The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1896-05-29
CHAPTER VIIL.-[Coxr1vUED.

''Of'hp IN ~ ulu IIdll loNSu 4lot >
Harrison.
LinmeTe's gift to his bride was very
simple, but in exquisite taste, Mrs. Wei
don decided. A set of turquoise, witt
bis initials and hers interviewer. Only
when they were received, did Margie
come, out Of her cold composure. She
snapped together the lid of the casket
containing them with something very
like angry impatience, and gave the boz
to her maid.
Take them away, Florine, instantly
and put them where | shall never sec
them again."
The woman looked surprised, but she
was a discreet piece, and strongly at
tached to her mistress, and she put the
ornaments away without comment.
The tenth CT October arrived. A wet,
lowering day, with alternate snatches
of rain and sunshine, settling down to-
ward sunset into a steady, uncomfors-
able drizzle. A dismal enough we'd
ding-day.
The ceremony was to take place at
INV NIONE III tIIc tfClI1S. dhu III IA
vited guests were numerous. Harrison
Park would accommodate them royalty.
Mr.. Linmere was expected out from
the city in the six o'clock train. and as
the stopping place was not more than
five minutes walk from the Park he
had left orders that no carriage need
be sent. He would walk up. He
thought he should need the stimulus
of the fresh air to carry him through
the fiery ordeal, he said, laughirgly.
The long day wore slowly away. The
preparations were complete. Mrs. Wei
don, in her violet m~oire-antique and
family diamonds, went through the
stately paTloTs once more to assure her
self that everything was au fat.
AT five O'clock the task of dressing
the bride began. The bridesmaids
were in ecstacies over the finery, and
they took almost as much pains in
dressing Margie as they would in
dressing themselves for a like occasion.
Margie's cheeks were as white as the
robes they put on her. One of the
girls suggested rouge, but AleXandrine
demurred.
"a bride should always be pale" she
said. 1T looks so interesting, and
gives every Il the idea that she real
lies the responsibility she is taking up
on herself-doesn't that veil fall
sweetly?"
And then followed a shower Of femi-
nine expressions of admiration from the
four charming bridesmaids.
"Is everything ready?" asked Margie,
YEARLY, when at last they paused in
their efforts.
Eyes. everything is as perfect as any
one could DESIRE" said A~lexandrine.
"How do you feel, Margie, dear?"
very well, thank you"
"You are so self-possessed. Now 1
should be ali of a tremble! Dear me! 1
wonder people can be so cold on the eve
of such a great change! But then we
are so different. Will you not take a
glass of wine, Margie?"
Thank you, no. 1 do not take wine,
you know"
q know, but on this occasion. Hush!
that was the whistle of the train. Mr..
viii be here in a few minutes.
Shall l bring him up to see you? 1t is
etiquette for the groom to see the /
bride on the day of their marriage, IN
til they meet at the altar; but, you look
so charming, dear! I would like him
10 admire you. He has such exquisite
Margie's uplifted eyes had a half
frightened look, which A%leXandrine
lid not understand.
mo. no." she said, hurriedly, "do not
him here! We will follow eti-
suettc for this time, if you please, Miss
80 well, just as you please. my dear"
And now, my friends, be kind
to leave me alone" said Margie.
4 want the last hours of my free life
o myself. 1 will ring when I desire
your attendance"
Margie's am forbade any objec-
ion on the part of the attendants, and
hey somewhat reluctantly withdrew.
oHe iuIHSu lHS hSy upOu tutil, anu
rent to the window. The rain had
ceased falling, but the air was damp and
tense.
Her room was on the first floor, and
he windows, furnished with balconies,
opened to the floor. She stood looking
,ut into the night for a moment, then
gathered up her flowing drapery, and
covering herself with a heavy cloak,
from the window. The damp
earth struck a chill to her %delicately
,hod feet, but she did not notice it.
The mist and fog dampened her hair,
lnheeded. She went swiftly down the
path, the dead leaves of the lin
leu trees rustling mournfully as she
iwept through them. Past the garden
its deserted summer-house. and the
srapery, where the purple fruit was
avishing its sweets on the air, and
a stile, she stood beside a
of shading cypress trees. Just
before her was a square enclosure,
enced by a hedge of arbor vitae. from
he midst of which, towering white and
pectral up into the silent night, rose a
marble shaft, surmounted by the figure
r. on on~ol u;fh d.nonnr hoad apd