The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-10-24
Bridesmaid and Bride.

Thrice bridemaid never a BRIDE"
| thought Cecilia Gray, as she agreed 10
| Emily Houston's request that she serve
| as bridesmaid ar her approaching we'd
| ding. so be it" she said to herself.
Il am sure that 1 have never come
across a man that I could marry
| Cecilia and Emily had not seen each
other for five years They had b en-
| schoolmates a2d chums, and on parting
| had sworn ur.dying friendship. This was
/ to be Cecelia's first visit to Emily's
home She made ready for her journey
with many happy antieipations. although
| she was half afraid that she would fn1
Emily changed.
On ahghting at the station in Chicago
she was met by Emily and a tail. good
looking young man, who was intrc ducsd
as ''iny brother Will" Cecilia had heard
of will" He was physician, with
a promising career before him and q
creditable record behind.
do you mind waiting here a little
while?" asked Emily. ''Or are you 100
tired? We are expecting another of my
bridesmaids, Adele Cunningham, on the
2:40. It is due in twelve minutes"
Cecilia did not mind, and they waited.
Miss Cunningham proved to be a viva
cious little brunette, who kept them all
amused and laughing until they reached
the Houston home.
isn't Adele a dear little thing?' de-
manded Emily as soon as she and Ce
celia were alone. "But I like your tall,
fair beauty better. Cecie, dear. o, why
am short and freckled?" She laughed
merrily. She was too happy to deplore
seriously freckles or anything else
"Why don't you get married, Cecie?'
she asked earestly.
81 don't know any one that I care to
marry replied Cecilia Besides, you
are shutting me out from matrimony
Three times a bridesmaid you know"
Nonsense; I expect Claud Stanton
Franks best man, TO fall head over heels
in love with you. The best man always
is captivated by the maid of honor, you
know And you must reciprocate his
affection. CIaud is the incest man I
know. except Frank and willard VIII
is engaged to Adele-but that's secret.
yet You must not breathe it to a
soul"
Alas for human naturel The best man
did not fall in love with Cecilia, but with
Adele, and poor little Adele found her
self growing far too fond Of him. As
for Will, he felt like a knave, for he had
to struggle with all his might to be
loyal to Adele. Cecelia's deep nature
aud stately calm appealed to him as
AdeIe's wit and vivacity never had.
In spite of her absorption in her own
affairs. keen witted Emily soon perceiv-
ed what was going on. At each bridal
dinner or other festivity heldsn honor of
the bride and groom she could not help
making observations that filed her with
uneasiness. That VIII and Adele were
miserable behind the sprightly masks
which deceived every one else; that
Claud would soon propose to Adele, in
spite of the girls clever fencing, she
readily perceived. Only to Cecelia's feel
ings she had no key.
At last the bride decided to interfere.
She felt that she could not go away leav-
ing so much unhappiness behind her.
Two days before the wedding she found
Adele and VIII alone in the library.
Adele" she said boldly, 'why don't
you tell VIII that you no longer love
him?"
The little creature started and blush
ed. but said nothing Will turned almost
angrily to his sister; his rebuke died on
his lips when he saw Adele's confusion.
Emily seized her opportunity,
adele, you and VIII will never be
nee yourself to duty VIII, make her
tell you about it. It's true" And she
left them alone.
Adele burst into tears, but Will man
aged to coax a broken confession from
her He would not allow her to reproRh
herself, but spoke up like man.
I'm a brute. Adele. and you are an
angel. I don't love YOU, either, in the
old way. Cheer up, dear; it's all right.
Emily is a trump; she has saved us from
making a mistake
When Claud Staunton laid his heart at
Adele's feet no later than that evening.
she babe him wait for his answer; but
before she left for home she had prom
ised to be his wife.
After Emilys wedding was over the
maid of honor left almost as soon as
the bride. Adele's new engagement was
announced before many weeks went by.
Then Will sought Cecilia In her far-away
home.
"Will you try to love me a little bit?'
he pleaded.
ST can't" said Cecilia.
But he saw her face and waited for
more. The stately head dropped, and
she spoke so low that he could hardly
hear the words, ''because-because-I love
you already