The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1903-07-10
MY By; -,
DIZZY 9 Baum
WEDDING
N44N~ l.. Frank Baum
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"N HE inn at Loudre was very dis
IA agreeable. The odor of garlic
and cabbage and the dampness
and dirt were unsupportable,
and so l decided to push on to Dan
vers, The only vehicle l could procure
was a rafting two seated gig drawn
by a bony white horse Of doubtful abil-
ity, but as my destination was only
three hours away and l was not liable
to meet any one ON the lonely road I
started off cheerfully enough, resolved
to enjoy my solitary drive to the ut
most.
The moonlight as it gllnted on the
soft green of the hedges and streaked
the gray of the dusty road was very
beautiful, and before half q league had
been passed over l heartily congratu-
lated myself upon my good fortune in
escaping the horrible inn at Loudre.
After an hours dreamy and delight
full ride l came TO a crossroads where
with difficulty l deciphered the bat
tered signpost and learned l must turn
to the left to reach Danvers. SO, cluck-
Ing up my deliberate stced, who pro-
ceeded in half dignified, half protest
ing fashion, I'turned into grassy lane
between two tall hedges and drove
through a lonely district until the
dreamy influence of the night over
came me and l drifted into a somno-
lent state midway between sleep and
waking.
I was aroused by the sudden halting
Of my horse. who gave a frightened
snort and planted both front feet firm
~ before him.
4 subdued sobbing. as of woman in
distress, fell upon my ears, and, lean
ing forward, l peered into the moon
light to discover whence it came.
4 high brick wall ran close to the
roadway, covered with ivy and lichens
and leaning against an angle Of this.
few steps before me. was slight, girl
ish form draped i'm dark mantle.
l sprang to the ground and softly APP
preached her. Her face was buried in
her hands, and she sobbod bitterly.
'Mademoisellc" | said. speaking in
French, you are in trouble. Can as
sist you in any wayT
She lifted her head, and the moon
light fell upon the most beautiful face
! have ever seen. Absolutely faultless
in feature. it was swmountcd by
crown of yellow hair that shone like
gold in the glare of the moonbeams
while pair Of deep violet eyes that
even tears could not dim looked ear
nestly into mine.
"Who are your asked gently, land
why are you hereE'
Il am Amelie dc BoursonS. monsieur
and l reside at the chateau just within
these gates"
The soft. musical notes OF her voice
added to the powerful impression her
exquisite beauty had already produced
upon my heart
"But it is late" l continued. Surely
some great misfortune must have be-
fallen you to bring you here at this
hour"
ut is true, monsieur" she replied,
struggling with u new paroXysm Of
But is that so terrible an event" /
asked
IF you but knew, monsieur" she
said, chow vile and brutal is the man
they are forcing me TO marry, you
would willingly save me from my hor-
rible fate"
She accompanied these words with
g,,t
then she dropped her head and sobbed
anew.
l did not stop to reason upon the
strangeness of all this. l was young,
generous hearted man in those days
and could not resist this appeal from
beauty in distress.
But tell me- l said, chow can l save
you from this distasteful marriage? Do
you wish TO fly? l have a conveyance
close by and will gladly escort you to
place of safety"
ITO fly would avail me nothing" she
answered, with sweet sadness. They
would follow us and force me to re-
turn"
But how else can l save youT"
asked helplessly.
II do not know" she replied with
sudden calmness that suggested despair,
'but unless you can find some way to
succor me l shall take my own life"
There was no doubt from the ex-
preston OF her low, earnest voice that
she meant this, and, filled with con-
sternation at the thought, l racked my
brains for some way 10 preserve both
her life and happiness.
At last an idea came to me, but
trembled at my own presumption as
suggested II.
"Mademoiselle," l said haltingly, Il
see but one alternative. You must
marry me-"
The violet eyes opened wide in sur
prise. MARRY you, MONSIEUR
''Then pursuit would be useless. Be
ing my wife, you would escape this VII
lain who insists upon wedding you.
am free and able to give you all that