The National tribune., 1900-10-04

| reaching for picture, his hand accidens
tally caught hers. The touch thrilled him,
but before he could withdraw his hand.
she returned the grasp warmly, strongly
and cordially. He turned his look upod
her with swift, glad surprise, and met hef
steady blue eyes, opened upon his with q
light that seemed all at once to kindle q
joyous flame in his heart. Instead OF
withdrawing his hand he clasped hers the
harder, and he thought she returned the
pressure. His face beamed with gladness
so evident, that smile curved her lips.
'Ahenv' said Amanda in loud, quiz
zical way.
Shorty dropped Maria's hand as if it
were a hot potato, his face became a
fame, and he fed to his seat on the wood
pile.
Missy" said Maria, composedly but Sc.
verely, what re you doing out O. ths
kitchen? You mustn't leave them cook
les for minute. They'll be sure to burn.
| told you before"
1t was now noon, and after a dnnef
meagerly contrasting with the usual plen-
ty Of the Deacons board, the family ar
rayed themselves in their best,- to drive
over to Mrs. Bayly's for the wedding.
81 and Shorty got themselves up in theiR
best dress-parade style. As their uniforms
were new they felt well-enough dressed
for any function, and strode into the midst
of the crowd-dressed in their Sunday
best"-gathered in and around Mrs. Bay
ly's modest dwelling, with a feeling OF
entire equality, il not superiority, so fan
as attire went.
They were being waited for. Annabel,
dressed in white SWISS" which her own
hands had fashioned in to a wedding robe,
| with loving anticipations for every stitch,
was sweetly roselike in her beauty, and
Sis heart bounded with proud rapture as
he looked upon her. For the first time
she kissed him boldly before her mother.
-.-tA l.. Il II.
shyly; "the minister's waiting for u.s."
She put her hand on Sis arm, and he
marched into the next room, coming into
the position Of Attention" before the
preacher, as stiffy and solderly as il
about to receive orders from Col. McGilli-
cuddy.
The words that were to make them one
were soon spoken, kisses and congratuia-
tlons came in tumult, and then 81 led
his young wife off to the buggy in which
they We're to lead the infare home. To
Shorty fell the duty Of escorting Mrs.
Bayly, and when he saw her weakness and
pain in moving, an inspiration of compass
sion seized him. He picked her up in his
strong arms, as il she We're child, and
carried her tenderly out to the spring
wagon, much to Maria's admiration, and
supported her with his arm during the
drive home. The merry, laughing, sing
ing crowd followed them, on horseback
and in vehicles, literally overfiowing the
K1egg house with noisy mirth. The havoc
they made in Mrs. Klegg's delicacies was
only equaled by the layishness of their
praise upon the excellence of all set be-
fore them. The feast was well-nigh over,
and some of the girls had begun organ
iZing games, when horse galloped up,
and a boy from the station entered and
handed 81 telegraph envelope. Every
voice became at cnce stiled, and every
eye was turned on Si, as he tore the en-
velope open, and scanned the yellow paper
it contained.
Marching orders, Shorty; we're want
ed" he said, as he passed the yellow pa
per to his partner.
Shorty started to read the telegram,
but he was too slow for the impatient
Maria, who snatched the dispatch from
him, and read aloud:
Sergeant Josiah Klegg: You and Eli
OFT go to Indianapolis by next train, and
bring on detachment No officers avail
able. Make all haste. Movement al.
ready beginning.
T. q. McGillicuddy, Colonel.
81 think the army's just the hatefulest
thing alive" said Maria, with her blue
eyes full of tears.
CTo be continued)