Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-01-02

throu8 g the
warmth b U ey were
gathering to s. eauty we'd
ded to aee and NS md wore their
handsomsst gowns il honor OF the oc-
casion. The church inside was elabo-
rateIy decorated with palms and flow
ers, and the organ, accompanied by
violins and harps. played softly to the
constantly increasing assemblage. The
warm all. was sweet with the scent Of
flowers and alive with whispers and the
rustic of silks. Outside CIV ragged
children and women shiveIv ION the
edge Of the red strip Of carpet, eering
expectanily through the opening as the
occupants Of each carriage alighted and
passed by them. Finally their wishes
were graified as two carriages drove up
and four young women descended from
each. One Of the figures was enveloped
In a white veil. and the onlookers
stared at her rapturously as she passed.
But they had hung around the edges OF
weddings long enough to know that this
was not just the proper mode OF pro-
cedure.
Funny she did not come with her
guy and her old man." remarked one,
critically.
The eight young women walked
swiftly through the church entrance
and into a small room. which opened
into the left aisle. Here they threw
off their wraps and stood in their
shimmering pink gowns, a curious con-
trast to the solemn oak and stone of
the little room. The bride sunk into
a chair and drew her wrap more closely
around her. There was noticeable
lack In the girls manner of the gayety
and chaff usual to such an occasion,
but the white-robed young woman
talked on with forced animation until
the girls gathered around small mir
ror which had been placed there for
them in corner OF the room. While
they stood before the glass absorbed in,
the arrangement of their hair and
gowns, she dropped back into her chair,
and an expression of listless WEAKNESS
came into her face Suddenly there
sounded through the quiet of the streets
the unmistakable rythm of drum beat,
and band struck up When Johnnie
Comes Marching Home"
Miss Carolan laughed. us that in
my honor?" she asked.
NO." answered one of the girls, "that
is the Fourth coming home. I believe
they are to fbe mustered out to-mor-
row." - !,
Every trace of color left the BRIDES
face. She rose rom her chair, her wrap
falling unheedsato the floor.
Twill they marSh by here, Marion?"
she asked, turning to the speaker.
Il believe not" answered the girl.
II think they come only as far as the
Battery and then they go west and
north again."
Miss Carolan stood silent in the CEN
ter of the room. She was breathing fast
and apparently forgetful of everything
around her. The music grew more dis
tinct and the drum beat louder. Up
above in the tower the clock slowly
struck seven and then the three quar-
tiers. The maid of honor came toward
her smiling and raised her bunch of
roses high in the air.
"Come, girls" she cried, "and touch
your roses over her head in token of
eternal love and friendship to the
bride" They had put the last touches
to their toilettes and the seven pink
robed figures made circle around her
and raised their great bouquets until
they hung together in roseate mass
over her head. The girls smiled affec-
tionately into her eyes and she smiled
back again at them, vainly striving to
subdue some strong emotion.
AS they stood there, a glowing, beau
tiful picture, they were startled by the
sound of heavy footsteps and the clank
OF sword near the side entrance. In
q moment the door was pushed open