The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1891-04-24

shouted az them that he was no better
than an inpostor. Instead of which he
nailed his false coio-s to the mast. as it
were, and smiled and bowed and shook
hands with everybody.
His brain worked with feverish rapid
ity, and by the time they had shut him
into Squire Brandon's carriage for the
short drive TO the house. where the
young lady would change her dress for
the wedding journey, a sense OF the
gotesqueness OF his own position touch
ed him, bringing with 1t a sudden strong
desire to laugh, and creating reaction
which restored equilibrium. He had
made mess of IT, he was willing TO adj
NIT, but circumstances had seemed TO
wall him into a narrow track, along
which he had cantered like the most
obhging of donkeys. At this stage OF
the proceedings ..hindsight" did little
good and was provocative Of exaspera-
ton, and of reliable foresight he was
fain, IN all humility of soul, TO confess
himself destitute. There was nothing
for it bat 10 face the situation IN the
the minimum of pain and discomfort all
around The only solution which sug-
gested itself was TO carry out the plan as
originally proposed, striving TO blunder
less IN the end than he had done IN the
beginning. He would take the Young
lady straight to John Royal, making
such explanation to her as would insure
her recognition of the love and anxiety
for her future which had been the main
spring of a scheme which he now de-
nounced as idiotic.
In the presence of the dying man al
personal pique, all womanly sensitive
ness, would shrivel and vanish before the
majesty Of love and the awful mystery
of that which was to come. A strange
journey 1t would be, with strange end
ing. For the first time came realization
of the matter from the wonans stand
point, and with 1t a great pity for her
and strong desire to shield her from the
comment, curiosity and multiplicity of
detail TO which his story must give rise,
ar least until tins travGzsy of marriage
could be made real by the me mans ac-
knowledgment of it. He would keep his
own counsel until he should have given
the wife into the keeping OF her husband,
and then it would be time enough to ad-
NIT the outside world, TO enter upon ex-
plantations and self justification.
Arrived at a definite conclusion. he
squared his shoulders and put aside that
strange sense of irrevocability and per-
sonal implication which had oppressed
him during the ceremony. In truth,
there was little time for thought. less
for analysis: the need for action was
still omnipresent He turned 10 look.
for the first time definitely. at John
Royals bride.
As he did SD low laugh startled him,
and hand was thrust out to toach his
arm and then withdrawn. Ii was glove
less, and on the third finger cleaned the
marriage ring. She was enyelOped IN a
heavy wrap which concealed her white
dress, and her head and face Were hid
den under folds Of soft dark tissue, from
which, at throat and crown, the lace OF
her bridal veil peeped forth, like white
clouds under gray ones. Her face was
completely concealed, from perverseness
of girEsh coquetry. he thought, and he
could only guess that she was fair be
cause that would increase the pathos of
the situation.
Her amusement nettled him. and then
a swift sense Of their relative position as
1t must appear 70 her thrilled through
him, producing a tumble OF emotions
Jr-t1Irah rrTaI.z ~, IS he -y..-,1 l.
longed to put aside the soft gray folds
that kidher face. 10 possess himself of
her hand. TO SPEAK words which should
testify appreciation OF the situariOn-tO
commit some sort Of folly or madness,
IN short, TO prove that he was man and
senleut. What brute she must think
him, ne clafad; what q s0ulless, sense
less block of wood ne must appear! How
could she understand or Go him Justice,
ignorant as she waS-aad must remain
for hOurs-Of the true state OF the case:
Then he comforted himself with the re-
Election that when the matter should be
made plain to her she would appreciate
his conduct.
Are you tired, john
Ii was the young lady who broke the
silence.
NO he answered, surprised
1t seemed odd to him. at the moment,
that the woman should put that ques-
ton 10 the man.
You were so quiet that l had to laugh.
II seemed so funny 10 sit up like two
owls, never saying a word TO one an
other, she proceeded. I'VE are cousins,
you know, John, just the same as we
used TO be. But perhaps you are III
PAIN quick change of voice.
Are you? Tell me at once. Ought
you TO have come: / know it was the
money and that foolish clause IN the
viii about today. But for that we
might easily have waited until you were
strong again. Isn't travelling bad for
you"