The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-08-24
TWO WEDDINGS.

Haven't sufficient audacity." drawled
Jack Hammond laZly. Don't know who
they are, and never could endure TO inIrude
on strangers. don't think they want us
badly, do you?"
You think them lovers?" said Miss Car
rOl, with curl OF her pretty lip. "Well,
If they are, no doubt they see enough Of
each other to be bored half to death. You
may go back If you like, but I'm going to
scrape acquaintance with that pretty girl"
lawfully bad FORM" Jack answered, in
his INDECENT but musical voice, as he
lounged to the stile and helped May over.
But if you'll present ME. I'll follow as rap
idly as the law Of my being will allow"
And he did follow, for Mays light foot
scarcely seemed to touch the grass over
which Ii sped, RS she went through the glad,
golden sunlight of an October day, toward the
fate which had been sent TO meet her in the
serene dullness of the country, 10 which her
physician had banshed her in July.
Under the wide-Spreadlng branches OF a
massive chestnut tree were seated the two
whom size had seen as she sauntered lOwly
through the neighborng field with her
fance, who had come TO board at farm
house. as in duty bound when freed from
bis desk in the city for few weeks, and
who had yaWned more in the fortnight he
spent there than in the whole Of his pre-
ViOus existence.
Through an opening in the boughs above
broad lance If sunlight fell on the up
turned olive face of a young man who lay
in the grass, supremacy at ease, his hands
clasped under his head, his long limbs
stretched out, soft felt hat lying near,
filled with mass Of yellow, crimson and
brown fecked leaves, which evidently his
companion had gathered, for her own lap
was full of similar beauty, and she was
reading aloud from a book Of poems in her
hand.
Isn't she pretty?" May thought. as she
looked at the dainty, delicate outlines Of
the sweet. down-bent face, as flower
fair as any her eyes had rested uDon, with
the dew Of lite'S early morning on its
beauty.
Then Nays light steps paused. for it did
seem too bad to interrupt the clear, soft
vote that read such tender words:
That sacred hour can I forget?
Can forget the haow'd grove,
Where by the winding Ayr met,
10 live one day or parting love?
Then a pair of frank, childing, star-like
eyes lifted suddenly, and May, meeting
their glance, advanced with smile, her
langud affianc5e beside her,
"t0Tgive Us for interrupting you In this
manner" she sale, but we are so tired Of
each others society, and We saw you from
the stlle! May | tell you who we are? l
am Nay CarrOl-DOarding at the Fairfax
Farm; and this is Nh Jack Hammond, on
whom a fOrtnights Tusticating has had the
melancholy effect you seer' with a laugh
ing glance at Jack, who made his choicest
bow. aud barred a well-set head, on which
grew a wealth of shining, silken hair, that
perfectly matched his heavy blond mus
tache.
The girl sprang impulsively to her feet,
Scattering her gatherings.
II ain so glad you camep' she Said in q
clear fresh voice, as full Of music as a
BIRDS. Lionel and l were wishing we
knew somebody here; it is SO quieti
Brother" turning to the young giant with
the olive face and dusky head, who had
lifted himself from the grass, "let me intro
duce you-0n. forgot! am Inez Brabos,
aid Lionel is my brother"
Something in the dark, laughing eyes bent
on her face, as Lionel Brabos bowed l0wly
before her, made Mays cheeks bloom for
moment like twin roses.
But she forgot IL very soon, as, sitting
down beside her new acquaintance, she
watched Jack gather and arrange the au-
tumn leaves for Inez.
An hour was spent under the chestnut
tree, ramble along the highway and
through tie cool. shady lanes that led thither
and thitLer in the vicinity, arrayed for the
morrow.
And when May and Jack walked the wide
veranda OF the farmhouse that evening and
the tiny moon was fading the girl turned
enthusiastically toward her companion.
did you ever see so lovely face as
1neZ Brabos'? ?" she question. "Were | a
man I'd fall in love with her straightway. -
What! Whether you were free to do 30
or not, May?"
She looked gravely off to where a few
stars gemmed the azure Of the tranquil sky.
zone who is unwed is always free, Jack"
she SAID. softly; remember that. Man or
woman who IS bound only by spoken
promise, should not hesitate should a new
loye-a stronger AID greater lOVe-come.
wonder If you could not love some other
woman more than you love me? l think
you could, Jack"
MAY, what nonsense you are talking?"
But as he spoke, the vision of fair.
hower-sweet face, with perfect dewy lips
and staT-llke eyes. came to him and fingered.
while The whr.pOnI- wills TITLED low In the
hollows, and the night air grew strangely
CALL.
From that day IN early October, which
saw the beginning OF an acquaintance be-
tween the four young people. there were
no more sighings on the part Of May for the
town and its yeties. no more yawning on
the part Of Jack; for merrier fortnight
never sped than that which followed, and it
WAS with sincere regret that May learned at
last that her brother would come Tor her in
few days, to bear her back, plump and
healthy, to her city home.
And my holiday ends day after ,o-mor-
row., Jack said 10 her. ruefully, when she
told him. Haven't ever been so happy in
my Life. We must all meet there next sum
mer, May. Let's arrange it."
he did not see the shiver that shot over
bis affianced at his words.
IN arrange nothing Of the sort" she
SAID, impatiently. Nov let us 60 over and
get Inez to ramble with Us for an hour or
two"
And her brother" Jack put in with un-
usual alacrity, "Uncommonly nice fellow.
isn't hep"
But May gave no reply. She walked be-
side her betrothed In grave and unbroken
silence, strange, new shadow ia her blue
eyes.
They generally found Inez and Lionel
under the branches of that great chestnut
at this hour; but to-day they found silence
and shade there-nOthing else The hand
some young gentleman farmer and his pref
ty sister were not idling under the broad
branches as usual.
wonder what's up?" Jack asked.
But just then merry hail from distant
clump OF trees made Mays face dimpe
roguishly.
big maple, and her brother is in the tree.
away near the top. He is waving his hand
to US"
SO he was. Far up among the crimson OF
the leaves. where he had climbed to procure
an oddly notified cluster for Inez, Lione,
was swaying with the slight branches and
framing forward TO attract their atten tion.
the sunlight lying warm and soft on his
laughing, powerful face, which was so rich
an olive as though Spain claimed him for
her sou.
"How handsome he isl How princely p
May Thought. with sharp pang at her
heart. "In this whole wide world there is
nobody like himp TheI there was the
crashing sound OF breaking branches, q
rustling rushing noise. the dull thud of a
body striking on the earth and from the lips