Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1899-06-26

Sn0S a-Cn1QkluS Ol, lOI uOA oO'
how she can be so cheerful whel
Hannah's marriage is SO near. I jus
feel in my bones that it'll all COM
right"
The wedding day came at last, and
like one in a dream, Mrs. Prentice
found herself seated in the Bensons
parlor, near the window, waiting TO
the minister. She had been anon!
the first to arrive, for she knew tina
Jerry's desertion of Sarah would b.
the principal theme of conversation i
her back back were turned. Sarah
of course, was not present; but sht
had begged her mother to go, ant
Mrs Prentice was sure that she haC
seen tears in her eyes when she badt
her good-by.
I'm so afraid she does care, after
ALL she said to herself "I'm just glaC
did tell Hannah Matilda that lie!'
The past week had hardened Mrs
Prentice, and she looked her neigh
bors boldly in the face and talked
volubly about Hannah's trousseau
The minister arrived promptly at
O'Clock, but still the guests sat wait
ing.
81 guess it's a-goin' to be something
out of the ordinary" said one woman
at last. ''Do you know, jest went into
the other room to look at the clock.
and it's goin' on to three"
eve all know it's late enough" an
swered another woman, who sat near
/ Mrs Prentice in the bay window, "but
1 guess you amt given the right rea-
son. I've been a-sittin' by this win
dow steady ever since I came in, and
Jerry Rogers amt arrived yet! No
one can make me believe he has"
The guests all started and looked at
each other in amazement, then sought
conference with their nearest neigh
Dor.
II shouldn't say it to others, Mis-
Prentice" whispered the one who had
spoken last, leaning over and laying a
black-mitted hand on Mrs. Prentice's
arm, "but I don't feel no confidence
that he intends to turn up. I always
thought Hannah caught him against
his will, and he amt the kind that can
say no to body's face"
Mrs. Prentice turned a white scared
countenance upon her "You don't
think, you don't mean" she said, be-
low her breath; but she never fin
ished the sentence, for the door burst
open and Hannah Matilda stood, in
all the splendor of bridal array, before
them. Her veil was thrown back
showing her large, plain features
white as marble, and her hands, in
their tight white gloves, clutched
nervously at the folds of her rich satin
skirt-almost as if seeking support
under some new horror.
Her eyes scanned the frightened
faces before her, one by one, until they
fell on the group in the bay window;
then singing out Mrs. Prentice, she
screamed:
80, you wicked, deceitful woman!
wanted to know whether you had
dared to come here, before / asked
my guests to come out and try my
wedding cake. Here!" extending one
hand with crimpled paper towards
her, Eyes, you'd better take and read
it, though you already know it well
enough. And just blame you more
an [ do Sarah-yes, | dol"
Her voice rose to a scream, and the
minister forced his way through the
crowd of women, some Of whom were
sobbing with fright, and laid his hand
upon her arm.
Miss Hannah" he said, kindly, but
firmly, 'you forget yourself in speak
ing so to this good woman"
Hannah Matilda turned toward him
like child with no idea of conceal
ment.
"See!" she said, her lip beginning to
tremble, "this notes just been left at
the back door. It's from Jerry Rogers,
and he and Sarah Prentice left on the
2:30 train for Boston, cause he
couldn't speak out plain to a body S
face. And that woman knew and
planned it all, that's what I mind"
All eyes we're turned toward her,
and Mrs. Prentice was quite forgot
ten. She now tottered forward,
stretching out her trembling hands.
tits that falsehood I told! o, if !
had never told it she wouldn't think
had known o." she went on, catching
her breath, "I told you, Hannah Ma
tilda, as Sarah was a keepin' COM
pany cause I was so Jealous. And, O.
what I've suffered this week!
wouldn't live through it again for any
money"
Hannah turned her eyes upon Mrs
Prentice, and her expression seemed
to soften little, but she made no re-
IpIy For a few seconds there was a
breathless silence, then Hannah
turned toward the others.
81 want you all to come out and
have a slice of my wedding CAKE she
said, adding with some spirit, cit came
from a first-rate city confectioner' s
land it'll taste just as good as if there
were a dozen weddings"
Mrs. Prentice allowed herself to be
led out and helped in without word
and the minister had unfastened his