Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-04-08
A DOUBLE PREACHER I
ADAPIGD BY n. P
CHAPTER /


heartfelt tone, indicating, to a close OBJ
server, that he placed a certain restraint
on himself lest he should say too much.
The newIy-Inade husband feared fIdi-
cule, ard yet his happiness longed for ut
terancc. Every now and then he felt
compelled to express his joy in a whisper
TO his mOther-in-law, who received it with
proud smile, as the just tribute to her
daughters charms.
For hours the poor fellow had feared
that he was dreaming, that he was
deluded by some ecstatic vision; but the
hands Of The clock pointed to ten, and he
had not yet been roughly awakened. He
lived over the events Of the day; he saw
himself in his simple bachelors room; he
had Just placed in the pocket Of his new
coat two pairs Of white gloves.
A few hours later, the wedding process
sion had started. In one Of the carriages
he bcheld shining cloud Of silk and tulle,
that bet0Eened the presence Of the bride.
Then came the entrance into church
MISUNDERSTANDING the floating white
cloud; the organ, the clergyman, and the
simple old service, and the CAV crowd
round in their spring toilets! Thenthe sign
ing in the vestry, where the snowy little
sylph had been kissed, and embraced /;
while he hirnsel was warmly congratulated
by the friends and acquaintance who had
assembled to do him honor.
Then the coming out into the COM
mon world, the last triumphant peal Of
the organ swelling unanimously through
the widely-Opcned door Of the church, the
murnnrs and comments Of the crowd
gathered at the entrance; even the words
Of a stout woman, wearing a large white
apron-words unnoticed at the time-now
returned to Florence.
"Well, the husband is not much to look
al, but the bride is a beauty And the
woman was right, he thought.
Then came the breakfast, the room gay
with flowers; the drive in the park-a
concession to Mrs. Chip, q Londoner Of
that cla,s who substitute turn round
the park and dance in the evening for
the usual honeymoon tour.
Finally, the dinner, Just as the daylight
faded lie heard the rattle Of the car
riage8 as the wedding party drew up
with needless amount Of noise and hustle
at the Star and Garter, at Richmond.
And now, worn out by happy excitement,
Florence leaned back IN his chair, and
quietly surveyed the large table, in the
form Of horseshoe, round which were
seated twenty-four familiar faces, in whose
Joyous eyes he read only the reflection OF
his own happiness.
Desserts had been served, and the fruits,
flowers, and ices gave color and light to
the gay scene.
buzz of conversation filed the room ;
some Of the chairs were pushed slightly
away from the table, and all was going on
well.
Yes Florence was content. With the
exception Of his brother Frank, every soul
for whom he cared in the world was near
him.
Opposite sat Sylvia-yesterday "Miss
Sylvia" to-day his wife, Mrs. Florence"
She had laid aside the veil, emerged as it
were from her white cloud, and her pref
Ly, paInd face, crowned by ii wreath OF
oraelge-bIossoms and heavy coils Of hair,
rose from the severe simplicity Of her
close-ftting robe of white silk. In her
eyes sparklcd an expression of impotence,
and about her mouth fingered a curve OF
discomfort; but bridegrooms rarely read
such signs Alright.
Next to Sylvia and Frank the person
whom Florence most loved was Mrs
Speed, whom he always called "Nirs
George" the wife of his partner, and the
daughter of the deceased Mr.. Speed, his
former patron, and his hero and model.
lie had placed her next himself and his
manner Vt speaking TO her plainly revealed
the dcfornuce and affection with which he
regarded her She was very young
woman about Sylvia's age. but Of better
style OF ta.,oty. more quiet. more refined
Speaking very little; feeling somewhat
out Of I6ac" ia this m5Xcd circle though
she wa perfectly courteous ami "miaGle
On lorrucc'- Dtner side sat Mr.. ChIpp
the brides mother, who was dazzling tC
behold. in a robe of glittering green satin.
All that day the good wOmau's thoughts
had baca as brilliant as her dress, and she
had said 10 ! rsclf hundred times, MY
daughter is marTyingSpeed and Florence"
For to her mind it was not alone Florence
whom her daughter married, it was the
firm itself the celebrated firm: and each
time Mrs. Chip arrived at this conclusion,
she drew herself up so erect that her silk
cracked like the harness OF a war-horse.
What a contrast 10 her husband who sat
further off This little man, with his shin
ing bald mead. as round and empty as a
bloWn-Cul bladder. looked Us angry rs ais
wife was radiant: this, to be sure, was
his usual expression. This evening he
was not so shabby as was his custom, and
his new black coat was Il proper pendant
10 his Wife's green satin; but unfortunate
", his thoughts were as Sombre as his
coat
Why had he not been placed next the
bride, IS was his right Why had that
place been given to young Speedi And
why did old Gray, the Speeds grand
father, sit ON the other side of Sylvial Of
course. every consideration must be paid
TO the Speeds and none to the Chips.
ITO tunatCly, as a Safcty-valve for his
Indignation, the irate little man had next
him his friend We're de Lacy, a crushed
tragedian, who listened to his complaints
with majestic and unmovcd couuteuance.
a man may have been driven from the
stage by the Vaccinations Of jealous
managers, kept from it for fifteen years,
and yet have in reserve many impressive
attitudes and magnificent poses.
So on this special evening, De Lacy felt
that much was expected of him. and he
had adopted a half-smiling, half-Serious
air, at once condecending and solemn. He
might have been at a feast in the first act
of q new play, assisting at q banquet
where all the yiands were made of paste
board.
In fact this absurd We're de Lacy had
exactly the manner Of one playing a part,
feigning to listen to what was said. but
really meditating only on his reply.
Smgularly enough, the bride. too, had
something Of the same expression. There
was certain preoccupation on her pretty
face, and occasionally faint, absent
smile, as if she were talking to herself.
1t was with this faint smile that she re-
piled 10 the not refined witticisms Of grand
father Gray, who was seated on her right.
1T is not quite two months" continued
the good man, with a boisterous laugh.
c. I,