Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1904-07-21

loomed the lie in all its hideousnesS.
Mr.. Moore's jokes in regard to the ap-
preaching nuptials, and his information
chat Harry Summers had bought out
his unclns grocery business and would
settle down near them fell upon un-
needing ears. She reused at last to the
consciousness that he was helping her
out of the wagon, and, after a hasty
goodnight, with burning cheeks and a
heart like lead Mrs. Peabody entered
her home.
AS the weeks passed by it was sur
prising to see how well Fanny bore up
under Martha's engagement. In spite
of the extra work of the spring term
she was blooming, and fairly cheerful.
She never mentioned Harry, nor did
he come to the house; but as the days
heightened she would often go Off
alone for a ramble in the pine woods
for an hour or two after school, com
ing back laden with violets, ferns and
specimens of wild flowers, which she
said were for her class IN botany.
School closed on the 10th of June
and the 1lth was the day set for Mag
tha's wedding. Mrs Peabody had not
intended to go, but Fanny insisted up
on it,. 1T will look so queer if neither
OF Us go, ma" she urged, "and as
school only closed yesterday | don't
feel like it. One of the boys can drive
you over, and you must wear my mus
lin with the lavender stripes. 1t fits
You all right, and you'll look fine III
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 vividly be-
fore her mind; and forgetting to lay
aside her wrap, she hurried nervously
into the parlor The folding doors be-
tween the parlor and sitting room were
thrown wide open, and both rooms
were profusely decorated with June
roses and branches of the fragrant sy-
ringa number OF the guests had
already arrived, and a cheerful buzz
of conversation greeted her ears as she
sank timidly upon the sofa beside the
minister's wife.
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 mantilla and
narved herself TO bear the worst. The
clock licked on loudly, but no one
spoke. Al last a sudden ring at the
door startled them Steps came heavily
down the hall, and the door was
opened.
IT'S boy with note!" exclaimed
young girl who sat near the door.
The guests could endure the sus-
pense no longer. but began to converse
excitedly in loud whispers. Suddenly
a swish of silken skirts was heard on
the stairs, and a tall, white-veiled fig
ure entered the room. All of the wom-
en- trembled, and one screamed. Mar
tha Moore threw back her veil 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 defantly.
"Wiu you please to walk out and
have some refreshments?" said she.
There amt going to be any wedding
this afternoon, but | 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, deceitful woman! How
dare you to come here this afternoon?
You've known this all along."
Mrs Peabody trembled, and clung to
the friendly hand of the minister's
wife. Her breath came in quick,
frightened gasps. The minister stepped
forward and laid his hand on Martha's
arm.
Miss Martha" he said, kindly but
firmly you forget yourself"
She shook him off impatiently The
tears were now streaming down her
cheeks, but she did not heed them
Here Fanny Peabodys 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 | hadn't right
And then TO send me a note and tell
me they are leaving for Boston on the
2:45 train! I'll show 'em | don't care!"
Her voice rose to scream.
"Oh, Marthy! Marthy! Don't go on
sol" sobbed her mother, pushing her
way through the crowd to her daugh-
ter's side-but Martha needed her not.
And then for that deceitful old
woman to dare to come here this after
noon!" she cried, almost pathetically,
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 lie! 1t want