The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-05-16

! which even a scientist could scarcely
have mistaken. Barron watched tho
| play at first I'm fear. but afterwards In
! surprise. Ii appeared 10 him that Peter
| did not suffer as he SHOULD have suf-
| fered. He certainly became more silent
| but the glances he returned 10 the ene-
my were entirely free from confusion.
| You don't seem 10 hurt him" said
Barron at last. What is wrong?'
There's nothing wrong" was the
| sharp retprt. HE is unusually stupid,
| that IL all"
Barron laughed Nothing OF the
kind" he said. "He is looking at you
| continually, and perhaps you notice
that his interest is visiby increasing.
J Don't natter yourself. Pattie: psease
don't. He Is simply studying the for
nation of your head. for anthropologi-
cal purposes. Peter has a mania for
skulls
After that blow Barron retreated
with honor, and bore the groomsman
with him. They spent an hour before
| sleep in going over the duties OF the
morning, Peter making further notes
| I'm his book with face OF unexpected
| Interest and earnestness. When this
was done he said:
That young woman, Miss Pattie, has
a fine pair Of eyes. John"
| "Yes? said Barron. expectantly.
Yes. / saw her looking at this old
| coat OF mine. LII is certainly faded,
| though | have never noticed IL before.
| and perhaps she thought 1 intended 10
have brought my blue one-I am sure
she--I mean you--wi1 like it,
What WAS coming TO Peter? Barron
4 gaZed at his pleased and contented face
| in growing amazement. Could IL be
possible tha+ Miss -Pattie had worked
this sudden change? Here was retri-
! button. indeedl
John" said the anthropologist. a lit
| tie more hesitatingly, little nervous
| ly, II believe there liz an old custom
| a groomsmans pTivilege-to-to-hem
TO kiss the bridesmaid"
"Eh?" cried Barron. ''the bride. YOU
mean. not the bridesmaid. You kiss
| the bride"
"oh," said Peter. "the bride, is it,
| not the bridesmaid? 1 see.'' and IL
! seemed TO Barron that his face had
| fallen a little. But his own amazement
! was so great that he could scarcely
take notice. He tried 10 imagine how
Pattie would look IL Peter tried 10 car
ry out his mistaken idea of the old GUS
tom. and he wished with all his heart
that he had left the thing alone. Then
he said Good night" TO Peter. and
hastened away to his own room to
laugh in peace.
In the morning Peter appeared in the
dreaded coat. Ii was "A dark blue, and
he was so pleased With the effect thbe
! Barron, who had prepared another coat
| for him. could not find courage 20 de-
stroy his illusions. After ALL" he
| thought, peter looks very neat; ii rs
| 10 be a very quiet wedding, and every
| thing viii be over In half an hour So,
! he actually congratulated him upon mis-
appearance, and nerved himself TO meet
the consequences.
The carriage took them To the church
where they prepared to wait i'm the
vestry until the bridal party should ar
rive. There Barron spent a few anxi-
| Gus moments in reminding Peter of his
various duties. IL was at this point that
a sudden and startling thought occur
red to him.
Peter" he exclaimed "have you the
rng?"
What ring?" cried Peter. astounded.
"No-upon my world haven't"
The bridegroom said something under
his breath. He had NOT given Inc ring
into Peters charge on the previous
night fearing that he might leave 1t
behind him. and up TO the present mo-
ment that horrid coat had so troubled
his mind that the =matter had quite es-
capped him. The ring had been forgot-
! ten,
He made rapid calculation. His
house was not far Off, and the missing
article could yet he obtained. IL was
true that the bride would arrive di-
rectly. but If Peter made an effort. he
might return with the ring by the time
It would be needed.
Rum" ne saii-"run" You know
where it is--ln my writing desk Run!"
Peter did not wait for further in
structions lie caught up the nearest
hat--which happened 20 be Barron's--
and rushed out by 2 side door There
was no vehicle within call. and he could
not go i'm search OF one. Clapping Bar
ron's hat over his brows. he tore away
through the quiet churchyard. the tails
OF his blue coat hyinc behind him.
when he reached the house. he
knocked twice without effect Then
he perceived that every ono must have
gone TO the church. and turned ian de-
spcir and helplessness. As ne turned
he saw that one OF the drawing room
windows had been LEFT unhasped and
slightly open.
There was only one thing to be done.
He gave n furtiVe glance up and down
the silent sunny street, and then
pushed the sash higher. There was an
awkward scramble, and the hat was
crushed against the top or the window.
In a moment more n vas safely in
side.
The desk was found. bat it was
locked. I'm his agitation Barron had
never thought uf giving the keys Peter
looked about him once more. picked up
poker. and with one or two blows de-
stroycd the lock.
There was the ring. ell ready In rs
| case. There also was BarOn's pocket
book. which had been forgotten Ike
the ring. Pctsr grasped the articles.
ana was turning % ~. when he found
himself face 20 face with policeman.
IL was painful meeting. The off,
cer had observed Peters furtive entry.
and had quietly followed. II looked 10
him clear case ~ daylight burglary.
and he was one Of thoee obtuse police
men whose convictions 1t is impossible
10 move. Petcr tried % explain.
"Tt's a wedding" he cried. and this
II the ring. + came back 10 ret g. ana
they are an waiting ~ the church 7
am the Rroomsnan.
Then carl- The treg-dy of the cvat