Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1896-05-09


and retire for the night so that / may
appear at my best in the morning.
The misguided girl tossed kiss to her
mother and tripped lightly to her room,
humming, "IIaste to the Wedding"
Upon entering the parlor next morn
/ ing Irma found Alice lounging in her
favorite arm chair
"Come Irna," she cried in command.
ing tones, "and brush my hair and be
quick for am expecting company soon"
Irma obeyed without aword and when
done, simply said, "that looks nice"
al am glad it does" snapped Alice,
"and now be SO kind as to play some
thing lively for me. am low spirited
this morning and want something to
cheer me up"
Irma seated herself at the piano and
commenced to play polka. Mrs. STAN
hope soon entered, perfumed and painted
as If for conquests.
She had scarcely seated herself when
the door bell rang, and a servant ushered
in the handsome Charles Cummings.
Irma cast one glance at her aunt, and
taking warning from the look which
met her eyes fed from the room.
"My dear Mr.. Cummings" gushingly
cried Mrs. Stanhope. $50 glad to see
you. No one could be more welcome"
Thanks" replied Charles. you are
as kind as you always are. requested
your daughters permission to call this
morning, and she said you would all be
delighted to see me. But as can stay
only few moments | will state my rea-
son for calling at such an early hour |
leave for Buffalo on the 1890 and l
wished first to thank you for all the
kindness and consideration you have
shown me during my stay in Bes
Moines."
"Going to Buffalo," exclaimed Mrs.
Stanhope, while Alice, who had remain
ed silent and blushing, turned white as
death and gasped, "Oh, mol"
ayes" continued Charles, discomfort
ed at their agitation, ~ am going home
to prepare for my wedding, which takes
place early in the spring"
"Your wedding" icily repeated Mrs.
Stanhope, "and may l ask the name of
the fortunate woman"
Certainly, you may" Charles ans
wered good naturally, though greatly
surprised at her naughty demeanor.
"Her name is Minnie Allen"
At this Mrs. Stanhope turned pale as
marble, but summoning pride to her aid
she managed to say, "a very pretty name,
and please allow me to congratulate
you"
"Thank you, Mrs. Stanhope. know
l deserve congratulations, for she is the
sweetest little woman in all the world
And now must bid you good bye, as
have some business to attend to before
leaving the city"
So saying he shook hands with
Mrs. Stanhope and then with Alice, who
returned his hand shake and smile with
naughty inclination of her head
while Charles, bowling himself out, went
his way, wondering how he had offend
ed them.
No sooner had the sound of his foot.
steps died away, than Alice, with
terrified look, turned white to the lips,
and fell to the floor.
The scream of Mrs. Stanhope aroused
the household, and after placing the up
fortunate girl on the bed, they sum.
moned the skilled Dr. Jerome, who
came as fast as horse power could bring
him, and pronounced 1t severe attack
of brain fever.
For weeks the unhappy girl batted
with death. And at one time bewaiIing
and bemoaning her fate, until reason
seemed lettering on its throne, and then
sinking into Inconsistencies, where she
lay SO still and, white, that they who
watched could hardly say, whether she
lived or not
But professional skill and tender nurs-
at last won the victory and she was
iii able TO be dressed and sit in an
sy chair.
twas then Mrs. Stanhope deemed it
S to tell of, how while she lay i'll,
. aid Lanning had sought Irma's hand
in arriagc and had been accepted. and
that lrma contemplated going to Aunt
James the following day Where in one
week there would be grand double
wedding that would convert Irma into
Mrs. tanning and Minnie, Mrs. Cum
ings, and added, 1--WE are included in the
invitations
To her surprise Alice smiled sweetly, |
and said, Il wish them all the ioy this
world can give. I will not be able 10
attend the wedding, but you and papa
will, Of course, CO.
Mrs. stanhope could not forbear ask.
ing what in the world has come over
you, Alice"
To which Alice replied; "Since have
been so sick, mamma, have done a
FTT DPN7o