Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1901-03-05

clicking lock, the c-owding. the gravel
under foot, the touch of shrubbery,
two steps at the door, and the indie
Enable air of every lady's room-the
faint, blended odor of powders, toilet
waters and pressed flowers. That it
was the room of refined woman he
was sure in advance. Had he not
been, there was the deep carpet into
which his feet sank noiselessly.
And it was plain that he had come
into garden from side street, since
no residence would have opened from
a woman's room into walk that led
directly to main street
Here, then, was a woman who lived
upon first floor with private gar
den at her disposal. He had heard
the gentle FLASHING of water outside;
there was a fountain in this garden.
On the morrow he had but to walk
the city until he found the premises,
il he would. So much for the secrecy
Of his friend Brodnarl
By this time Richard somers was
deeply interested man. Despite his
resolution to carry of the affair
lightly, he began to feel the presence
of something like tragedy. Where
was the woman who was to make use
of him blindly and go through the
form of marriage? Dimly at first,
perhaps as matter of logic, he was
conscious that she was in the room
and near him. Then without more
reason he became certain of it, The
room was not dark, for he felt light
upon his bandaged eyes. Instructive
ly he stretched out his hand.
Then there was laid within it an
other as soft as silken velvet and small
and tremulous. The touch thrilled him
from head to foot; it was the hand of
young woman-the timidity be-
longed to girlhood-and instantly a
deep sympathy moved him. 1t was
indeed an urgent cause that forced her
into this situation forced her, because
now she was softly crying, and her
emotion shook the little hand. Instant
ly his own hand closed above hers.
BE not afraid, my child" he said;
"all will be WELL" His voice, low and
sympathetic, was the first to break the
silence of that room. The girl ceased
crying and her hand lay quiet within
his own. Then the doctor spoke in q
whisper:
I'VE are ready" he said to third
person; make the ceremony as brief
as possible" The other began:
Richard Somers, do you take this
woman to be thy welded wife, to live
| together after Gods holy ordinance in
the holy state of matrimony? Wiltthou
love her, comfort her, honor and keep
her in sickness and in health, and, for
saking all others, keep thee only unto
her, SO long as We both shall live?"
There was silence, and then Richard
Somers said gravely: II take this won.
shall comfort her, honor and keep her
in sickness and in health, to the best OF
my ability, as long as l shall continue
to be her welded husband. Is that
sufficient, sir, to answer all legal re-
quirements?"
That is sufficient" said the unknown
speaker. Frances. wilt thou have this
man to be thy welded husband"
10 honor him al all times and in all
hours while life shall last?" said Som
ers. interrupting. II ask no more. no
less"
Then upon his hearing fell clear,
musical voice, fawless as the note of
dove. plaintive as the wind-harp of
the pines:
YES" it said, "to honor him at oil
times and in all hours while life shall
last. whether in the days to come we
meet again or we meet no more" He
lifted his head quickly, his hand closed
impulsively over hers, and u cry trem-
bled upon his lips
That voice." he said, deeply affected.
II have heard-but no."-his CHR
sank upon his breast; ut cannot be-"