The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-06-01
Our Daily $bort Story

it." So the poor mother allowed her
 self to be persuaded and donned the
 dainty muslin, but a cold east wind having arisen. she threw her old black
 silk mantilla over her shoulders for the drive.
 As Mrs. Peabody entered the house
 her last visit there came wildly be-
 fore her mind; and. forgetting to lay
 aside her. wrap. she hurried nervously into the parior. The folding doors be- tween the parlor and sitting room were thrown wide open, and both rooms were profuseiy decorated with June roses and branches of the fra grant syringa. A number of the guests
 had already, Arrived. and cheerful buzz of conversation greeted her was
 as she sank timidly upon the sofa be- side the minister's wife. All of the
 women were in their best with their
 hats or: and Fanny had dressed her mothers hair carefully. fastening a cluster of sweet English violets on the left side, but had been obliged to tie
 on her winter bonnet as the shape of the summer one seemed likely to | crush them. Tt won't make any dif- ference. ma." she had said. flor you'll l take 1t off as soon as you get in and | no one will notice it." In her nervous | forgotten all about it, and so sat si- lent and shabby in her old black man. ti1ia, and unreasonable headgear I among the fresh, pretty toilets around her. Fortunately her nearest neighbop was the minister's wife. who spoke kindly to her and tried to draw her l into conversation. Before long the min
 ister himself arrived. and a hush fell over the assembly as he walked slow | 1xy In ssA AA Co. | him between the folding doors. The clock struck four and all eyes were turned expectantly toward the hall door--but there was no sign of the bridal party. Mrs. Peabody could hardly keep the tears back as she | thought of Fanny: but she clinched her hands under the old mantilia and nerved herself to bear the worst. The clock ticked on loudly, but no one spoke. At last sudden ring at the door startled them. Steps came heav- 1 fly down the hall. and the door was opened.
 'Tt's a boy with a noteT exclaimed l a young girl who sat near the door. The guests could endure the sus- pense no longer, but began to con- verse excited1y in loud whispers. Sud- denly a swish of silken skirts was heard on the stairs, and a tall. white yelled figure entered the room. All of the women trembfed. and one scream ed. Martha Moore threw back her veil l and looked proudly around the room. Her large, plain face was almost as white as her bridal gown. but she held her head up and eyed her guests de- hantly.
 twill you please to walk ouI and have some rcfreshmentsr said she
 There ain't going to be any wedding
 this afternoon, but I guess you'll find
 the cake just as good"
 As she turned to lead the way to the dining room her eye fell upon Mrs. Peabody. Instantly her whole manner changed. Her tall figure grew rigid,
 her eyes dilated. and stretching out one hand toward her she screamed, "oh, you wicked, deceitfu1 woman! How dare you to come here this af-
 ternoon? You've known this all alongT
 Mrs. Peabody trembied, and clung to the friendly hand of the minister's S wife. Her breath came in quick. frigh- tened gasps. The minister stepped for
 ward and laid his hand on Martha's arm.s %g<M
 Mss Martha" he said, kindly but firmly. you forset yourse&p
 She shook him off tmpatiently. The tears were now streaming down her cheeks. but she did not heed them. Here Fanny Peabody's been a plotting all along to run off with my young
 man the day of my wedding. just to
 shame me because tried to get him away from her-just as if I hadn't a
 right! And then to send me a note ! and tell me they are leaving for Bos-
 ton on the s:45 train! I'll show 'em | don't carer Her voice rose to a scream.
 , "Oh, Marthy! Marthy! Don't go on
 so!' sobbed her mother, pushing her
 way through the crowd to her daugh-
 ter's side-but Martha needed her not. l And then for that deceitfuI old
 woman to dare to come here this af-
 ternoon" she cried, almost pathetic
 ally, when she's been in the plot all
 along, and had the cheek to tell me | Fanny was keeping company" | Mrs. Peabody started forward from | her seat, ''Oh, it want a lie! It want | a lie!' she cried. T told 'enn, when come out here most three months ago,
 that Fanny was keeping company. be-
 cause I was so jealous that Martha'd d
 got Harry away from her. But I didn't
 know t was true. I thought 1t was a
 lie. and 1t seemed as if 1t would most
 kill mel" her face was radiant through
 her tears.
 Martha turned coldly from her; and,
 controlling herself by a great effort
 again invited her guests to come out
 and partake of the wedding cake She
 led the way, and the guests followed
 her one by one until Mrs. Peabody and
 the minister were left alone.
 T think you and I are not needed
 here tonight, Mrs. Peabody" said he,
 kindly. you had better let me drive
 you home" And taking her hand he
 led her from the room. and helped her
 still trembling. but happy and relIev-
 ed into the carriaRa