Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-03-04
IRENE'S vow
BY CHARLOTTE M. BRAEME.
BY CHARLOTTE M. BRAEME.

on the stairs. Her first thought. poor
child, was prayer.
Mother she cried, you are among
the angels, and | am all alone. am go
| ing to be married; send me a blessing
from heaven; there was no one to give
me one here"
The next moment her lover was in the
room, and everything was forgotten in
the delight of seeing him.
He was bewildered with surprise. The
poet who sung that beauty unadorned
was adorned the most made mistake
in this case. The costly, shining silk, the
rich lace, the dropping plumes made a
wonderful difference.
My darling" he cried; why, you look
Ike queen. Why do | say a queen
No queen ever looked so fair How proud
am of YOU. my darling. All the world
will envy me the possession Of that fair
est face"
Il am glad you are leased with nae, !"
she murmured.
Pleased" he said, laughingly; "that is
not the word, sweet; | am proud. | won
der a my own fortune for me life holds
nothing, the world nothing half so fair.
Pleased. why, my darling, can you not
see that your beauty drives me mad?"
The rest was like dream to her-ex-
cept that she trembled with fear, with
awe, with reverence. She remembered
how Sir Hubert, holding her hand with
loving clasp, led her to the carriage;
that, as they drove IN silence through
the sunlit streets, his arm was thrown
round her, as though he defied death even
to take her from him; that they drove for
long way until they rdeached a tall,
gloomy house in the midst of gloomy
square.
1T does not look like a clergyman's
house." she said, and then wondered why
his face grew so deadly pole.
You must not expect to see a country
vicarage, covered with flowers" he said.
Irene, throw this black cloak over your
shoulders; | do not want everyone to
know what is going on; and, my darling
you do look so much like a bride. be-
lieve you would look just the same, sweet,
fair and blooming, if you We're dressed
in black crepe"
mo, not quite the same" she said,
drawing the black cloak round her Shout
ders. Where are my flowers? Oh, Sir
Hubert, give me my flowers; there they
lie, on the seat. | could not be married
without my beautiful flowers. Other girls
have sisters and friends on their wedding
day. have none, save my flowers, and
they seem to understand
You have me, Irene" he sadi half
reproachfully. What more do you want?
You have me-"
For long years afterward she remem-
bered every detail of that scene They
entered large, square, gloomy room,
plainly furnished, yet with every evidence
that a clergyman inhabited it. She re-
membered every detail of it. Over the
mantelpiece hung an engraving of the
Good Samaritan opposite TO that hung
a wretched copy of, Leonardo da Vinci's
Last SUPPER" few good steel engrav-
ings of various subjects finished the LIST
Of works Of are. The greater part of the
walls was covered with books; there was
n reading chair, a writing table, one or
two bronze statuettees; a few large folios
lay open on the table; the dark blinds
and dark curtains gave a somber aspect
to the room.
The door opened and the minister en-
tered. She gave one keen, half-fright-
ened glance at him. He did not impress
her favorably; he was tall and thin; he
wore a long coat and a white collar, but
something was wanting in him. She
could not tell what He bowed to Sir
Hubert in a distant, cold fashion.
You appointed half-past ten," he said.
"and now it is eleven. Ny time is val.
liable; it is as well to be careful and
punctual in these matters"
Il am sorry" said Sir Hubert csr
lessly, but the drive was longer than
thought"
That may be, but it has nothing to do
with me. Have you the license? Give it
to me-
Sir Hubert gave him folded paper.
which he read attentiyely from beginning
TO end.
THAT is right" he said Now, have
you the wedding ring?"
Yes, l did not forget that" said Sir
Hubert. as he drew the little gold ring
from his pocket.
Take this lady's hand and stand be-
fore me- said the stranger, briefly.
And then he went over the beautiful
words of the most solemn service the
church knows. For richer, for poorer,
for better. for worse. in sickness or
health. until death do us part"
Irene remembered no more, it was like
a confused dream.