The Opelousas courier., 1899-12-23

now, come get your things OF and ST
AID get warm while they hitch up.
She allowed herself to be led back an.
seated by the stove, while Hannal
ran to the bedroom for her wraps ant
Benson went cut and gave orders t.
the hired man to harness as quickl!
as possible.
Cant you drink this cup O. tea?'
asked Mrs. Benson, anxiously. "Wh,
yours attending all over. What is
the matter:"
Its nothing but a spell, Mis- Ben
son." said the poo: woman, hoarsely.
Il can't take any teal must be get
TIN home.' Hannah helped her on
with her wraps and lei he- to the
door.
It seemed years to Mrs. Prentice
since she had crossed that same
threshold, an honest, truthful woman,
to spend the afternoon and take tea
with her friend; she passed out now
with the burden OF a lie upon her
sonl.
II gaess I wouidn'ttry to make her
talk any, pa" said Benson's wife to
HIM, lust drive her home as quick as
you can"
Il can't make out what took hey so
sudden" she said to her daughter as
they went back into the house,
II don't know, Tn sure" replied
Hannah, ''but I'm glad she was able
to get -home. 1t would have been
dreadful awkward, with Jerry coming
this evening, to have to keep her
here"
By the time Mrs. Prentice reached
home she felt a little better. One can
become accustomed to almost ANYTHING
even to telling lies. There amt
any way out of it now" she kept saw
ing to herself. eve just got to bear
Perhaps Sarah will get engaged
someone before the year is out, and
then they'll never suspect"
Benson helped her out carefully, and
insisted on leaving his horse and
going with her to the door. Seems
me you're a little smarter, Mis-
Prentice, said he. 81 guess the fresh
done You good"
Yes guess itdid," she answered,
and as she said it felt a fresh pang-
it was not the truth.
As.the days passed by, Mrs. Prem
Ice was struck with Sarah's cheerful
tanner. She went frequently to the
woods for mayHowers and came back
With rosy cheeks and sparkling eyes.
she certainly doesn't care any mora
bout jerry Rogers" thought her
mother; "there may be some one else
he's a-thinkin' of, or I don't see how
he can be SO cheerful when Hannah's
carriage is SO les I just feel in nv
ones that it'll all come right"
The wedding day came at last, aud
ike one in a dream, Mrs. Prentice
ound herself seated in the Bensons'
arlor, near the window, waiting for
he minister. She had been among
be first to arrive, for she knew that
erry's desertion of. Sarah would be
be principal theme of conversation if
er back. were turned. Sarah. of
curse, was not present; but she had
egged her mother to go, and Mrs. Prem
&c was sure that she had seen tears
l her eyes when she babe her goodby.
I'm 60 afraid she does care after ALL"
be said to herself. "I'm just glad I
id tell Hannah Matilda that lier'
he past week had hardened Mrs.
rentice, and she looked her neigh
ors boldly in the face and talked vol
about Hannah's tr~ousseau. The =,
mister arrived promptly at 2 o'clock, =
ut still the guests sat waiting.
y guess it's a-goin' to be some
ling out of the ordinary" said one
oman at last. ~"Do you know, L. Jest
ent into the other room to look at
ie clock, and it's goin' on to B." Z
1--WE all know it's late enough" an
Rred another woman whjsat near &
N. Prentice in the bay window, q
guess you amt given the right s
as42. I've been a-sittin' by this t
Inv steady ever since 1 came in. t
I'd Jerry Rogers amt arrived vet! r
. can make me believe he has" 9
The guests all started and looked a
each other in amazement. then c
ught conference with her nearest 8
'ighbor. f
Il shouldn't say it to others, Mis- n
'entice," whispered the one who n
q spoken last, leaning over and law S
8 a black-mitted hand on Mrs, Prem
arm, ''but 1 don't feel nc conf
nee that he intends to turn up. T T
ways thought Hannah caught him 4
ainst his will, and he amt the kind v
at say no to a body's face" a.
RS. Prentice turned a white, scared T
.nntenance upon her. lyon don't I,
yen don't mean-' she said. II
low her breath, but she never fin v
.ei the sente Ice, for the door burst W
en-, aud Hannah Matilda stood, in 81
the splendor of bridal array, before St
Her veil vas throwa back ~
her large, plain features, b,
lite as narb,el, and her hands. in "
sir tight white gloves, clutched ney- Il
asly at the folds of her rich satin -,
rt-almost As if seeking support Ii
der some new horror. Fer eyes II
.aned the frightened faces Def re- ri
:, o1e by one, until they fell Oh the hi
up in the bay window; :hen Staging l.,
Mrs. Prentice she screamed: aOh. Of
! wicked, dsceitfnl woman! / nj
nted to know whether you had
ed to come here, before I asked nv
'sts to come ont and try my we'd.
9 cake. Here" extending one is,
with q cfuaapled paper toward on
!, Yes, y,oh'd better take aud read
laosaa saa a'lssly know il veil ID