River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1899-06-22

turned. Sarah. of course, was not pres
ent; but she had begged her mother TO
go. and Mrs. Prentice was sure that she
had seen tears in her eyes when she
babe her good-by.
I'm so afraid she does care, after
all, "Nshe said to herself. I'm Just glad
did tell Hannah Matilda that liei''
The past week had hardened Mrs.
Prentice, and she looked her neighI,ors
boldly in the face and talked volubly
about HGnnah's rousseau The min
lister arrived promptly at two o'clock.
but still the guests sat waiting.
II guess it's a-goin' to be something
cut o 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"
1--WE all know it's late enough" an
swered another woman, who sat near
Mrs. Prentice in the bay window, but
guess you amt given the right rea-
son. I've been a-sittin' by this win
dow steady ever since | came in, and
Jerry Rogers amt arrived yet! No one
can make me believe he has"
The guests all startled and looked at
each other in amazement. then sought
conference with her nearest neighbor.
81 shouldn't say it to others, Mis-
Prentice" whispered the one who had
spoken last, leaning over and laying
a black mittened hand on Mrs. Prem
tees arm, ''but l don't feel no conf
dence that he intends to turn up.
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 finished
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 sllirt-almost as if
seeking support under some new hor-
ror.
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:
20, you wicked, deceitful womanl /
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 a
crumpled paper towards her, yes,
you'd better take and read it, though
you alreaay 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 a 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
2:3O 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 | mind"
All eyes were turned toward her, and
Mrs. Prentice was quite forgotten. She
now tottered forward, stretching out
her trembling hands.
Its that lie | told! It's that lie! O,
If had never told it she wouldn't think
l had known! O." she went on, catch