Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1900-02-22

own master; he had no friends 10 con-
suit; and, IL the Squire did not object
who else should?
II have waited long enough for a
wife, Dolores" he said; land, now that
I have most beautiful one promised
to me, why should delay? Come and
make my home bright for me-
She had no reasonable excuse to de-
fer the wedding, nor did she seek for
any 50 the day for the ceremony was
settled.
who will be your bridemaids, Do
lOrcs?' asked Lord Rhysworth one
day, when they were discussing the
wedding
She looked up at him in wondering
surprise.
"Bridemaids! she repe ated. 81 nave
forgotten all about them.
He seized her hand and almost
crushed it in his passionate clasp.
Us it because you are so happy, Do
lores, that you have forgotten these
details?" he asked fercely.
The clear sweet eyes looked calmly
at him.
II am quite content" she replied
You must have brdemaids," he
went on, more composedly. why not
friend, is she not?--Miss de Ferras and
the Misses Fielden? There are three
of them, and with Miss de Ferras you
will have four"
II suppose" she said, 1T Is de
rigueur, but | would much rather be
married without them"
He looked at her in CONSERVATION.
"k have been to many weddings he
replied, and ! have always thought,
Dolores, that after the bride the most
important persons were the bride
maids"
She laughed low, sweet laugh that
dispelled his fears.
II hope, my dear" he said, that, al
though you are marrying a man so
much older than yourself, you will be
as much interested in your wedding as
other girls are We must have it all
in proper order-a superb wedding
dress, magnificent jewels, and a bevy
of fair bridemaids. shall give to each
of them a present worthy of the coca
sion"
She saw that he was little troubled
You forget" she remarked, that
am not accustomed to W ddngs.
have never even seen one
Lord Rhysworth was delighted with
the explanation.
II have been thinking very serious
ly," he said, about whom | shall ask
to be best man You see Dolores
our wedding will be quite u country
affair. | have thought Of asking Sir
Karl Allanmore. like him better
than any one else What do you
Think"
She was silent for some time. She
was asking her own heart If she had
strength enough to bear this; and the
answer was NO" She meant to be a
good and true wife to the generous,
noblc-hcarted man at her side--true
to him in thought, in word, and in
decd; but she would rather that this
other man were not near when she ut.
tered the vows she meant to keep.
Would it not he better" she said, at
last, in clear, cold voice, ito ask one
of your own relatives? After ALL Sir
Karl has nothing to do with us
Perhaps you are right" he re-
Filled "at least, If you prefer it. your
wish shall be law"
II should prefer it, she said, And
one of your cousins from Adershot.
You told me You had two stationed
there"
tie was delighted with the interest
to her proposal. That evening the let
tors were written. first to the Misses
Ficlden, and then to Miss de Ferras
1t SO happened that Lola received
hers on the same morning that Sir
Karl rode over to see madame on bus
moss He heard her laugh as she
opened the letter and read it's con-
tents
What do YOU think have here?"
she said "A pressing invitation to
be chief hridemaid at Dolores weidingl
Are YOU going, Sir Karl? What curl.
Gus turns In life fate gives u.s." She
went on, watching the handsome face
rs she spoke. Il am getting kniwl-
edge fast When came back from
Germany | Thought | should he sure to
marry FIRST; and | used to picture half
the girls IN the uelghborhood weeping
tears Of envy nj my good fortune,
hut now
lie was amused IN spite of himself.
"Rut now" he repeated What is
the difference between then and now?'
Now | see my rival, the white rose,
married first and shall have to weep
t"ars Of envy myself"
! DO YOU know" cited Sir Karl I'M
| pvtuously. that can never tell when
You aro testing and when you are sert-