The Princeton union., 1891-01-29

''Ihanatzs, dear Mrs. Lindsay, but we
prefer the marriage first, and then we'll
all feel more comfortable to eniov vonr
nice things" 49, ~ ~,
Feel more comfortable! Could she
feel more comfortable? didn't wonder
any longer that Tom had yielded when
'sshe planned the whole affair."" Sncb
GOODNESS would overcome any man. Bnt
couldn't but admire her pluck, though,
The rector tucked his wife under his
arm and led the way over the crisp path
We followed into the side door of the
church, where two candles blinked upon
the reading desk and threw the rest of
the building into still more dismal dark
ness.
just before we reached the door, Miss
Blythe pressed my arm half nervously.
and looked into my face with more of
hesitation than she had yet shown at
anything.
II ought to explain" she said softly.
'Iom told me how you''-
L looked at that girl. There was no
need for speech-that look was enough,
With sort of hslf sob her face dropped
In her hands in what I could only feel
was becoming shame.
In the aisle Tom stopped, turned a,
CHASTITY face to me, while his white ips
moved in soundless effort at speech.
He extended something in a hand that
shook plainly. Miss Blythe held OUT
hers-lt was steady as that of a practiced:
duel1st-took the something and pressed,
it into my fingers.
1.-The ring" she whispered.
TOOK 1t passively. By this time was;
completely conquered. A young person
Who could plan an elopement, arrange
every detail herself, choose her avowed
lover for sole witness, and finally wake
the groom at midnight, had power to
startle me no further
AS we approached the chancel let 20
the brides arm mechanically and ranged
up at Toms right side. Forbearance
was leaving me fast. My boasted
strength had all gone long ago; was
wandering in my mind and weak in my
knees. [ was dead beat. But for pure
shame I should have rushed from the
church and wallowed abjectly in the
snow without. When we all dropped on
our knees could not strangle down the
sob that burst from my heart, and the
bitterness Of my spirit found vent in
anything but the utterance of the prayer
the time and place called for How long
we knelt have no idea. It light have
been seconds, it might have been hours.
Somehow I found myself again standing
up, clutching the chancel rail for sup
port, while the tall form of the rector
seemed miles away, and his words came
dulled to my ears through boom in
them like that of angry surf.
l could think, hear, feel nothing. I
had but one consciousness, that I was
wretched-wretched
Toms tremulous responses fell mean
lngless upon my ear, and yet, through
all my agony, I listened with strained
intensity for the words in which she was
to speak herself his.
Those words never came-only soft.
murnlur, as of the spring breeze. Even
in that supreme moment of agony felt
a tender, yearning pride that all the
woman in her was not dead-that it had
at last been touched, even in the depths,
by the solemnity of the sacrifice at which
she held part.
The doctors hands were laid upon the
welded pair.
It was done!
l staggered alone into the glaring SUM-
light on the church yard snow.
j.
AS we dashed down the main street of
Piketon at 10 a. N. that day, our sleigh
bells screamed with rollicking jollity
that brought many face to door and
window
Mrs. Lindsay's wedding breakfast had
been Of the very best, and the bridal
party, placking appetite out of the inev-
liable, enjoyed it hugely. Even after
the clear coffee and feathery wafies
could tempt no longer, they had lin
gered to listen to the rectors genial flow
Of talk
| Mayor Blythe was just mounting his
sober old horse as we dashed into his
avenue at a slashing trot
| ''Hello!'' he cried, arresting one foot
half way over the beast. Back so soon?
And you, too, Anna? Why, we will
Lave OU! uluuOT mere, aICGr
all, then!"
ooh, darling papa! You'll forgive US?
Now promise you will!' and Bette
bounded from my side and threw her
arms round the chief magistrate of Pike
ton.
Forgive you, puss! Why, of course
will. But for what?"
''Oh, papa, he's just the dearest fellow
in the world! And he couldn't help it.
Twas all my fault, wasn't it now?" She
turned to me-
"Not for the life of him!'' cried, slap
ding Tom on the back with wild hilarity.
"He deserves the very best wife in the
land. Mr.. Blythe, and I'm sure he's
found her!" Here l kissed the brides
hand with a fervor that smacked again
in the frosty air.
"Wife! What do you mean?" cried
the mayor, descending rapidly from his
saddle.
''Now, papa, don't be impatient"
"Impatient, the devil! You'll drive
me wild! Here"-this to me-"you seem
to have your wits left. What does the
girl mean?"