The Indianapolis journal., 1893-12-17


managed TO get away, and was as happy
as a bird set free. Joe thought she had
never looked quite so pretty before. To be
saw her. but that afternoon she really
looked as fresh and dainty as a rose at
dawn. Her cheeks were Of the same deli
cate tint as the pink tips in her bonnet.
until Joe mentioned the fact; then the tips
faded instantly.
Once, as they Were passing a line Of
level shore studded here and there with
fully:
Il have rented my house. Annie"
"Oh, Joer deprecatingly.
"It is your fault, you know, Annie"
She reached out and took his hand under
her shawl for answer.
Annie. little girl. II absolutely hurts me
to- see you continually nagged and
badgered by Aunt Hen l shall have to
kidnap you. If you wont let me emanci.
you come 10 me, Annie? ] know / could
make you the happiest little woman on the
continent"
81 WILL Joe, 1 WILL" pleadingly. and press
ing his hand with both her own. "only /
must wait a little longer-next winter.
perhaps
Annie" questioned Joe, earnestly. don't
you think four years Is a long time to
keep fellow out OF a homei especially
stupid. slow-going fellow Ike me. VINO
isn't, fond of gailivanting, and wants TO
settle DOWN.
No answer. only little closer nesting
to his side.
"See here, Annie, you--you haven't any
doubt in your own mind as to whether you
love me we'll enough to marry me- have
you?' He bent so low 10 say this that a
pink plume swept his cheek.
why, Joel how can you ask such
question:
annie. I'm tired Of meeting you slyly on
street corners and in the railroad depot and
in all kinds OF out-of-the-way places. I'm
tired OF having you hide me at Mrs Mar
f1Stive ehf from ni Justice Fm tired to death Of
it, Annie, and I'm more ashamed Of it than
/ am tired of it,
She. patted his hand under her shawl as a
sedative. Il know it's very hard. Joe-it's
hard for me, too; but If you'll only be pa
tie9t maybe yis By ynIs and bye bye Aunt Hen"
"Oh, Joe you mustn't. you really mustn't!
Aunt Hen is such good pious woman.
don't know what would become OF US all II
it wasn't for Aunt Hen
II know very we'll what would become Of
anyway
thing in particular against you. only she she
''OnIy what?'
I have. and she doesn't know what a dear,
good. splendid fellow you are" She raised
her sof. eyes to his face and a tear glistened
on the back of the settee.
A waiting train brought them to Man,
chester faster than they cared to come. and
Annie's mind What should She do with.
Joe? Aunt Hen was at home by. this
that Annie dreaded AS they passed st.
Philips its open door offered welcome sug-
dJoe" she said. 'n is so near church
time let US go in. 1t will be quite proper
to finish up our day Of pleasure In that
Jo. they tsyt wsnt Ssar up Hrt the
has been here She always decorates the
church for the services. but this is an ex;
They Sp walked arc around IN the ehancei cha railing.
examining the decorations. and then sat
down in the front seat to view the whole
effect Joe, Of course, embraced the oppor-
tunity to whisper a series or soft moth
ings. These were entertaining to both
that before they knew it the people were
gathering.
"Shall we go further backr' whispered
Annie.
mot on my account" oaid he; 'any pew
Which chs speech made hS settle herself lower
,la3 ashamed Rsd witSsl; q the whole eOnrresa
The SeFyoes ssS in s s fOe xhO ya b was
DER der beside" beside him, m til then % by way ~ Of ASSISTING
her began to join audibly in the responses.
The pastor eyed them sharply and his men
''Humph. better looking in the light than
In the dark. That's queer, too. Not such
3 clodhopper In appearance after all. Hope
The last amen was said. bowed heads
were raised. and then came the usual rustic
who had not heard the after,
Moons gossip. and among these were Annie
and Joe. The pastor stepped toward them,
If to return his greeting. This way.
please" he said in a low tone.
to consultations with her pastor at ali kinds
Of odd times, and so. supposing that he
wished to speak TO her about the progress
she stepped quickly toward him, leaving
Joe halting at the entrance of the pew.
DR.. Wyndham, however, being on the look
to him quickly. So closely did he follow
Annie that his hesitation was scarcely no
ticeable; he stationed himself at her side.
and with her innocently awaited further
orders.
Dearly beloved brethren, we are gath
then il came to them that the people had
not left the church, that an unusual silence
prevailed, and that all eyes were upon
Lhem. At first astonishment, then embar-
rassment fixed them to the spot
ITO join together this man and this wom-
IN in holy matrimony," he continued. and
happening. AS for Joe. a great wave of
sladness swept into his soul, forcing out
,very other emotion. Taking into his own
olds OF the grey dress, he held il in a grasp
10 firm and reassuring that the frightened
,olor returned to to Annie's cheek cheeks and her
wilt thou love her. comfort her, honor
md keep her, in sickness and IN health;
md. forsal1ing all others, keep thee only |
INTO her, SO long as We both shall live?"
Joes reverent 81 will' set them both upon |
'ure ground. He was. himself again, and |
she SO calm and Self-poSsessed that she
scarcely recognized herself.
A cherished possession OF JoeS was his |
mothers wedding ring. He always wore |
{ on his little finger, and had tried II on |
Annie's third finger more than once, think |
ng, when he did So OF a possible occasion
ike the present. Our Annie removed her
glove as serenely as IL she were standing |
before the dreSsin cease in her own little
oom at home and when the token re- |
urned to her, received ii like q sacrament |
The prayers, the Joining of hands the
blessing, followed solemnly and the happi-
st man in Manchester turned toward the |
toOd the laundering. well-meaning olG sex
on, who announced to the pastor, with |
.hurchly bow and far-reaching whisper.
The carriage is at the door, SIR at which /
Dr.. Wyndham bowed TO the pair with a
possess Ii wave of the hand and
hey passed down the aisle.
It's the carriage with the other couple |
ir," persisted the sexton; they said
would L go in and tell you they was
ere.'
Perplexed. the preacher looked toward the
oor. Entering Ii was his caller OF the
vening befOre-he recognized his bearing
L once-and on his arm leaned the bride
lect, con,placent in plaid silk, plentifully
eruffied, with bare arms and neck, veil,
nd orange blossoms:
The Doctor was shrewd enough not to
ave betrayed his amazement, but his |
hrewdneSS was always the result of a
low reasoning process, and for q moment
is face was painfully distorted. Gradually |
oweyer. and while the people who had
isen 10 follow the first couple were re-
eating themselves, he brought his facial |