The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1896-10-10

heavy ivory satin, sto oil again before
tide tall, silver framed mirror in her
dressing room. Around her stood her
muids, picturesque i'll Nile and hello
trope, azure and rose, great picture
hats aud long gloves Of black making
Sharp contrast with the dainty gowns.
Siucc nine OF the clock Connie had
been in the hands Of her dressers.
The dainty filbcrts Of rails were pol
ishcd and pink, the refractory curling
locks were piled high on tue proudly
| poised little head. Everything was in
readiness but the tiimy veil, and it was
as vet only eleven 10y the clock.
Connie glanced uneasily at the tiny
silver timcp;ece, and then gave q sigh
OF relief.
zone whole hour YET, she MUIR
INJURED. Then turning to her attend
ants: 81 shall not have the veil ur-
ranged till the last minute. Baxter,
tell Mr.. Horton I would like to see
him in my boHloir." Then: "Dear
girls" to the admiring group in their
dainty gowns, ''you look lovely. l
am glad l insisted upon that color
scheme; it is certainly picturesque.
| Now leave me. GO and see the rooms.
Baxter SAYS the florists arc gone. "
Left alone, Connie still stood be-
fore the glass. 1t WAS troubled and
pale little face that looked buck at
her today. Overwhelmed for weeks
with trousseau and what not, it had
not been till the very last night of her
girhood that she began to feel, as she
tossed restless and wide-eyed, the
gravity Of the step before her.
Oh for a reassEriuy mother love
to enfoll her in soothing arms
and quiet her fears 1t WAS the
first time she had ever missed a
mothers care. Don nal been 80 g,o,l
to her, 81 good through all the years;
he had been father, mother, brother,
friend. Life without Don was IL
something she had never faced be-
fore. And ouly last night he had
talked OF a long joUrney-had spoken
vaguely Of Abyssinla aud Afghauistan
and AsAuntc.
She stood looking at her reflection
ia the mirror, feeling strangely alone
in the great, empty world. A wild
longing tor comfort seized the girl
aud unncrycd Ter. \ weil-kaowu step
ia II, outer room caused her to turn
swiftly aud move forward. With out
stretched hands and pleading, troubled
ewes, she half sobbed rs she went:
"On Don! Don! takc me in your
arms and com ort III: us you used to
when was only your little Blossom
for [ um nfraiI-afruil! !"
"Couuie! Blossom! nv darling!
my darling wee grille! You are niue
by every right OF God and man!
You arc mine and not this other
mans! I claim you! oy my over
p,wcring consuming Lowell" he ex-
claimed, raining all the while passion
ate lovers kisses OF eyes and lips, on
iair md cheek md chin.
"Oh Don! Duu!' she cried, a food
Of joy oyerspreaaing brow and neck.
But the man, loosing his hold of
her, pushed her roughly from him,
and raising his hands in bewildered
way to bis head cried:
"My God! my God! what have
donc!' Then throwing himself on
his knees. prostratiuy himself before
her, wriuging his helpless hands he
sobbel:
"Forsive nc! Forgive me! For
give mel"
Her womau's wit came quickly to
her rescue and she grew quiet. She
was very white, but the hand she laid
on the mans shoulder was firm.
Il have been wicked wicked! But
I did not know--I could not guess
See, my Don-you are always good
aud kind and brave. We must be
brave now, vou md T."
They had changed places-thcse
two. 1t was the man who needed
comfort most. A moment before it
r r 8 v ss'e~,-