Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1897-12-16
"IN HIS NAME. "
BY ANNIE E. BONNELL.
hAGETERE on it, Eli! We're on our
wv weddin' Journey. Amt most

folded together her wriukled hands
with long sigh of peace.
The train was getting under way
again.
Ellis weathered old face beamed and
nodded at her.
ITS so, Judith-it's livin', breathin'
truth! Look out the winder at them
fences. See 'em shootin' past. We're
goin'! 1 feels If l wanted to sing the
doxology,"
Like little children they leaned toward
the window and watched the moving
picture outside. Ellis hand found its
way to Judith's and openly patted it's
black silk mitt.
Were on our weddin' journey, moth
er, jest as true as we're alive. Our hon
eymoon's jest ris'."
The words drifted back to the trio of
breezy, sweet-faced girls behind. The
whole car seemed to be full of girls.
Girls across the aisle, girls in front, girls
behind, and all of them twittering and
laughing in subdued little gales, after
the world-over fashion of girls.
did you hear. Joyce Darrah?
They're on their wedding trip" whis-
pered Elvah Crane in delight. The
dear little old lady's bride!"
Truly, do you s'pose," whispered
back Joyce. shes so old-she must be
most hundred. Look at her dear lit
tie corkscrew curls behind her ears!"
Girls, girls, quiclr!" murmured Mir
lam Nye, nudging them in turn, II do
believe he's going to kiss her!"
But the kiss, if it had started, never
reached its destination. Judith Crock
EFT saw it coming, and held up her finger
to warn it off. Land, Eli, don't!" she
cried. Fright where fOlks'll see you!
What'll they think?"
Well" the old man declared, reck-
lessly, 81 amt sure care what folks'll
think! 1t amt every day l go on my
weddin' journey, an can't see when
would be a suitabler time to do what
lissin' I've got on hand to do"
He laughed delightedly, in little I'M
dulatory chuckles. Joyce said she could
see the wrinkles in his eyes through the
back of his head!
q think he's lovely" she answered
softly, "and so is the little old bride.
They make the dearest little love-story,
right here before our eyes! It's bet
ter than a story book; my, yes!"
judith Crockett looked over her shout
der and got pleasant glimpse OF the
vista of girls faces behind her.
my, amt there heap of 'em!" she
exclaimed. AN oh, Eli, look quick!
There's one jest exactly behind that
looks like little Emmeline that died.
I've got to speak to that one, Eli-l've
got to. couldn't no more help it than
nothin' at ALL"
She leaned back and beckoned to
Marian Nye.
"Deary," she called, "do you mind
comm an settin' beside me jest for a
few minutes? want to speak to you"
Miriam's tune stopped short. She
glanced at the other girls in amused
wonder, and then up into the sweet
wrinkled face. She saw the eagerness
in it, and answered it instantly.
Yes, indeed" she said, land the gen
tleuau can have my seat here" They
made the exchange, and Eli sat down
opposite Joyce and Elvah, with nod Of
gentle friendliness. lie leaned forward
TO them, pointing backward with his
thumb at Judith.
"Emmeline died, you see," he said
conidentially, AN she wanted to talk
to the young lady because she looked
like Emmeline. She always wants to
talk TO folks that put her in mind OF
Emmy. I don't suppose the young
lady'l mind now, do you? l couldn't
bear to set up against mother on our
weddn' journey, thought we'd ought
to humor her."
Behind him mothers" earnest voice
was running on.
We've been married Al years-Eli
an me. 1t was 90 years ago Emmy died.
You look so much like her, deary, that's
why l couldn't help calm you. You've
got Emmy's eyes an her little round
chin. Emmy had such beautiful
chin!"
Her own chin quivered little, but
still she smiled at Miriam.
you don't mind me calm you,
deary, do you?" she asked. 81 told Eli
couldn't help it, noway at all, the min
ute set eyes on you"
mo, indeed, I'm glad to come. I'm
glad to look ike-Emmy." Miriam's
sweet voice and the dead name rever-
emily.
There was little pause, and to break
it she said:
rs Eli your new husbands name?
You said-that is, 1 couldn't help hear
ing, truly-that this was your wedding
trip"
Then Judith Crockett threw back her
head and laughed with such hearty en-
ioyment that Miriam joined in from
very sympathy. Eli and the girls be-
hind laughed, too.
"Lahd!" pulled Judith in breathless
gasp, 81 hope amt hurt your feelin's,
deary. 1 had to taught couldn't a
helped it, not if I'd ben goin' to suffer
for it. 1t struck me all in heap when
you asked me if Eli was my new hus-
band-Oh, my land! There, Pm goin'
to stop now"
She put out her hand and smoothed
Mirian's gently, half apologizingly.
Yes, deary, he is my new husband
new ev'ry mornin', an fresh ev'ry even
in. But the good Lords let me have
him 40 years. An hope He'll LET me
keep him always till it's time to GO
home, an then Eli an nell go together.
| shouldn't know how to go without Eli
went, too"
She spoke quietly, but the love in her
plain old face TRANSPORTED it, to Mir
,am.
"oh," the girl said, softly, 81 see now
didn't understand"