Hopkinsville Kentuckian., 1900-08-31

Tor the hrst and last time her whom /
shall never forget
No sound disturbed the apple
scented air of this summer morning,
no cloud crossed the blue above; the
sun fell full and warm on the white
washed. shuttered windowed house at
one side of the empty square, leaving
in welcome shadow the medieval
church. with its gray porch and
weather-beaten towers, through
whose apertures the bells are seen.
had been looking at the manned,
worn and weary-looking figure of n
saint on whose loneliness a swallow
had taken pity and built himself
nest, in the niche which sheltered
both, when turning leisurely round
caught sight of figure just entering
the square-the spectre-like figure Of
a tail, thin. elderly woman, slightly
stopped, wearing a white muslin dress
suited to her girlhood a white veil
upon her gray hair, bouquet of flow
ers In her gloved hands.
Quite alone she almost darted
across the open sunny space, her
tread 1.-THE and graceful. with some
thing of gayety i'm her movements,
and something of expectation in her
haste. Unheediug me. she passed
close to where | stood. when saw her
yellow face without lines or wrinkles,
and with a childlike expression, her
fine dark eyes lighted by hope, her
gray hair braided and ornamented
With srray Of white now6ts, her
rather w,do mouth. with it's parched-
hooking thin lips open and showing
the loss of sevprnl teeth
The quietude with which she had
waited now became disturbed She
lifted her head, made an impatient
gesture with her shoulders and half
arose, but as she did a noise was heard
in the vestry, a latch was raised,
door opened and an able, worn, sad
hooking old man with wrinkled face
and thin gray hair, advanced and
stood before her. He had neither sur
plice nor stole over his black, thread
bare eassock. She at once rose up
and threw back her veil
Il am first to arrive, my father" she
susd, in a hurried, anxious voice, low
cred almost to a whisper, "but he will
be here presently-presently."
'No; my child, fear he will not
come here to-day" the priest an
sweFed, soothingly, sadly.
-LsUt this is the day we fixed on so
bong ago, and, oh, how long it has
been coming round. He will certain
Ey he hero soon"
4 think not" replied the able
But know he will He waited for
the day with such hope, and last night
he sat with us, my mother and my
self, until late. He brought me these
Bowers to wear to-day, and when we
parted he said it would be for the last
time"
ut was for the last time, Marie; for
1he last time"
She paused and the attitude of her
head showed that she was puzzled by
Abe words, to which she made no re-
ply.
Nov so home, my child, the able
said.
what can keep him2" she asked,
sob in her throat.
'Do you not understand me- Marie?
He can never come back to you; it is
Gods will"
Gods WILL" she repeated, in be-
Wildered tone "but he loved me and
love him. l love him better than all
the world besides"
"You will meet him again, soon it
may be, but not here, not here" the
abhe said, his sad voice full of com
passion.
~Yes, here-here-here," she an
Ewered, emphatically, hurriedly. Gle
said last night when next we met it
would be at the altar, and that we
should part no more. know he
would not leave me, he loves me too
we'll; but if he does not come to-day
ne will come soon, and will keep my
love for him warm--warm; deep down
in my heart"
Her voice broke in a sob, and she |
hung her head. Age had been power.
less to chill her faithful heart.
spray to God, my child, and He will |
comfort you" said the abbe's soothing !
voice
sour marriage-it was to take place |
On Friday, and this is Friday, my !
iather. What keeps him from me?"
Ehe asked, her thin voice fun of tears. |
fan of anxiety IF not to-day surely |
he viii come next Friday?"
"You must go home now, Marie
you must go home" the able said,
hrmly.
at is empty" she answered, dis
eonsolately
"And may God grant you peace" he |
said making the sign Of the cross
above her
AS ] fingered there ] saw the abbo
leave the church, whereupon our eyes |
meeting. he saluted, and after some
exchange Of civilities / asked about |
ihe unhappy woman ] had just seen
IA bridal array
., Nfovfo 10. 81