Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-04-12


My Wedding-day!" she thought to
herself. What would my father think
if he knew this was my wedding-day"
Some little shadow fell over tbs
brightness Of the morning when she
remembered that today Helen Digby
would meet with her fate Then at the
end Of the cOppice she saw Laurie Nj
gent, with an impatient, eager look
on his handsome face. She had just
time to note that he wore a beautiful
white hyacinth, and then he hal
caught sight Of her, and fastened to
clasp her in his arms.
My darling Ethel. how beautiful
You look this morning, You shame
the sun and the flowers. Oh, Ethel,
the sun may well shine so brightly
is our wedding-day!''
They walked on side by side, and the
beauty Of tie scene deepened in the
wood. The dew lay more thickly on
the grass; the sunlight fell brokenlv
through the thick foliage, producing
varying lights and shadows The soil
tude deepened, too, and they seemed to
| be walking away from the rest Of the
world into a fairy-land Of their own.
Laurie turned to take her hands IN
his own.
Shall We ever see anything so fair
as this woodland scene, or be so happy
again in this world?" he asid. Lay
your hands in mine, Ethel, and let US
talk Smile your brightest, my darling
1t is our wedding-day.
She gave him one hand only.
/ cannot spare the other" she ex-
planned. you forget my flowers"
His attention had been so entirely
Iabsorbed in her beautiful face that he
had never even looked at them: but
now he bent forward, and she was
startled by low cry from his lips, by
the sudden pallor Of his face.
Why, Ethel" he cried these are
passion-fowers! Who ever heard Of a
bride with bouquet of passfon-fow-
ers? What an evil omen, my darling!
am not superstitious, but it has
frightened me-"
Nor am L superstitious," she said,
laughing
Why did you gather them?" he
asked. "Passion-fiowers on a wedding
day! Why did you gather them,
Ethel?"
I do not know. They were shining
with dew and close to my hand. I can
not give you any other reason than
that.
You will throw them away, will you
not, Ethel?"
She looked admh'ingIy at them.
I think not" she replied; thai
would be giving away to superstition.
III come of a race that know no fear,
that never looks back, that abides by
what is done. The motto of our house is
Gordon abides by what Godron does.
gathered these flowers thoughtlessly
l own, for my wedding-boquet but !
shall take them with me-"
1T is an evil omen, Ethel"
We will pay no heed to it. I have
no faith in omens"
But he gave her no smiling smile.
Throw them away Ethel, I implore
YOU"
The idea seemed to her both weak
and cowardly.
They must go with me-" she re.
turned What influence can it have
on my future life that i was married
with passion-fioWers in my hand?"
Seeing that she would not yield
Laurie said no more. They walked or
through the dewy brightness of the
summer woods until the spire of the
old church came in view, and Their
Ethel stopped, and her face lost its
color.
Laurie, it is a serious thing, mar
riage. l am almost frightened at i
now
Gordon abides by what Gordo,
does, !" he quoted. You have prom
ised, Ethel; YOU must not break you
word"
Il have no thought of doing So" sh
replied, haughtily; "but I am fright
ened. I had forgotten how solemn
thing marriage is. We are going into
church, and churches always seem t.
me so near to heaven. Oh, Laurie
LAUREL" she cried, marriage lasts un
til death and I am not sure if I Low
you well enough"
But he endeavored to calm her.
My darling Ethel, you are nervous
You are usually brave, my love; yo
must not lose courage. Ethel lik
other young girls, have you eve
dreamed Of your wedding-day?"
Not often" she replied.
Did you ever think it would be lk
this-walking through dewy summe
, wood, the morning air fresh and swee
!. on your face, the song of the birds
your ears, the flowers, like a bevy {
: fair bridesmaids, blooming aroun
= your"
No." she answered; 4 neve
: dreamed of such a wedding as this
They entered the chureh-yard an
= once more Laurie Nugent asked her I
a throw the passion flowers away. Ont
q more she refused; and, by the gree
. graves of the silent dead, Sir Leonard
"a daughter-bright, beautiful, prou
:, Ethel Gordon-passed on her way
the marriage altar.
: CHAPTER XVIII.
n