The Somerset reporter., 1904-09-29
Ge Desertion Of
Daffodil Maid
By RUTH SANTELLE
Copyright, 1904, By T. {. Mcclure
BY RUTH SANTELLE


Harrington was more inclined D beg
enlightenment than TO furnish IT, Had
II not been for the aggressive solem-
nifty of the yestry wallis and the en-
crossing task of getting successfully
into his white gloves, an undertaking
which habit had taught him was not
to be regarded with leYity or indif1er-
ence, he might have fancied 1t all
hideous dream.
But here were Bob at his elbow
looking as self conscious as only bride
groom can, and tho rector In cere-
monial yestments tiuttering his service
book leaves Realest of the real!
Confound 1t all. After thirty years
OF sanity how had he been drawn into
this worst of trnnsgressions7 But
when a fellow Is the best friend you
have In the world and is 80 beastly
happy and so dead In earnest over the
thing and comes at you with that
tears In his eyes voice-in short when
he's Robert Montgomery Blake, what's
10 be dono3
At any rate, II was done, and he who
had carried himself unscathed through
the campaigns OF one season after an
other was the yictimized best man at
last. Harrington felt suddenly as Ill
at eass In bis dress clothes as q college
boy at his first prom"
Even now the organ was peaiing Its
preliminary riot OF music. a moment
more and the march would summon
them forth 60 the altar rail to await
the rest OF the party. They had re-
hearsed the "businees" last night with
half dozen candles and supply music.
The bride would have her wedding
march played by no other than west
ern school friend. who was to arrive
late. Down the two aistes would
come the lines of ushers and brides
maids, the toddling ring bearers. the
maid OF honor In yellow, with hat OF
palest green and an armful OF dafro-
oils (hiadeleine had eonflded to him
all the sickening details), then the
stately bride on her fathers arm. If
one must marry. Madeleine was the
right sort, and Bob was getting about
the best there was.
This daffodu maid OF honor was an
other OF his miseries, q second out Of
town friend of Madeleine's. pale crea-
ture who would match her daffodils,
bearing the impossible name of Clars-
Ba. II Madeleine hadn't betrayed her
overinterest in the pairing off and elab-
grated SO upon his official duties to
Miss Daffodil It
Heavens, Bob! There's our cue!
your Then internally. Yes. with the
heart In me like fstful of liquefied
airT
Custom and good breeding save many
a day. Everything moved delightfully."-,
and the breath holding moment of the
ceremony arrived. That was as far as
Harrington ever got In his memory Of
the occasion. AS they faced the altar
his eyes were arrested by n vision. 1t
was seated before the organ in bow
er Of palms, and the SOFT lights fell on
glorious crown of shining auburn
hair. The side OF tho face was toward
him, and there was faint impression
OF nimy green gown.
1t was the violent beginning Of u
tempestuous end The sight went
through him Hike physical shock. He
saw only the lovely picture, beard only
the soft music that fell from the slen-
der fingers The first usher prodded
him into consciousness when the ring
was demanded. the daffodil maid had
to clutch an unproffered arm for the
recessional.
Once outside Harrington came again
into his self sufIiciency. AS the sec
ond carriage came up the yellow con
fection was hustled into 1t, the door
slammed upon the astonished girl a
peremptory drive on issued, and a
hatless young INN dashed breathlessly
around the corner to the organ en.
trance. Just in time! In another We
hicle the auburn head was being eX.
tingulshed.
why, Joe Harrington! What's
wrongr The brides brother was a
clear headed uasteF of ceremonies
You belong with Clarissa, you
know"
"Yes, | know. Some mistake. Every.
body excited, of course, Say, Dickie,
can go in here Just na well. Don't wor
ry, old man. | don't mind in the
least"
"All serene! Here. Ethel, you can
shelter this carriageless Joe" And
Dickie flew off u SEQ that such care
no
stranded" was not repeated.
Ethel" unused Harrington as the
rubber wheels started, leaning forward
and deyouring her with his eyes, Eth
el, 1t suits so admirably l might nj
most have known Madeleine only told
me Miss IIarman."
The red-brown eyes met his square
ly Joe" she said medItAtively. Yes,
l like 1t. She only told me Mr.. Hur-
rington."
You came
only this afternoon"
why have you never come beforeT
II didn't know there WAS anything to
come for"
AS she spoke they flashed under an
are lamp. and. bending eagerly toward
her, he caught the shine OF her eyes.
1t was enough. His hands CROPPED an
instant, then gathered In her two
warm, yielding onos.
"Oh, girl, girl" be whispered ex-
ultingly, II knew the moment | saw
you that you had come for my sake!
But how, how hive l lived all this
while and npvpr found Won %