turning b
D animated countenance toward bis host. Il
0 grasped his hand and shook il warmly. /,
Il see You through, Miller. be said. lift
kes the last drop OF my failing consti
Ition. d
After this the wedding preparations went a
errily on. One evening. however. hard 7
week before the great day. the happy q
'idegroom sought out bis friend Brooks,
ith wrinkle on his brow aud troubled n
mpathy 10 his manner It's sll up, old
an, he said, with desperate frank =,
'ss. y
Good heavensl what do ysu mesn9 ex
aimed Brooks. sghast. A
Miller laughed little. oh, it isn't as 1,
d IS that. be said. only Miss Howard o
Mt come; she has sprAined her ankle 7
icky it was no worse. She was thrown
,m her horse. Her father must bs IN II
lot 10 let her ride horseqack. Isuppose Ia
wanted 10 break ber neck. Il
Brooks laughed In spite OF bis dissp cl
intment Oh, you're not yourself at ct
(, Miller dear. Miller dear. be said; and q,
all blame to you. However. ss you say ii
is lucky il was no worse. Ia
Yes; but what shall you do;
|, Ishall send her some flowers, and O
te 10 cay ihst ] sm sorry. f
''iller Looked relieved. And you'l be 81
hand yourself all the ssmei be cried al