Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1896-09-24
CHAPTER XXI.

CHAPTER XXI.
The wedding took place in the parlor
Of the Y. w. g. A. boarding house
and proved the most exciting event that
that dismal apartment had ever witness
cd. AS it was An evening affair, all the
girls were present. Their collective en-
thusiasm charged the atmosphere with
. vague thrill of agitation. There was
q sensible throb in the air as Hulda en-
tered on the bridegroom's arm, for
there was no one to give her away.
Though she was plainly dressed, q long
drawn ah-h-h Of admiration rose from all
parts Of the room. The remarkable cir
cumstances attending the affair had,
with various distortions, been surmised
by all. and a few authentic facts had
been supplied by the matron.
The bridegroom held himself smartly
erect and looked very happy. There was
q light bravado on his face, and his in
teresting pallor gave him an air Of dis
tinction corresponding we'll with the
romantic fictions Of which he had been
made the hero. He had managed by his
gift Of persuasion toget credit for q new
wedding suit from q trustful Norwegian
tailor, and he wore it with the beauti-
full indifference Of one to whom good
clothes are q matter Of course. The
Transformation he had undergone since
Hulda's visit in Halstead street was 20
startling that even she, to whom he
seemed but to have been restored to his
old self, could not help marveling at its
completeness, for. truth to tell, In spite
Of his gentlemanly unaggressiveness
there was something in his bearing
which suggested the quiet insolence Of
prosperity.
Just as the Rev. Dr.. Trump began
with q rotund and sonorous voice to
read the service the doorbell rang in
the hall, and Hulda gave . little start,
a. II the bell wire had been attached ia
her person. The maid whose duty Il
was to answer the bell was standing on
tiptoe on the outskirts Of the crowd.
and she was too interested in watching
the ceremony to have any pity on tAe
sojourner on the front steps. The rain
was beating against the window panes,
and there were spasmodic oar in the
chimney which added to the impress.
iveness Of the solemn words: ''In the
sweat Of thy brow shalt thou eat bread,
and thy desire shall be for thy husband,
and be shall rule over thee. - With
sorrow shalt thou bear thy children.
ss~ Thou shalt be subject unto thy
husband, I" etc.
DR.. Trump was Of the old fashioned
kind Of clergyman, who would scogn K
emasculate the service In order to SPAR
the sensibilities Of the bride. No thert
it was In all ito incorporating naked
ness-the stern. divine command-ani
Hulda listened to It meekly, devoutl,
and in no modern spirit Of rebellion
Nay. in her loving self effacement sh'
gloried even in it, noble austerity and
vowed to be faithful, ever faithful, il
good and evil days, to the promise O
this hour.
The wind in the chimney gave q howl
ing shriek, and the maid, who wa
breathlessly intent upon the ceremony
failed to hear the second ringing Of tn
doorbell. But Hulda heard It and
strange light Of apprehension kindled Il
her eyes. There was something ominou
-fateful-in the sound Of it A tremu
lous shiver stole over her which Il
could not master.
IF any one here present knows q
any reason why this man and this WON
an should not be welded. let him spea
now or forever hold hin p6nC0.O erie