Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1897-01-07

" VS.
"Heler, dar,ing-not thaM Don't ,uoste
those kisses"
caught the hand and brought it down.
But when it came to the ring there was
CONSERVATION. To the horror of the
groom, the despair Of the bride, but to
the marked and tremulous emotion Of
Aunt Lucretia, the circlet produced for
the occasion by the dazed best man was
all old fashioned but beautiful cluster
Of flashing gems Only by miracle
did it happen that the other ring was
lin his possession. How the mixture oc.
Cured there was no time to tell, until
later, when all were gathered, for there
were two whose fortunes we have fol-
lowed through these long, long chapters
who were absent from the ceremony,
who, in fact, We're having one Of their
own, aud to these two, while the band
without ia softly playing in front of the
chapel, and in eager hundreds the emen
are gathered to cheer the bride and
groom on their reappearance, let us turn
and listen.
"No, dear Mrs. Farrar," were Helen
Dauntons words as the eager guests
were pouring forth to the wedding.
''They are bringing him here, even
now, so that he may welcome Will and
Kitty on their return from the wedding
he cannot see.
And no sooner was the party fairly at
the chapel than there drove to the colo
nel's door the old colonel, and two
soldiers assisted to alight and led to the
doorway the soldicrly form Of Captain
Leale, his eyes still covered by the deep
green shade. 1t was Helen Daunton's
hand that guided him into the lately
crowded parlor, and he knew the touch
and thrilled with the JOY Of it,
"Helen!' he cried. "Thcy told me
all were gone. What blessed welcomed
I've been so long in exile! With your
voice the old home feeling I've been
cropping for comes to me through the
dark ~
"Then it is still dark with your" she
faltered.
There was moments pause The
band had just ceased the joyous march
with which it had "trooped" the we'd
ding party into the chapel, and then, as
though in accompaniment to the cere.
mony just beginning and to the sweet
romance already throbbing here, the cx-
quisite strains of the "Traumerei"
softly thrilled upon the fragrant air.
"Helen!" he spoke, his deep voice
trembling, as did the hand that still
clung to hers. "You know that for me
the lights went out before ever that
powder fash crossed my eyes She
strove, hardly knowing why, to release
her hand. "No, DEAR" he went on gen
tly. Don't be afraid have come back
to vex you with my sorrows; but listen,
they will all be here in in moment. !
went away hoping to teach my heart
friendship for you that should give me
the right to come again and serve you
as your friend. When l found that it
was almost sure that l should walk in
darkness all my life, said, Now at
least I can accept the blessing of her
friendship, even as she offered it to me-
A man manned and set apart from his
fellows can learn thankfulness for
great good, though it is not his hearts
desire" And here her graceful head
was bowed, and silently her tears came
gushing forth. "But time has taught
me the falsity of that" he went on.
firmly now. "You shall never misunder-
stand me. Even in the dark my pulse
oeat gave the lie to friendship. I loved
you, love you, and so have come to
say a long goodby. I've made my fight
to be your friend and failed. AT least
have been soldier. l will not be a
coward"
She could control herself no longer.
Though she had freed her hands, she
seemed involuntarily stretching them
forth. Then, leaning upon the table for
support, one hand found the glove that
he had removed and laid there He had
withdrawn a pace and lifted his head
as though the blighted eyes were striv-
ing to peer from under their shade for
one look at the face they had gazed up
on in such passionate farewell SO many
months before. The strains of the
"Traumerei'' were still thrilling soft
ly through the open easements, and,
overcome with emotion, tenderness and
passion, Helen bent and laid her soft
lips in fervent pressure Oh the senseless
glove.
Then the room rang with a sudden,
startling, joyous cry. The shade went
whizzing into space, and the next in
slant Leale had sprung to her and seized
her in his arms.
"Helen, darling - not that! Don't
waste those kisses!' And she sank Sob
bling in his arms just as-grand, joyous,
triumphant-the strains of the wedding
march burst forth, re-echoing among
the walls of Fort Frayne.
Rorke was the first man to come tear
ing in to announce the return of the
wedding party and the guests but Fen
ton was close on his heels ION hospita-
BILE cares intent" and exploding over
Wayne's performances. There was no
time for formal reception. Proceed
ings" had been delayed well nigh an
hour as it was and the east bound train
was reported unaccountably on time.
Bride and bridegroom. bridesmaids. ush-