Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-03-04

had seemed as If in a dream.
When would the reality grow less
bitter for her? When would she cease
to remember that, as he stood by her
side, the earl seemed to avoid even
touching the silken dress and wedding
veil-that when his hand touched hers
1t was cold? No loving pressure re-
assured her; he barely touched her
finger-tips; he averted his face and
never once, during the whole Of the
ceremony, looked at her. Would she
ever forget the hard, cold voice that
repeated the impressive words, "to
love and to cherish until death us
do part?" How false it all was Who
could look at him and believe that he
loved her?
1t seemed to her that she passed
through a sea of faces, that people
crowded round her as she went down
the church. She saw the long line of
carriages, the profusion Of wedding
favors. She made no attempt to speak;
IL she had done so she would have lost
herself in passion of tears.
At home again, her father took her
in his arms, and kissed her face, whis-
pering:
my daughter Countess of Caraven."
Lady Richie had attempted a very
mild caress.
1T went off very WE'LL" she said.
Lord Caraven looked tired. had no
idea that We should have so many peo-
pie there. 1 hope my fichu was all
right. There were very handsome
dresses"
"A very pretty wedding" put in
Lord st. Maure. 81 feel that l have
been busy to-day in good cause"
But the man who had married Hill
dred Ransome spoke never word.
Then came the wedding breakfast
Arley Rausome made a speech, de-
scribed the day as the proudest of his
life, passed magnificent eulogium on
his son-in-law and then sat down.
1here was deep silence when the
newly made husband stood up to make
his speech. No one quite knew why,
but an uncomfortable sensation came
over all. He had but little to say. If
he had put into words the thoughts
that surged through his brain, he
would have said: Ladies and gentle
men, have been a spendthrift and a
prodigal; | have spent large fortune
but l have committed the shabbiest,
tt,io1 nnf Of fa 10
have married a young girl for her
money and 1 do not even like her;
what is still worse, l never shall"
That was what he thought. What he
said was an indistinct murmur; an at
tentive listener could distinguish only
the words honor" pleasure" and
future" The earl sat down again
without having once looked at the face
of his wife.
1t seemed to her that she had been
sitting there for hours! a small bunch
of purple grapes lay on her plate;
glass of wine stood untouched by her
side; some one was speaking to her,
appealing to her by her new name.
What does Lady Caraven say?"
She did not know what had preced-
ed the question, so could not answer
it, but she looked round with a smile
that satisfied the questioner.
Then the carriage drove up to the
door, and the bride went to change
her dress. Lady Richie went with her;
the girls forlorn manner and wistful
face had touched even that worldly
heart.
T hope you will be happy, Lady
Caraven," she said. when they read
the account of your wedding, every
woman in London will envy you."
Envy mel" she re-echoed-"I, who
have neither mother nor sisters!"
my dear Lady Caraven, you have
a husband and father, which l think
better. Let me give you one little bit
of advice. You are going to face the
great cold world; have nothing to do
with sentiment, and as far as possible
care more for yourself than any one
else"
"That is not happy marriage"
thought Lady Richie, as she turned
away. What sad face the girl has!
Yet she has married an earl. Well,
some people are never satisfied"
Lord Caraven babe his adieus; he
shook hands with Arley Ransome,
cutting short gushing speech that the
lawyer had carefully prepared. Then
Arley Ransome was touched again.
Some one said that Lady Caraven was
in the morning room, waiting to say
good-by to him alone.
The tender arms were clinging
round him, the dark eyes looking into
his-a sad, wistful face, full of pathet-
ic inquiry, was near his own.
Papa" she whispered, and there
was an agony of entreaty in her voice,
you are quite sure that you have not
deceived me-you are quite sure that
1 can be happy without love?"
He laughed.
"You will find that the Countess of
Caraven has more to think about than
a trifle like love, Hildred."