The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-23
The Bride Changed Her Mind

You say you don't believe In fate, you
fellows" said young Fred Julian, as he
entertained party OF boon companions In
his bachelor rooms. We'll. that's because
at present you haven't had an opportunity
of judging from personal experience"
well, and have your asked a chorus
OF voices.
"Ratherl II was a little incident that
occurred ABOUT SIX months ago. interest,"
ing-to me, at Ieast-and If you like III
tell you all about it,
DO" said his friends. and the young
man lounged back in his chair and with
eyes on the fire commenced his narrative
without much ado
1T was one lovely day in July OF last
year." he began. and / was starting iu.
bilantiy OF for months holiday at Scar
borough. Knowing my luxurious habits
rs you do. my friends. you will not be sur
prised to hear that when I reached Kings
Cross / selected corner seat of a first
class smoker, and provided myself with
plenty of cigars and magazines. To COM
plete my anticipation of pleasant jour-
ney. just as had settled myself Gums
fortably and the guard gave his whistle.
the door opened and pretty, excited
Young lady came bursting in. She seemed
relieved at having caught the train and
sat down In state of breathless and smil-
ing exhaustion.
Il looked over at her from my core
ner: SO did loudly dressed, bound-
ish looking young man from his, for
sne was an extremely pretty girl. with
brown. curly nair, small features, and
the daintiest little figure in the world.
| frowned at the loudly dressed young
man. and he frowned at me, and just
then the girl caught my glance Of adj
miration. She stiffened. and then her
eyes fell upon my cigar. which had
left smoldering in my hand and look
of severe displeasure came into her
face
Are you aware. SIR she said,
austerely. tina. this is not q smoking
carriage?
Isn't it?' I answered, looking up
at the window. Why. goodness me.
they must have forgotten to take tbs
label down.
The girl followed my glance. and at
the sight of the partially obIite-ated
letters. half concealed by the blind.
her face crimsoned with modification.
and biting her lip she took up a paper
hurriedly TO hide her confusion.
II have made the same mistake,
my dear said a kindly matron on har
right. 1t doesn't matter much; a little
smoke won't hurt us. will tt?
No, must change at the next stz-
tion.' she returned sweetly.
Excuse me, l broke in but this is
an express train
Do YOU mean to say it doesn't stop
at PROFESSIONALISM
1T doesn't stop at ALL said. until
We get to York
..!m so sorry 1 murmured. turning
to the girl Can / assist you in any
way If il is a case of necessity, you
know. we can communicate with the
guard
"'oh. no-that isl mean / dsn't think
it would be considered So. she slam-
mered her lace suddenly suffused with
bushes You see. 1 was going to =
wedding
The elderly matron smiled. had all
could do to repress my amusement.
while the loudly dressed young man In
the corner sniggered audibly.
'''Oh. we'll. / shouldn't let that worry
me. Ii l were you,' l said, SO: hirgly.
It's disappointing. but they will be able
to fix it up without YOU.
THE bushes deepened, and the girl
hung her head.
I'm afraid they-I mean l. r
"She broke of in confusion, and the
old lady bent toward her.
81 quite understand, my DEAR she
said. 1t wouldn't be wedding with
out the bride. I'm sorry for you. but
you mustn't fret. 1t can't be helped
now. and you must send a wire directly
TO York
This seemed to raise the girls spirits
and she began to laugh, little hysterf-
cally perhaps at first. Then she thanked
me prettily for doing nothing and begged
me to smoke, and declared she really
didn't mind the smell at all, but rather
liked it When the train rushed through
she laughed more merrily
still, and was so charming and unaffected
that long before we reached York we
were chatting together like old friends.
We found out that we had mutual ae-
1uaintances. that our respective homes
were situated but few miles from each
other and many interesting facts.
When the train drew up proposed to
assist her in finding out the telegraph Of
ice, and thither therefore we went.
I don't think I'll send a wire after
ALL she said, hesitatingIy; as We found
he place.
'Why?' I said in some surprise.
" 'Because-because / think I'll so
straight home
" But think OF the anxiety of the poor
chap, l said feelingly. Why, he may be
thinking all kinds of dreadful things have
to YOU
''She stood irTesolute for a moment;
hen she picked up form and wrote. and.
'or the life of mo, could not resist look
ng over. All that she said was:
I have changed my mind-Phyllis.
/" OF all the cool cheek, that is the cool
,ste" l thought.
But 1 stepped back and pretended to
be much interested in the eompany's
time table.
Now. we must find out the next
rain back. 1 said, as she turned again
10 me: and then we will have SINE
lea. You must want some bdly.'
But your train-you will surely lose
IT, she murmured,
&c York is my destination I said tn
ruthfully.
After that 1 found that there was no
rain for an hour, and We took our way to
he tea room, where my pretty companion
made me her willing and sympathetic con-
dant She was unhappy. very unhappy.
t home, and in an unguarded moment had
greed to a runaway match without tho
knowledge of her parents. Now she was
thankful that she had been prevented 1t
eemed like fate. That was the summary
I her remarks.
There. now, you fellows. broke OF the
arrator abruptly. Il needn't tell you
much more; only that We each exchanged
ards. agreed to see one another in Lon
on, and that we parted cheerfully at
FORK"
And did you fulfill those promises?"
aid one of the listeners, with interest.
"Ob. yes We have seen some little OF