Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1901-12-20
ing. Then, when | have a good start

|
time. THAT will be nice" She said.
'but it would he muck nicer TO be
| married in our own church and live
here where We have so many friends.
A moment later she added nervously,
as she caught sight of an approaching
| figure i'm the distance. YOU must leave
me now, Tom; some one is coming.
and if we're seen together and father
hears of it
81 know" interrupted Tom. he'll
| forbid your speaking to me. Well. III
go. Good-by, my darling, I'll watch for
a chance for word with YOU after
prayer meeting tonight"
"All right, but do be careful" urged
Lucila. "And. Tom" she continued,
earnestly, please go to the meeting
this afternoons; no good will ever
come of Sinking your duty"
IL will. You're an angel. Lucilla, and
far too good for me-" With these
words Tom started off in another di-
rection.
Lucilla walked home in a reverie.
! She was wondering why, when all she
and Tom wanted was 10 marry and
he happy. they must both be made
miserable because of a petty quarrel.
The trouble had come about in this
way. \ good deal of rivalry had al
ways existed between the two heads
OF the Lawton family because, being
twins. neither brother. and conse-
| quently, neither brothers wife, could
! boast supremacy. The household Of
James Lawton, Lucilla's father.
claimed prestige by reason Of greater
wealth. that of Joseph Lawton. Toms
adopted father, on account OF social
| position.
The James Lawtons. though emf
nently res spectacle, and we'll thought of
by everybody, were not "in society"
! They had, in fact. always professed
! themselves as not desiring 10 be, but
when Mrs. Joseph Lawton announced
the engagement Of her daughter Ger
trude TO one of the brightest social
! lights Of the town. Mrs. James Lawton
al once decided in her secret heart
! that the wedding would he an auSp-
| rious occasion for Lucilla 10 make her
| debut in Riverdale society
The wedding day approached and
! large number Of invitations were
! sent out from the handSom house on
| the hill. but none came addressed 20
"Mr. James Lawton and family"
That gentlemans wife held her head
! high. and TO the other members of the
! family. who had all been hidden TO the
nuptials, she declared herself indif-
ferent 10 the slight. They. not liking
TO become involved in matter so del
cate, said as little As possible about
it TO her, and nothing at all in the
other house.
When the wedding day came, Ger
trude. who was in her room being
dressed in the white gown and the
filmy white veil woman wears but
once in her life, sent downstairs for
her girl cousins
: They flocked into the room. fresh.
rosy-cheeked bevy, all eager for
glimpse of the bride. where is Luz
cilla?" asked Gertrude, after they had
kissed her. For a moment there was
an awkward pause. and then by de-
greeS the whole thing came out.
Mrs. Joseph Lawton paused in her
task Of giving the last touches 10 the
brides hair before rejoining her
guests, and with uplifted brush de-
clared that James Lawton'S invitation
had gone with the others. II addres Sed
il myself" cried Gertrude. And Tom
mailed it," added her mother.
Lucilla went over all these details
in her mind "a she walked slowly home
along the pleasant street. For herself
She had been quite willing TO accept
the word of her aunt and cousins that
the invitation had been sent. but her
father and mother took another view
of the matter, and after the eXplana-
ton which Mrs. Joseph Lawton called
10 give on the day after the wedding.
was followed by stony silence on the
part Of her hostess. the rivalry be-
tween the two households became an
open breach.
This was why when Tom told Luz
/ ella that he loved her. the young
couple were obliged 10 keep their en-
gagement secret.
That evening after the prayer meet
ing Lucilla and her mother started To
walk home under the stars. They had
I gone but a few steps when Mrs. Law
! ton recol,ected an important some
thing she had forgotten TO say TO the
minister's wife and went back into the
church.
'Lucilla," said a voice at the girls
side, and Tom stepped ont from the
shadow.
They had but moment together,
but the briefest moments are boons
TO lovers.
did you go TO the meeting?" asked
Lucilla.
YES" answered Tom, land it's
=. lucky did. But for my vote the thing
would have been tie and the chances
are We should have had no new town
hall. As il is, we are TO put up fine
one. They will begin 20 tear the old
building down on Monday, so as TO be
ready 20 break ground as soon s the
spring opens. When shall 7 see you
again, dear? 1t is hateful TO me 10 have
10 skulk about 20 meet you s though
our love were something 10 be ashamed