Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1902-09-01
Continued.

strange ding-morn-nature SEEM
ed to be bright and rejoicing. All
the notabilities of the county had
been invited. There was a train OF
bridesmaids from among the fairest
and noblest girls in England. They
were in raptures with the wedding,
for Herman had spared no pains
no expense. He seemed to have
thought that the singularity of the
circumstances would be overlooked
amid a profusion of magnificent
gifts. No trademarks had ever been
presented with more costly memen-
tos. They were loud in his praises
he was so generous, so handsome.
so kind of heart A sumptuous
wedding breakfast was prepared, a
large party of guests were invited.
The children from the Leahurst
schools we're all present strewing
flowers before the bride-the bells
OF Leahurst Church pealed merrily.
There s a grand fete for the ten
antry, a feast for the children.
People had nothing but praise for
the wedding. The bride was so i'm
periously beautiful, her costume so
magnificent-the bridegroom so
handsome and so generous-the old
earl so happy-every one so highly
pleased and pleasant-they agreed
that it was long time since any
thing so delightful or so charming
had been seen. No one observed
that the pride of the beautiful bride
was unloading, that every now and
then there came over the bride
groOm's face an expression Of deep
est sorrow-no one guessed that it
was a marriage entirely without
love, "a mere business arrangement
no one knew that the generous
bridegrO m was i'll with the feve~
of love, that he would have Iaiu
down his that day for one smile
from the proud lips beside him-no
one guessed that the beautiful
young bride had nothing but con-
temptuous scorn for the man by her
side
So they stood side by side before
the alta, repeating the solemn
words that bound them together for
life; am, if ever man meant those
words, it was Herman Culross-
they cam7 from the depths of his
heart. Lady Ianthe tried not to
IN of them. The only thing that
sustained her and gave her courage
was the pleased, happy, bright ex-
preston of her fathers face.
Standing here before the altar,
Herman for the first time held he1
nand clasped in his, the little white
ungloved hand without jewels-he
held it, and it was wonderful what
a strange novel sensation the touch
gave him. Had Lady Ianthe been
able, she would have withdrawn LEI
hand from him in indignant haste.
Part Of their compact was that he
was not to touch her hand; but the
eyes of the world were upon them.
so the little hand lay quite still ana
passive in his warm clasp. He held
Il while the ring was placed upon it,
and presently he gently relinquisn-
ed II, saying to himself that it would
be long before he held it again.
But there was a look in his face be
fore which Lady Ianthe's eyes droop-
ed, and which caused her heart to
beat with strange, quick emotion.
They were man and wife. The
organ pealed forth-the bells rang
there was stir in the brilliant
assembly. Herman's heart beat rap
idly, there was a flush on his face,
but the cOuntenance of the bride
was cold and impressive. Some few
noticed that the newly married pair
did not walk hand in hand or arm
II arm down the church aisle. Her
man assisted his wife into the car
rage, and then took his seat by her
side, both bowling in response to
the lingering cheer of the people and
the children; but they exchanged
ew words during the drive. Look
ng at his young wife, he thought
Ae was unusually pale
Are you very tired, Lady Ianthe?"
he asked; and she answered Eyes"
Presently, as the carrigae neared
the grand entrance, she turned to
him hurriedly.
when we are quite alone" she
said in low voice, "you will of
course address me just as you
please; but perhaps, now that we
are married, it will be as well for
you to call be Ianthe-it will cause
less remark"
He smiled, but there was SOME
thing of bitterness in his smile.
IF you consider it no breach of
the contract I shall be happy to do
So" he replied.
Then they entered the house TO-
gether Guests visitors, friends,
crowded round them; good wishes,
kind words, hearty greetings, met
them on all sides. Lady Ianthe
listened with a charming smile on
her beautiful face, Herman with hope
and bitterness mingled in his heart;
they might all be realized, all these
good wishes, some day, when his
dream should be accomplished ana