The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1900-03-22

10 say, 80 cOnteuleO mySeiI ny giving
the cravat vicious twist. Three
minutes later I dashed down the hall
threw a good-by at Aunt Margaret ant
hurried into the yard.
The coachman was driving away
eli, there" shouted Uncle William
from tho front steps. Hold on there
driver! Wilson, stop that hack!"
Wilson was evidently Uncle Viii
liam's next.door ueighbor. He was
leisurely proceeding from his frou'
gate to his own domicile He turned
around slowly and looked at the car
riage and then at Uncls William.
''What for?" he asked. "What's
the matter with it,"
"Hi, there, driver!" shouted Uncle
William again, as I tore down tht
path.
The coaclman drew in his horses
with an air of impatient expectancy.
"What in the world do you mean?'
cried Uncle William, putting in anger,
behind me.
eyes, what do you mean," echoed,
e'driving off without me?"
"Why, SIR" said the evidently
greatly puzzled coachman, with nod
Of his head toward Mr.. Wilson, che
said for
"Well, we'll, well!' cried Mr.. vii
son, joining Us on the sidewalk. "What
does all this mean, anyway? What
are you holding this carriage here
for?'
Uncle William began saying some,
thing under his breath, but was
checked by feminine voice from the
carriage.
"Driver," it asked, ''what's tile
matter?"
''Ohw exclaime Uncle William, a
light breaking in upon him, you've
made mistake here, Wilson. This
is carriage I ordered to take my
nephew to the wedding"
''Oh, I guess not" said Mr.. Wilson,
bristiing up more than ever. ''This
is a carriage I ordered to take my
utSC. W tuS
The two men glare at each other
like wild animals, and I turned from
one to the othe in hopeless perplex-
ity.
"Drive onr' cried Mr.. Wilson, and
the driver drew up the reins.
''Hold onr' cried Uncle William,
and the driver loosened the reins. He
evidently enjoyed the situation.
The two men moved toward each
other, and then Aunt Margaret came
down the path, fastening to the un-
tangling of Uncle Williams mistakes,
as she had been doing throughout
their married life.
s'This is muddle," she said to Mr..
Wilson in her sweetest tones. "The
stablemen have probably got the two
orders confused.
II don't know about that" said
Nh. Wilson, ''but I've got the car
rage"
':But see here" put in Uncle Will
liam. "Dick's best man, and he mustn't
be late at the wedding"
81 can't help that" retorted Mr..
Wilson. "My niece mustn't be late at
the commencement, either"
'.I'll tell you," cried Aunt Margaret,
with sudden inspiration, why can't
they go together? The seminary is
only a little ways beyond Christ
church. I know your niece won't
object if I explain"
Aunt Margaret dashed out into the
street toward the carriage, aud I fol-
lowed, wiping my moist brow, bewa,l-
ing my willing linen and consumed
with impatience.
In the next few seconds I heard
Aunt Margaret making hurried ex-
planation which concluded with cav
fully good OF you, I'm sure, but I
knew you'd consent under the cir
cumstances;" then the door was flung
open, Uncle William gave me a push
from behind, while Aunt Margaret
murmured introductions, and I found
myself stepping into o carriage which
seemed filled with flowers and fluffy
white stuff, from the midst of which
peered tn. face of-Dorothy Melton!
"Why-Dick - Mr. she cried,
half rising from her seat.
I started back with a confused at
tempt at an apology, but Uncle Will
liam hastily slammed the door, and
with a commanding Drive lively
now!" motioned the driver to start.
The horses were off with a jump. and
I sank into the seat opposite the young
woman whom six months ago I had
sworn never to see again.
It was the early dusk of what had
been perfect June day. The street
lamps were not yet lighted, but the
bright moon shone in at the carriage
windows, and I knew Dorothy could
see my hot, flushed face and my ner-
vousness aud embarrassment.
"Miss Melton" I began, feeling
that must say something, I'm e1-
tremely sorry to intrude upon you in
this manner. I had no idea"
"Oh, pray do not mention it," said
Dorothy. II am, OF course, extreme
ly glad to be of any service whatever
to Mrs. Clarkson, and it would be too
bad for you to be late at the we'd
ding"
Dorothy was quite mistress of her
self. She held large bunch of roses
in her arms, having gathered them up
to make room for me; the color, which
/ think lett her face for an instant
when she saw it was I who climbed
into her carriage, returned; her eyes
sparkled, aud never had she looked so
lovely. What fool, l thought, bit.
terly, what fool 1 had been to quar-
rel with her.
"It's to be quite a large wedding, ]
believer" she said, turning her face
full upon me.
The driver was evidently intentupon
reaching the church in time. he turned
a corner 80 sharply that just as I was
about to stammer out commonplace
about the wedding We both were near
" thrown from our seats. Dorothy
threw up her hand, her roses fell in
confusion, and as bent forward hea
dainty fingers lightly brushed my