The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-11-27

s
he bought her a sparkling solitaire
Early wished TO be married the next
week, but Mrs Lauly would not listen to
such an arrangement
Lily is my only daughter" she said,
'and four months from the day Of your
engagement is the earliest date l will even
consider"
The day was set and preparations went
on on most extensive scale.
The best man and the maid of honor had
mutually agreed that Early should not APP
pear at the altar until the noon hour, and
that Lily should be punctual to the min
ute. Both of these officials were persons
whose minds were evenly balanced and
they thought the habits of Early and Lily
most unreasonable. They had long con-
situations together, and as the eventful
day approached both felt confident that at
last the bride and groom would tick at the
same minute with the rest of the world
The day of the wedding dawned bright
clear and springlike. The best man was
obliged to go for the minister, but he had
spent several minutes impressing upon
Early the fact that he must not leave the
house for three-quarters of an hour at
least, and that he, the best man, would
be waiting for him in the anteroom of the
church. Early seemed in no hurry and
cheerfully agreed to all he proposed.
The maid of honor herself superintended
the dressing of Lily, and saw that she was
ready in ample time. Then she drove TO
the church with the bridesmaids, leaving
Lily standing in the hall waiting to follow
In the next carriage.
The best man had to wait for the minis
ter, and did not reach the church until
11:5O O'Clock. He rushed into the room
where he expected to find Early. It was
empty! He looked through a small open
ing between the curtains which separated
him from the church proper, and his heart
sank within him, for there In full view
of the incoming relatives, stood Earlyi
To all outward appearances the groom was
as calm as jf he were waiting on a cor
ner for a car.
The best man consulted with the minis
ter
ut isn't right to leave him there alone,
but If Join him shall act like an idiot,
and I'm fully convinced he win never re-
treat until Miss Latily arrives"
1T Is a strange case surely" murmured
the minister. 1.-THE only thing for you to
do Is to wait for the bridal party and join
him as they, approach
The majority of The people who had been
asked to the wedding expected 1t would be
different from any other they had ever at
tended and after they had been in the
church a few minutes they became accus-
toned to seeing Early Rapidlo standing
alone at The altar facing them.
Immediately after his friend, the best
man, had left him Early had caught up
his hat and gloves and had dashed from
the house. Upon arriving at the church he
had walked sedately In. and had taken up
his position IN front of the altar, like a
general who will never leave the field until
his mission is accomplished.
AT u O'Clock precisely the bridesmaids
arrived at the, church. They turned TO see
II Lily was behind them, but she was not
there. They entered the vestry and could
hear the choir singing from within.
Wen have to go in In about five min
utes," whispered one usher to another, las
the singing will stop, and something must
be done to support Rapidio; he has been
there nearly an hour now"
The wedding party formed themselves
in line and waited anxiously for the bride.
AS the singing ceased the two ushers
In front, thinking they had received a sig
nal to start, walked slowly up the aisle
to the strains of Lohengrin. They thought
the rest of the procession was behind them
and did not realize they were alone until
they reached the steps leading to the al
tar when upon turning they saw their
position. They remained where they were
however and apparently were not discon-
certed.
BY the starting Of the first two ushers a
plan was rapidly developed in some one of
the bridal party's heads. The organist was
notified, and once more the wedding march
was played AS the opening chords were
again heard two other ushers went up the
aisle This was repeated until the eight
ushers two at a time, and the four brides
maids also two by two, walked calmly up
to the chancel railing. Then the march was
PLAYED again, and the maid of honor ap-
peared alone The case was desperate, but
the assembled people must be kept quiet.
and she came bravely on.
The best man had long since been desert
ed by the minister. who felt it his duty to
take his place as the first two ushers ap-
peared. Left alone behind the curtain, he
had worked himself up into terrible fd-
get. When he saw the maid of honor come
in alone, however, he rushed out, and
| stood by Early's side. People afterward re-
marked that he was the only agitated one
in the whole party.
All this time Early had stood like stat
ne The coming in of the bridesmaids and
ushers had not disturbed his serenity.
At this moment there was a commotiou
/ at the entrance OF the church. The we'd
ding march pealed forth again, vibrating
/ through the edihce, as Lily, leaning on the
arm of her father, and wearing a diamond
/ sunburst. the gift of the groom. majestic
ally. and as if she were on time, sailed
! grandv W the aisle
There were signs of returning life On
| Early. lie hastily led his bride TO the al
| tar. The ceremony began, the minister had
reached the words.
"If any person see just cause why when
/ Early began TO back away from the altar.
! He kept firm hold of Lily's hand. The maid
| Of honor snatched up the brides train
| the best man, nervously clutchIng the
! ring, kept as close 20 Early as possible; the
! minister walked facing them and spoke
as rapidly as he could, and The bridesmaids
and ushers followed. Mr. Latily gave his
! daughter away at the first pew, then he
| slipped into seat beside his wife.
Thus the whole bridal party became a
moving body, keeping step to the minis
/ ter's voice. Halfway down the aisle, the
ring was put on, and as the bride and
| groom reached the threshold Of the
! church the blessing was pronounced.
Early conducted his wife to the carriage
and they drove 10 the Latilys' house to re-
ceive the congratulations OF their friends.
| As the best man and the maid Of honor