The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1898-04-01
"Ready?" she cried. glancing at the

ntduy she cTleQ, SlduCluS d. lue
little malachite clock on the mantle, as
the last summons came. Surely it is
not time yet 1 won't dress till / am
obliged See here. little one" to Mat
tie, I've an idea of seeing what l am
like in this fine bridal garb of mine.
You are about my height and build
You shall put on the wedding dress and
vail, the white satin slippers and the
wreath
81, Miss Augusta?"
you. Why not? Quick. Off with
that sober brown bingham. that makes
such all insignificant brown sparrow OF
your
And half laughing. half reluctant,
Matte Everett obeyed. not altogether
averse to decking herself, even though
1t was in jest, with the brilliant robes
and respondent pearls of the heiress.
The reflection in the mirror brought
the rosy carmine to her cheeks. Invol-
UNFAIRLY she dropped her eyes,
You are charming, ma petite" cried
Miss Bellefont. But stay-the bouquet
from the other room. Wait half
second and I will bring it,
"Oh. Miss Bellefont, let me go!''
mo; I'll cut it in minute"
And away she fitted.
One minute went by, two, three. four
and five, and still Miss Bellefont did not
come back. Matte began to grow un-
easy. and ventured to peep into the
room beyond. No one was there.
The girls heart gave a great jump
at the same moment the bevy of brides
maids fluttered into the room.
Come, Augusta, are you ready? The
groom is waiting-the clergyman's
come, and -. Why, Miss Everett"
Matte grew scarlet.
"She made me put it on" she fall
tered, conscious of the awkwardness of
her position.
And where is she?" demanded in
dignantly Mrs. Bellefont.
Gone for the bouquet
They made immediate search for her,
but, as the reader will probably conjec-
ture. Miss Augusta was far away, and
only a note, which Clara Mordaunt,
the second bridesmaid found slipped
into the window casing, gave an idea
of her whereabouts
"Good-by," it said debonnairly. 81
love Harry Fisk and have gone to mar
ry him. A. B."
And in the midst of the melee Ma
jor Carlyle's tall head was seen, tow
ering over the rest like Saul above his
fellows.
Gone, has she?'' said he, with a
composure which was quite wonderful,
under the circumstances And l am
left to wear the mitten. But who is
this little ghost in the wedding robes?"
Matte Everett lifted her pleading
eyes to his.
Il didn't mean to do wrong" she said
ooh, believe me, sir, I knew nothing of
all this
Major Carlyle looked gravely at
her.
Here is BRIDE" he said, "and here
is the wedding feast, the clergyman and
the guests-and, last of all, the groom!
So think it would be pity to lose
the wedding. If Miss Bellefont does
not care for me, that is no sign that
others may not. Come here, little
Matte Everett you be the bride?"
Matte looked in his face minute,
and then she said:
Eyes"
1t was strange wedding, but it was
a wedding, after all.
And Matte is happier now than she
ever dreamed it possible to be.
She has gained her wish-she is a
rich and fashionable lady now, and or
ders all her dresses from Madame Gen
evieve.
Mr.. and Mrs. Fisk are living in Paris,
happy and impecunious, and Major Car
lyle is just as devoted to his pretty
young wife as if he had never had any
other love.