Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1894-01-26
THE THIRD TIME.
But the Final Reconciliation Is the
Most Happy.

~
they were well enough off in material
affairs to have the knot tied for good
| So John built his cottage, while
Elsie was busted about carpets and
linens, and all went merry as the mar
riage bell that was soon to ring.
The- day before that set for the we'd
ding John and Elsie went TO their cot
| tage with several friends to take a
general survey. Their "houSe warm
ing was. to be after the wedding and
trip in the good old fashioned way
John had bought IL beautiful side
board for the little dining room. and
as sidebOards We're not common furni-
ture in the village this one caused
much friendly comment and criti-
cism. John had placed it ut one side
of the room.
1T would be so much prettier ove'
here" said Elsie
Now, Why? questioned John.
Well it would show more from the
other room and have Il good light,
TOO" she replied
But it would throw the room all
out of proportion" said he. The
table goes here, and the stove there,
and you see now how huddled up the
room would look with the sideboard
where you want it,
Il do not think so,'' returned Elsie,
although she did, and John looked at
her in establishment. Just see from
here how pretty it would look"
"PShawr' said John, testify; 'wo-
men never see but one thing at a
time. The sideboard will stay where
it is
They had been engaged so long
they did not have that fear of being
misunderstood so characteristic of
short acquaintance. Doubtless Elsie
would not have thought again of his
remark, but would have waited her
opportunity to move the sideboard to
suit herself and either convince him
or be convinced herself, had not one
of their female friends said sniffingly:
Its plain to see who is going to
rule in this houser'
1t ranked with Elsie. She was the
one, she thought, who should have
the say in such matters. and the
longer she thought the worse it looked
and the more tyrannical seemed her
soon to be husband. 1t was 100 late
to break the engagement, for every
detail of the wedding was arranged
for the next day.
SO the morrow found tasteful
bride, but in the gladness of his heart
John never noticed her cOnStraint and
quietnesS A bride is always expected
to be fearful and solemn. and Elsie,
with her white dress and veil and
traditional orange blossoms, was an
ideal bride and one of whom any man
might well be proud.
John made his responses with hearty
good will, and then the minister turned
to Elsie and asked her the usual ques-
ton.
No answered Elsie, and the min
lister started. He was slightly deaf,
and leaned forward to assure himself
he was not mistaken. Il did not I'm.
derstand you, my dear" said the good
man.
Nor repeated Elsie in clear, ring
ing tones, and Johns confusion was
great.
He flushed and paled, then turned
and walked deliberately out of the
church, while Elsie smiled triumph
antly in the crowd to weep in grief
when at last alone Her ruler was
gone; but, oh, how sorry she was!
1t was the sensation of the country.
Nobody knew what had become of
John, and Elsie stayed closely at
home. One day, just four weeks after
ward, John came walking UP to Elsie's
door, and she flew out to meet him.
He told her he had made his intend
ed honeymoon trip all alone, but 1t
was lonesome, and he came back to
see if she would not try it over again
and take the trip with him.
She said she would. and then timid-
ly asked if she might move the side
board when they came back. He told
her certainly, and he would help her.
1t was too heavy for her to move
alone. Ard just as the villagers were
recovering from the sensation OF the
unfinished wedding they received an
invitation to see it repeated.
This time, blushing and smiling, Ell
sic was led to the altar. 1t was
double triumph. Surely he was
lover true and bold who would remain
thus constant after such mortlfylng
experience When the good old min
lister asked John if he would take this
woman to be his welded wife, the
answer was resounding, distinct
''Nor'
The minister could not be mistaken.
Johns answer was heard outside the
church door.
What means this trifinS with sa'
cred things?' cried the good man IN
righteous wrath.
"Revenger' quoth John dramatical-
ly. and he strobe out of the church.
while poor Elsie. thoroughly punished,
fell in faint
John went away again, and the
months rolled on and on, until two
years had passed, and he had never
came back, nor did anybody hear
from him. Elsie had the key to the
cottage, and she locked it, with every
thing in it, but she moved the side
i board to suit herself first.
At the end of two years John came
back and walked up to Elsie's door
again. In her heart she had expect
ed him all the time, although she had
never allowed herself to think it.
How do you do, Johnr' said she
but she didn't ask him in.
Pretty well, Elsie, and so are you,