The National tribune., 1903-07-09

ing came, Shorty was too weak to rise
from his cot. He lay in doing stupor
that frightened them all. and poor Maria
was almost distracted. The wedding cere-
mony was to have been performed at
noon, or high 12," as the society columns
have it, but at dawn the Deacon had been
hurriedly called from bed by Si, who could
not conceal his fear that Shorty had TAX
Ell serious relapse. When the Surgeon
came. however, he declared, after a short
examination. that Shorty vas suffering
from spell of severe Indigestion. quite
evidently brought on by something he had
eaten. A little later, Maria sobbingly ad-
mitted that she had smuggled into Shorty s
sick ration huge slice of Mrs. Klegg' s
vinegar pie, and the why of Shorty's turn
for the worse was thus revealed. AS n
kind Of penance for her wilful disregard
of express orders, the poor girl was shut
out of the room for the remainder of the
day.
ITS just dreadful" she sobbed with
her head in her mothers lap. 81 asked
DR.. Brooks to let us bem-ma-rried anyhow,
right off. 1 told him that 1 didn't care
anything about the show part of it. but
he said, just as m-mean as could be, that
VIII wasn't remembering anything about
getting married to-day. and t-that he
said that h-he w-wo-uldn't be responsible
for t-the c-c-onsequences if 1 came both
ering around. Ma. / just hate him and
her too! I do that" and then Maria went
off into another tempest of sobs.
breakfast was just over. and the col
ored women were clearing away the
things. There had been no lingering over
the table that morning, for the world
seemed all awry, and nobody felt cheerful.
Annabel had gone to carry 81 his break
fast, " mich he still ate in the hospital fo'
precautions sake, and the Deacon was
busying himself with cooling lotions for
Shorty's head. Mrs. Klegg had been do
ing what she could for the poor fellow IN
til DIR. Brookes came in to tell her that
Maria had developed n pretty good fit of
Mysteries and she was needed in the din
ing room. Don't fret her." Mrs Klegg,
he admonished the good woman, who look
ed quite indignant at the suggestion that
one of her name should give way to hys-
terics.
Miss Maria has been undergoing a
pretty severe strain, lately. and she has
borne herself admirably through it ALL Not
many young women bred as she has been
could have gone through with what she
has in the last two weeks. and have ac-
Quilted themselves as nobly. Nature is
simply wOrniOut and you must humor her.
She will be her own brave self after she
has had her>cry."
ITS enough to make any woman cry
to have heriwedding day put off so I'M
tremendously, declared Annabel. "The
darkies have nearly driven Maria frantic
this morning. by bemoaning the postpone
ment, and debating that all sorts of ills
are bound to come to both Will and her.
That miserable Elephant is the worst
croaker of them. all Deed, Mis- M'ri, l
sutnly would cit mahied on de day set
er bus n gallus, deed / would she said
to Marin a little while ago, and then she
declared that il wedding is put off the
most awful ills will befall the couple.
They never will prosper. the man will beat
his wife. henwiii drink, she will be an aw-
full scold. will have poor health, the chill
dren will have the rickets. or be idiotic-
oh, my goodness, I don't know what dis
heartening things she didn't tell rhp poor
girl. I-I-well, / must confess / do not
like TO put off n wedding myself" Annabel
concluded with little laugh. 81 reckon
we all have our superstitions. and that is
one of mine"
Meantime Marin was having bad half
hour over in the dining room.
Il saw the moon over my l-left shoulder
the other night, too, ma" declared Maria
between sobs. 81 never did like to see
the moon first that way"
AN yo'uns upset de salt all over re
table yistd'y mawnin'." chimed in Lizy
Jane. Oats pintedly bad, lessen yo'uns
frow some Ober you'uns left shoulders and
says go way debbil,' toP yo'uns to bet
ter be kecrful."
AN dom you member miss, how de
cheer tumble kersmash like when yo'uns
jump to ketch dat little Pete boy de odder
ma in wi
me if l was ter upset cheer dat-away.
shore nebber would git mahicd dis here
yeah"
DE dawgs was n howlin' las night,
too" VOLUNTEERED Pompey, one of tha hosp:
tai servants. as he leaned inside the door
to set down pitcher of water he had
just brought up from the spring. 'Pears
like when de dawgs gifts ter howlin'
sump'ns gOtter happen, disappointment an
death''-
.Oh, MAJ cried Maria covering her
away. 81 can't stand their silly jabher
any longer. i can't, l can't" and she
raised a face so tear-stained and woebe-
gone that Mrs. Klegg forbore the scoldinG
she had intended to give the suffering
girl. and sent the servants off to the
kitchen.
Now. daughter" she said soothingly,
after the room was cleared of the gaping
blacks, ''yOu must stop this crying. You
are making yourself less able to care foc
Will, and beside that there is no neces-
sity for this display of weakness. VIII
is suffering from an attack of Indigestion,
and he will be all right in a few hours"
''Then, can we be married to-day" ask
ed Maria, Frightening up.
'.Nor
Mrs KIegg was n good mother, but she
was not at all sentimental. She could un-
Gerstand why a woman should not cut out
garment on Friday, of course, she de-
cared that it was not because it was an
unlucky day, but because she did not like
hands over SuBday-but she had no pa
tience With tie superstitions about post
poned weddings. Thus she ruthlessly
trampled on one Of Maria's pet aversions
But, Ma!u- began Maria, fearful
again.
She was stopped by Mrs. Klegg very
firmly but gently remarkine that if Will
was married. that day he would have to be
carried to thesaltar, as he couldn't walk.
and as for % wedding with the bridegroom
in bed, she would not hear to it, and that
ended tEatNines Of discussion
"And Tomorrow asked Maria re-
as she, mopped her face with her
bib apron.
'sTo-morrow,l If Will is able to get out
of bed, you can be married. want you
to get Will, away from this place as soon
as possible" ! And with this Maria had
to be content. By night the fever had left
Shorty, and, though very weak, he was
able to sit up for a little while and en-.
joy the scent Of the roses and honeysuclsle.