Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1902-07-30
before long to kick over the traces ana
small blame to her If she did.

~~
small blame to her If she did.
Everybody wondered at the setting
out of q wedding feast and calling in
wedding guests. A simple marriage,
with only legal witnesses, seemed to
fit the cases complications better. A
few understood, but wisely held their
peace. The wedding was Mrs. Will
sons triumph. She would not forego
showing to her world that in this her
hardest battle she had prevailed. But
even this wise few were something
amazed at one thing-she had invited
among the rest Jack Harrison, the
lawyer lover whom two months ear
lier she had forbidden the place.
He would not come, of course, but
by 3 o'clock everybody else was on
hand, minister and bridegroom includ-
ed. Aunt Sarah was for setting for
ward the wedding ceremony. There
was not the least use in waiting an
hour, with everything ready. That
brought on very pretty quarrel with
Garcia. you'll come to the judgment
bar an hour ahead Of time," she said
to Aunt Sarah, "but you won't be able
to hurry ST. Peter, and for once mean
to act the saint"
Storming did no good Garcia was
recklessly gay. She had grown very
white, but her hands did not tremble
as she put on her veil and set knot
of loose leafed white roses at the
throat of her white frock. She did ev.
erything for herself, yet, oddly enough,
made no objection to the presence Of
half a dozen young women, each OF
whom thrilled with unconscious envy
Of the bride. She even laughed out
right when one of them peeped into
the hall and said hushedly over her
shoulder, "Oh, my, Johnson has got on
a full dress suit and does look so hand
sOmew
"It's bad luck, laughln' In your we'd
din frock. Don't you know that?" an
other demanded. Garcia laughed
again, a laugh both hooking and mer-
ry.
All things earthly end, even an hour
of waiting upon an ungrateful brides
caprice. When the clock marked five
minutes past 4, Garcia stood exactly
in the middle of the big square parlor,
feeling herself the target of all eyes
She looked taller, more slender, more
wraithlike than ever. Though her hand
lay on the bridegroom's, 1t was in suf-
ferance only. She did not even steady
herself by the mass Of his wholesome
bulk. He was very red, his vacuous
moon face beaded, his big hands bulg
ing over the tops of his new white
gloves. Garcia had not spoken to him.
She had met him just outside the par
lor door. He had a sense of sinking
or wanting to run away, If the truth
must be told, to cry as he had cried in
the times of boyish fights. Invariably
he lost the fights and somehow felt
that he was likewise to lose this.
The minister was speaking. His
words fell meaningless upon poor
Johnsons ears. Garcia was tensely
alert She held her head high and
kept her eyes fast upon the door. AS
the minister began to say, "If any can
show cause why these two may not
be lawfully joined together, let him
speak now or forever hereafter hold
his peace" she drew hard breath.
81 objectw Jack Harrison cried, dart
ing through the door. "The lady is al
ready my wife," he added, thrusting
folded paper into the minister's hand.
Aunt Sarah struck it down, crying con-
temptuously: You Jie! Until today
Garcia has not been outside her room
since ordered you off the place"
Jack turned to face her with Garcia
in his arms, limp enough now and
trembling all over. IL came back
once" he said, while you were away
at church. | brought license and a
minister. Remember there is light.
ming rod beside the end window of Ca
rola's prison. l climbed 1t, held her
hand-the good man on the ground did
the rest. might have come next day
and legally demanded my wife. 1t
was her within to wait-and spoil your
triumph"
Johnson had been listening like "a
man in a dream. Slowly his face
frightened. With wildly joyous
whoop he gathered Jack and Garcia in
his arms, Rugged them breathless and
as he released them cried: Jack, you
always were good fellow. Suppose
you help me to get married anyway.
I'll give you $500 cash if you'll per-
suade Peggy McMann to have me, right
here and now"
"I'll take that job for nothing" Ca
rola said, running to the blushing Peg
gy. How she managed it nobody quite
understood, but three hours later, just
MS soon as a messenger had brought
new license from the county town,
there was wedding with no objection
not even from Aunt Sarah-and the
brides name was Peggy.
Display of Wealth Unwise.
"There is nothing more unwise," said
the friend. ethan q needless and osten
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