Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1891-10-10

while / live, will DO avenged"
A bleeding Christ suspended on his
cross gazed Ut mo reproachfully with
long enduring eyes Of deathful anguish
eyes that seemed 70 say, 20 erring
man. that tormenteth thyself with pas.
sing passions, shall not thlnc own end
approach speedily?-and what comfort
wilt thou have In thy last hour?"
And inwardly answered, 'None! No
shred OF consolation can ever again be
mine--no Joy, save fulfilled revenge!
And this l will possess though the
heavens should crack and the earth split
asundcr! For once woman's treacherv
shall meet with punishment-for once
such strange, uncommon justice shall be
done"
And my spirit wrapped itself again in
sombre, meditative
silence. The sunlight fell gloriously
through the stained windows;-the blue,
gold. crimson and violet shafts OF daz-
cling radiance glittered In lustrous flick
ering patterns on the snowy wilderness
OF the marble altar, and slowly, softly,
majcstically, as though an angel stepped
forward, the sound Of music stole on the
incense laden mir. The unseen organist
played O sublime voluntary OF Pales
trino's, and the round harmonious notes
came falling gently on one another like
crops from q fountain trickling on fow-
erS.
thought Of last wedding day, when
stood in this very place, full OF hope, in
toxicated with love and Joy. when Guido
Ferrari had been by side, and had drunk
in for the poisoned draught and tempta.
ton from the loneliness Of my wife's
face and form; when ], poor fool, would
as soon have thought that God could lie
us that either OF those whom i adored
could play me false, drew the wedding
ring from my pocket and looked at it
II was sparklingly bright and appeared
new. Yet 1t was old-it was the very
same ring had drawn of my wifes
finger the day before; 1t had only been
FURNISHED afresh by skilled jeweller
and showed no more marks OF wear than
II Il had been bought that morning.
The great bell OF the cathedral doomed
out eleven, and as the last stroke swung
from the tower, the chapel doors were
flung more widely open-then came
the gentle rustic Of trailing robes, and
turning, / beheld my wife. She APP
preached, leaning lightly on the arm OF
the old Chevalier Mancin:, who, true to
his creeds of gallantry, had accepted
the post OF paternal protector TO the
bride on this occasion; and l could not
well wonder at the universal admiration
that broke in suppressed murmurs from
all assembled. as this most fair master
piece Of the DEVILS creation paced slowly
and gracefully up the isle She wore
dress of clinGing white vel
vet made with the greatest SIM
plicity, q lace veil. priceless in value and
line as gossamer, draped her from head
10 foot-the jewels / had given her
flashed about her like little scintillating
points OF light, In her hair. At her waist
on her breast and uncovered arms.
Being, as she deemed herself, Wild
ow, she had no bridesmaids; her train
was held up by Q handsome boy clad in
the purple and gold costume Of the six
teenth century page-he was the
youngest son Of the Duke ID Marina.
Two tiny girls OF five and six years OF
age went before her, strewing white
roses and lilies, and stepping dainty
backward as though in attendance on a
queen; they looked like two fairies who
had slipped out OF Q midnight dream, In
their little loose gowns Of Rold-colored
plush, with wreathS Of meadow daffodils
on their tumbled curly hair. They had
been well-trained by Nina herself,
for on arrival at the altar
they stood demurely, one on each side OF
her, the pretty page occupying his place
behind, and still holding up the end OF
the velvet train with charming air OF
hauteur and seif-complacency.
The whole cortege was picture In Its
way, a. Nina had meant II to be: she
was fond Of artistic efect9 She smiled
languishinGly upon me as she reached
the altar, and sank on her knees beside
me In prayer. The music swelled forth
with redoubled grandeur, the priests and
acolytes appeared, the marriage service
commenced. AS placed the ring
on the book I glanced furtively at the
bride her fair head was bent demurely,
she seemed absorbed In holy medita-
tions. The priest having performed the
ceremony OF sprinkling it with holy
water, / took II back. and set it for the
second time on my wiie's soft white little
hand-set It In accordance with the
Catholic ritual. first on the thumb, then
on the second finger, then on the chird,
and lastly on the fourth, where / left 1t
in It's old place, wondering as ] did so,
and murmured, "IR Nomine PATHS ct
Fill ct Spiritus Sancti, Amen" whether
she recognized It as the one she had
worn so long! But It was evident she
did mother calm was unbroken 6Y
even so much as start or tremor; she
had the self-possessIon Of . perfectly
satisfied, beautiful, vain, and utterly
heartless woman.
The actual ceremony Of marriage was
soon over; then followed the Mass, In
which we. the newly-wedded pair, were
compelled. In submission to the rule OF
the Church, to receive the Sacrament
shuddefed as the venerable priest gave
me the Sacred Host. What had TO do
with the inward purity and peace this
memento Of Christ IL supposed to leave
I in our souls? Methought the Crucifed
III - -