Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-03-04
CUApTER VI

On the, to her, fatal Thursday Irene
walked through the fields. listening to
the music that came from the soft throats
of a hundred birds; so soon she should see
those green fields again, so soon she
should retrace her steps, and return the
happiest and most envied of women.
There, in the far distance, were the
Oulton Hills. whore Santon Darcy had
first seen his beautiful wife, coming to
him, as it were, from the golden cloud
land. She walked quickly lest her lover
should he waiting for her There were
no words when they did meet; he clasp
ed her hands in his and kissed her beau-
tiful lips; still holding her hand, they
walked together to Branlea.
1t was all a novelty 10 Irene, the lux
urious travelling, the irst-:lass carriage,
which, by dint Of a golden key, Sir HUI
bert kept for themselves. the care. the
respect. the attention shown them, her
delight when they first saw the streets of
London, her surprise nj tho magnifisence
of the hotel where he placed her. and
left her. Before he went. he drew her
70 the window, and they stood for some
minutes watching the crowded street
Irene" he said suddenly, you do not
know much about the laws 81 marriage.
should imagine"
NO, not very much" she replied.
You think, without doubt he eontin-
ued, that all marriages aye solemnized
in churches
Il thought So, She said, looking up
at him, but his eyes were turned from
her, and seemed fixed on something in
the street.
THAT is q mistake he said. hurriedly.
there reed be no going TO church; every
one. YOU know. does not believe in it.
There is a marriage. quite as legal. quite
as binding, as though il were solemnized
by n bishop. One has merely to pur-
chase a special license. and 80 To the cler-
gyman; everything goes wen then. 1t
saves great deal of trouble"
"Sir Hubert She said. "must be
married without white Wedding dress.
and veilg | always thoaght that a
veil and wreath 81 Grange blossoms were
essential"
lie smiled al the simple. Eirlish ques-
ton.
Never mind the dresses until after
the wedding. he said This thar You
wear will do-a pretty lilac muslin that
always reminds me 81 Sprinlg-tide Ne
win buy dresses enough for n duchess af-
terward. VIII you be ready by to-mor-
row at ten
There was something Ike shadow
that lay oa her beautiful face. He saw it.
"WaiJlet me think. Irene After all.
yen shall no; be married in thas dress:
l VIII send You 4 dress Tonight WIZ
that please yous'
Yes" she answered, with the CAV.
bright smile he always liked 10 see. Il
did nos think i was very njce 70 be mar
riea in this cid muslin dress"
He babe her adieu. ana went at once 10
purchase wedding dress fae hsc. The
purchase did credit 70 his taste. He
bought q palc gray costume of rich silk
and pretty bonnet. with gray dropping
plumcs-a dress az ouce rich. quieJ aud
ais,iaSue. X was sent 10 her 81 the ho-
tel. with 4 aote from hirs. asking her 10
wear II on the morrow. He sent AZ the
same time a beautiful bouquet es white
and crimson flowers.
After that i was all Ike 4 dream 70
her-the long. Slccpless night. when
dreams ~ home came 70 hee the slow
waking. when the noise Of the distant
city was so strange % her.
She could not AZ first relnerabeT where
she was-ris.ae and dressing. looking AZ
herself IN her new dress with startled,
half-shy wonder, sitting down ana trying
to drink the warm. trag-aat tea prepared
TOR her.
For years afterwarsl she remembered
the fierce. wild beating Of her heart as
the carriage drove up TO TIE door. and
aAe heard the SQUAD or her levers voice