The National tribune., 1903-07-09
for the nonce. Be risgsd out in al that the
regulations prescribed, brass letters and

for the nonce. Be yiggsd out in al that the
regulations prescribed, brass letters and
figures an inch long included.
Therefore. the company tailor was set
to work upon a couple of dress coats
drawn from the Quartermaster. and tho
accompanying light-blue pantaloons. The
garments We're altered to tt 81 and Shorty,
patent leather chevrons were obtained
from the Sutler of one Of the Eastern
regiments, and dark blue satin ribbon an
inch wide for the Sergeant's stripes on the
pantaloons. Two fine officers hats Of the
regulation pattern were brought and trim
med with the prescribed insignia. On the
front in brass letters and figures one inch
high were ''20Oth Ind" brass bugle and
company letter, and the right side was
caught up with a triumphant American
eagle in brass, sitting on a nest OF ar
rows, lightning flashes, etc, and finished
out with black feather.
1.-THE Sergeants will look as IL they had
burglarized a blooming brass foundry"
commented the boys as they surveyed the
effect upon the hats. "but it is the same
these Eastern regiments are wearing, and
when the regulations say so it is all right"
When the paraphernalia was brought to
81 and Shorty, they surveyed the glitter
ing outfit with dsmay, but the magic word
regulations" reconciled them to it, and
they silently donned the stunning re2alia.
az al anu SuOKty Tue tupTO-
vised altar with its draping of fine new
flags, where they were met by the Chap
lain. the band turned softly into Ever Of
Thee" and Maria. leaning on the arm of
the Deacon, who looked very red in the
face, much flurried and decidedly out of
place, came slowly down the red-carpeted
aisle. followed by Annabel and Mrs. Klegg
and the others. The tall, fair girl was q
perfect picture of sweet womanliness as
nQSSaI hn lima, 80 hrt.n-
coated boys, fecks of sunshine sitting
down on her softly-curling hair through
the restless, windshaken leaves. and q
murmur of admiration went up that final
ly broke into n cheer. Even through the I
shimmering tulle vail which fell over her
face and was caught to her curls by a
cluster of the orange blossoms which
Harry Joslyn had all but risked his life
to secure for her, the mantling blush Of
sweet girlhood could be seen, as sha
dropped her head little at the spontana-
Gus tribute, then she Strengthened up her
1.-THE form, and stately as ever passed on
to the altar.
Annabers face was a picture of happi-
ness. She said to herself that she had
never seen a prettier bride, if she did say
IT as shouldn't, seeing as she had made
the bridal dress with her own unaided
hands. 1t was the regulation nine yards
around the bottom, with the gored front,
which she had achieved after much tribu-
latlon. The basque was made low-necked
the upper part filled in with tuile gather
ed to the throat, where it was held by a
spray of orange blossoms The smooth.
rounded arms were fully displayed by the
wide tulle sleeves, and around the bottom
was the priceless old lace, headed by folds
OF tulle and caught up with orange bios
SONS. The soft. fine linen of the priced
Christian Commission sheets had lent it
self admirably to the creation. and the lit
tie buttons from one of Wills never-worn
uniform vests decorated the front of the
basque, while two gold cords with acorn
drops, which had ornamented the dress
hats Of two Captains in the regiment,
formed shoulder knots and caught up the
tulle sleeves. The long, soft folds rallied
over the crimson blankets in splendid con-
trast, and the beautiful ensemble was COM
pleted by the bridal bouquet which was of
the wild orange blossoms fringed with
bluebells.
"Yoh suttn1y has got to hab sumfn
blue declared Elephant, who had consti-
tuted herself a committee of one to see
that al the wedding superstitions were
complied with "We'uns amt got nutt'n'
to glib but desc hear" drawing from be-
hind her portly form bunch of splendid
river bottom bluebells, "an' we'd like
mighty well fur yoh to fix 'em in yoh
dress som'ers"
"Just the thing" shouted Annabel elee-
FULLY. III make up your bouquet with
them, and then You will have:
something cd. and something new,
Something borrowed, and something blue"
and the blacks went away happy. They
were now lowering around on the outside
enjoying the pageant as much as any
body.
As Maria reached the altar. she handed
her bouquet to Annabel, and all took their
positions about the robed Chaplain.
The Adjutant commanded Parade
Rest and the Chaplain. after pronounc-
ing the Invocation, read the betrothal lines
for the occasion.
Then, amid the breathless silence of ey-
cry one present, who listened eagerly for
each word. the Chaplain began the beau
tlful service which made the twain one
hesh. Shorty answered promptly and dis
tlnctly. as if reporting to Col McGillicud-
dy, while Maria could not help letting it
be known that she felt and meant every
thing she said. by the earnest clearness of
her answers. 81 produced the gorgeous
diamond ring at the proper time. and its
radiance seemed to fill the groomed arches
of the trees with flashing light as Shorty
slipped it on Maria's finger
AS the Chaplain pronounced the fate
full words which made them husband and
wife. Sandy gave soft whistle to Pete.
perched on an upper limb, who waved n
flag as signal to the fort This respond
ed with the roar of its big guns, fired in
quick succession.
THAT is the regular salute ordered to
celebrate Lees surrender the Adjutant
explained to the Deacon, "but l had the
General hold it up until it would serve a
double purpose. Shorty can boast that his
wedding: had as much gun-musc as IL
Kings"
Then came the congratulations Poor
Shorty was almost in a state of collapse
in a very short time
Maria" he whispered. as they at last
got away from the handshaking. and
walked arm-in-arm back to the ambulance,
Il begin to believe at last it's actually
So"
''Yes, dear" she answered. "it's for
ever and eternally so now. The Chaplain
said till death do you part
(To be continued)