Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1903-06-11
CHAPTER TX.

two neghborhoods but little communl-
cation; and this. added to the fact that
Aunt Sally Wright was confined to her
bed, was undoubtedly the reason why
the news of the approaching nuptials
did not reach us until the week before
the time appointed for them to take place.
1t was warm, sultry day in, July that
Aunt Sally, who was now convnlescent,
sent us word that she would visit us that
afternoon. the little girl who brought the
message adding that Miss Wright said
Miss Lee needn't put herself out an atom,
MS she wasn't a bit particular what she
ett."
About one o'clock she came, laxative
and full of news as ever. | was suffer
ing from severe headache, which dur
ing the morning had kept me confined to
the bed; but knowing how much Aunt
Sally would have to tell, and feeling curl
Gus to hear 1t all, ! went down to the
sitting room, where her first exclamation
was, Now do tell, what makes you look
so down in the mouthp But law; it's no
wonder, seem you've lost the doctor slick
and clean"
A dim foresh allowing of the truth
came over me; but with n strong effort |
controlled my feelings, and in very in
different manner asked her what she
meant.
Now I'll give up" said she, 'if you
hain't heerd ont. Why, it's in every
body's mouth. They are to be married
next Thursday night at nine o'clock; and
the dress is white satin, with a veil that
comes most to the floor"
"Who is to be married?" asked Anna,
eagerly, her interest all awakened by the
mention of white satin and lace wells.
| "Why, DIR. Clayton and Dell Thomp-
son." returned Aunt Sally. They was
published last Sunday; Andy Slosson see
it himself and told me. They are goin'
first out to York State, to see them great
Falls, and then they are goin' to live In
Boston, boardin' at some O. them big tav-
erns; and Dell has got six bran'new
gowns a-purpose to wear to breakfast.
But goodness alive! look at Rosa" she
continued pointing toward ME, who,
weary and faint, had lain my head upon
the window stool.
"She's got the sick headache" said
Anna, while Lizzie, with delicate tact,
for which In my heart blessed her, came
up to me, saying, ~ don't believe you
| "'N "piN ~ oAs W. ~ ~ pSH'
Glad of any excuse to be alone, left
the room, going to my chamber, where
wept myself to sleep. When l awoke
the sun had set but heard the voices
Of the family below, and once, when
thought l caught the sound Of DR.. Clay
toms name, l involuntarily stopped my
ears to shut out the sound. A moment
after, the door Of my room was softly
nnana1 rarYi, 80 L..
tiptoe. Learning that was awake, she
advanced toward me. holding to view n
note, which she said had been left there
for me by Car.nll Thompson's hired
nan, apd was a., invitation to the we'd
ding 1t was still sufficiently light for
me to see, and leaning upon my elbow.
read on card that Mrs. Thompson
would be lat home" from eight to eleven
on the evening of the 25th, while in the
corner were the names of Or Clayton
and Dell Thompson"
There was no longer shadow of hope
it was all true. md he had insultnd
me with an invitaf'sn to witness his
marriage with another! did not know
. then, as | afterward did, that the invi-
tation was purposely sent by Dell to
annoy me. For moment | forgot Inv
headache in my anger, but ere long it
returned in all its force, and if the next
day my headache continued with unabat-
, ed severity 1t was not without a sutfl-
cient cause, for sleepless nights are sell
dom conducive to ones health. OF
course ! did not attend the wedding,
which was said to have been brilliant
J affair, the bride and the table looking
,, beautifully, while the bridegroom, II was
, rumored, was pale and nervous, making
! the responses in a scarcel! audible tone
: of voice.
! The next morning, between eight and
nine o'clock, as l was on my way 70
school, l met the travelling carriage OF
Captain Thompson, which was taking
7 the newly married couple to the depot
4 John was driving, while on the back seat
4 with his arm partly around his bride, wa,
a the doctor My first impulse was not I,
r look At them, but this act pride forbid
V and very civilly l returned the nod Of
o Dell and the polite bow of the doctor
l. whose face turned crimson when he saw
A me. A moment more, and n turn of tn
O road hid them from my view: then seat
n ing myself upon large fiat stone beneath
tree, where were the remains Of
n play house built by my own hands onl,
, the autumn before, | cried out loud
n, thinking myself the most wretched of be
\ ings, and wondering If ever any one be
/, fore had such trouble as l! AS nearly a
II am able to judge, was taking my irs
10 lesson in lovesickness! kind of diseas
+ which is seldom dangerous, but, like tn
W toothache, very disagreeable while
10 lasts AT least l found it so, and 70
h. weeks pinned away with a kind of ser
le timental melancholy, which now appear
ID to me wholly foolish and ridiculous.
or Somehow | got the impression that M
py heart was all broken to pieces; and th
tn fact satisfactorily settled, | began I
er take melancholy pleasure in broodin
Z over my early death, and thinking no,
he DR.. Clayton would feel when he hear
IS, the sad news, Almost every week | VIZ
Id weighed, feeling each time good del
* chagrined to find that | was not losin
st flesh as fast as a person in declir
of would naturally do In this state of a
err fairs, one day came across n lit
,r- sketch Of Hannah More, in which IA,
he early disappointment was described, M
er forthwith l likened myself to her, m
ne. talinU couraUa from, har avaunIa I g..