Los Angeles herald., 1890-12-25

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She pat her lOyal hand in mine and nnur-
INJURED, Uery gently.
handkerchief and hands into her muff
and looked dead at the gray's ears.
AT first l hardly understood that look,
then l was fully satisfied. She really
did love me then, after all, and my ire
at the perfdy of the pair before us woke
sympathetic flash in her. | said moth
ing now. felt she would be comforted
by the commendation of the man she
loved so strangely.
Up the steep we ratified, and straight
ahead of us at the base of the winding
hill stood a little country church, its
graceful spire and old time holdings
standing out in clear cut silhouette
against the white clad hill behind it.
Tom Strengthened himself up, pointed to
the church with his whip and then
without a word let it fall on the sorrel's
fianks. The steaming horses answered
with a rush down the hill, whirled us
Dcob tiiC WnltO ldIQ dilu
drew up at the door of the old parson-
age, lying almost within it. AS we
stopped the sleigh bells shook out
merry marriage chime that called a gen.
tleman into the porch. He was tall,
handsome old man, with forest of gray
beard framing a ruddy face, and a
sparkle in his clear eye that showed him
not all saint.
You are prompt as welcome, my
dear Children he said, as he lifted Miss
Blythe from the sleigh and bent down
to kiss her forehead. "All is ready,
Tom. | got your letter and the license
just in time, and your courier's zeal was
proven by the foam that covered his
horse"
'It was a tough ride over country
from the Bulls Eye" Miss Bette chirped
out with perfect composure, while the
still silent Tom helped the blonde to
alight, ''and you may be sure we man
aged it in II hurry, Mr.. Lindsay. l had
to make frightful love to the old clerk
almost kiss him-before l could get the
paper"
And Miss Bette actually laughed
softly while the wicked black eyes
rested for single second upon my own.
l was absolutely struck dulnb-motion-
less-with one leg over the scraper and
one to the knee in snow drift. The
GOODNESS of that young woman paralyzed
me. The old gentleman laughed.
You are woman of business, Bet"
he said.
Woman of business! Did ever bride
Boomerangs and then boast her prowess
to the parson? Woman of brass. he
meant. But he only added:
The paper is a little irregular after
all, but I'll make it do. There's nothing
wouldn't do for the daughter of my
dear old friend"
Phebus and Cupid! He'd even help
her to an elopement with penniless
boy! Some brilliant reflections upon
the corruption of the church popped into
my mind. but before could frame them
into portable shape they were cut Off by
the clear, sharp voice of that inscrutable
bride elect:
"And this, of course, is Miss Bolton,
and this our first and only groomsman."
So was | introduced to the Rev. DR..
Lindsay.
shook hands very mistily and uttered
something unintelligible. Then before
the awkward boy from the rectory
stables had persuaded himself to take
the horses heads in charge the doctors
wife appeared on the steps in the neatest
of morning toilets. She kissed Tom
and the girls with the most motherly
empressement.
Il have heard of you from Bette" she
said pointedly to me, and then glanced
at that wicked young person.
Once more the dark eyes flashed into
mine for second, and they so magne-
tized me that could scarce resist knock
ing the head that contained them against
that of the rector's wife. By huge
effort, however, mastered the impulse,
and left that lady free to say:
DO take cup of coffee, my dears. 1t
is hot and ready. You will wait break
fast till after the ceremony, but you
really need something hot after your
long ride"
Bette looked at Tom. Tom, who by
this time was very white and immensely
solemn, only shook his head shortly.