Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-07-09
THE PHOTOGRAPH.

the long mirror and TRANQUILITY rearrang-
ing bit Of lace that had gone astray upon
the white gown, turned, with a strange ex-
preston on her beautiful face, and looked
thoughtfully after the maid. Then the
beautiful girl crossed the room quickly and
locked the door. The wedding dress rus
ties family as the key turned in the lock,
and the sound slight as it was, brought a
flood of color, exquisite in its hue, into
her checks, but with sigh of relief she
went resOlutcly back to the tiny writing
desk which stood near the dressing table
and sank quietly into the chair before it,.
Once again the pink roses gave way to the
white in her checks, however, and for a
moment her fingers lowered in half hest
tating, half doubtful way over one OF the
heavily carved drawers, then, with little
neat toss Of .defancCSo the thoughts that
were advising her aGaI g her heart S wish,
she pulled the drawer slowly open and
drew from its plush lined recess a small
photograph.
1t was the picture of u man, but Il man
neither handsome nor striking in appear
anco
For moment the girl looked down at
the plain face before her, with the dear
true eyes returning her earnest gaze so
really, without emotion; then, with II half
suppressed little exclamation of infinite
love, she pressed the picture to her sweet
young lips again and again.
Up the wide stairway and along the hall
came the subducd strains of the orchestra
humming softly to itself behind the palms
in the balcony, and the ripping melodies
mingled reluctantly with the sound Of the
wheels of the late corners carriages as they
rolled hurriedly up to the door.
The girls beautiful eyes still upon the
photograph, seemed to grow dreamy with
reCollcctions, and she forgot the waiting
men and women of her set below. Two
years ago-twO short years! Yet in that
time what a century of love a woman may
live, and what an eternity Of happiness or
pain!
Two years ago, and life held only happi-
ness and hopes, and now But she would
not permit herself to think of now; the
present is to be lived, not thought Of
Whatever happened in that present made
little difference. The past was hers, secure
and not to be disturbed. And to that past
she crcpt back for one long, last look ere
IL WAS pun away, lbItNtI IltIlluIsS. CIt
knew it must be; she had been told so
time and time again, but not until the
very nieht when she was to give her hand
to her bSthur's best friend had she fully
realized it all
With her heart throbbing as it had never
thrODbCd before, though she had listened
to the hating story from other mems lips,
she heard but dimly what this plain, car
nest man whispered and when at last she
raised her happy face to his and he kissed
her passionately heaven indeed seemed not
SO far away.
For long time they sat thcre-longcr
than the gull had the patience to wait, for
it finally flew away-and when they went
back at last, walking slowly along the
beach to the little inn, her heart seemed
to sing to itself the love song he had sung
the night before, with a new meaning in
the tender words. And she felt and real
lied that love had crowned her life
And now? She wondered dimly if he
remembered all this, or had he forgotten
as men will forget such things? Could he
do that, could he? She looked again at
the picture held in her warm trembling
hand, and the deep gray eyes looking
bJIhl8llN up III W lltE Wv II S'tl4ltN W say
"Non while the 4rm lips might have been
whispering over again those sweet per-
jurics which even low rang in her cars.
The sharp click of n closing carriage
door sounded below, and a moment after
the hurried tread Of feet upon the stair
told of the arrival Of groom and best man.
but she did not hear them. Again the
picture was pressed to the girls lips, and
the blue eyes grew brighter still with I'M
shed tears. Gone though it all was, ir-
rcvocably past, it was still her privilege in
these last few minutes to bring it back if
she chose and to live for moment in tho
shadowy long ago. Only few short mo-
mcnts more and the girl would be the
wife, and then
A gentle knock upon the door, and tho
little mothers soft, anxious voice called:
"Are you ready, dear? He is here"
The girl started to her feet, Clutching
the picture in her nervous fingers until it
almost bent. The orchestra was throb-
bling in musical rhythms below, the chatter
of the guests camo up to her as if they
were far away and she but an idle listener,
and the dreamy look in her sweet eyes
decpened for moment. Then it passed
and resolve came over her. With one last
ycarning look at the face between her
white fingers she hcsftatcd a single second,
and then, with eyes alight and checks
burning, she slipped the picture into tho
bosom Of her gown, and the lace fell gen.
tly over it.
eyes, mother" she answered quietly,
forcing back With a great effort the little
sob that rose to her lips, and walking
steadily across the room again she unlock
ed the door and stood before the nervous,
chattcring bridesmaids with calm, sweet
face and quiet dignity which hushcd their
words and set them to silently admiring
her.
Il am ready" she said.
AS the carriage bowled away from the
door amid a shower of roses and good wish
es and worn little slipper or two the girl
leaned forward, and drawing the picture
from its hiding place slowly she looked at
it and then into the face of her husband,
who sat watching her with quiet happi-
ness. Then, with happy, girlish laugh,
she answered his implied question:
Eyes; carried it there all during tho
service, right next my heart But, Frank,
dear, you are much handsomer than you
were two years ago. "-E. j. Appleton in
Cincinnati Post.