St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1904-12-28
Ole Desertion of
Daffodil Maid
By RUTH SANTELLE
Copyright. 1904, by T. @. Mcclure

enlightenment Iudu TO Iuru1Su II. IdO
it not been for the aggressive solem-
nifty of the vestry walls 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 levity or indiffer-
ence, he might have fancied it all
hideous dream.
But here were Bob at his elbow,
looking as self conscious as only bride
groom can, and the rector in cere-
monial vestments futtering his service
book leaves. Realest Of the real!
Confound it all! After thirty years
Of sanity how had he been drawn into
this worst Of transgressions? But
when a fellow is the best friend you
have in the world and is so 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
to be done?
At any rate, it was done, and he who
had carried himself unscathed through
the campaigns of one season after an
other was the victimized best man at
last. Harrington felt suddenly as i'll
at ease in his dress clothes as college
boy at his first "prom."
Even now, the organ was pealing its
preliminary riot of music. A moment
more and the march would summon
them forth to the altar rail to await
the rest of the party. They had re-
hearsed the business last night with
half a 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 aisles 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 daffo-
dis (Madeleine had confded 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 daffodil maid of honor was an
other Of his miseries, a second out of
town friend of Medicines, pale crea-
ture who would match her daffodils,
bearing the impossible name Of Claris-
sa. If Madeleine hadn't betrayed her
oyerinterest IN the pairing off and elab-
grated so upon his official duties to
Miss Daffodil it
Heavens, Bob! There's our cue!
Take a brace, old man. I'll stand by
your Then internally, eyes, with the
heart in me like a fstful Of Hquefed
airp'
/ 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 a vision. It
was seated before the organ in a bow
er Of palms, and the soft lights fell on
a glorious crown Of shining auburn
hair. The side Of the face was toward
him, and there was a faint impression
of filmy green gown.
It was the violent beginning of a
tempestuous end. The sight went
through him like physical shock. He
saw only the lovely picture, heard 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 unprotected arm for the
occasional.
Once outside Harrington came again
into his self suficiency. AS the sec
ond carriage came up the yellow con-
lection was hustled into it, the door
slammed upon the astonished girl, a
peremptory "drive on" issued, and a
hatless young man dashed breathlessly
around the corner to the organ en-.
trance. Just in time! In another We
hicle the auburn head was being ex.
tinguished.
''Why, Joe Harrington! What's
wrong" The brides brother was a
clear headed master of ceremonies
"You belong with Clarissa, you
know"
Eyes, I know. Some mistake. Every
body. excited, Of course. Say, Dickie,
can go in here just as well. Don't wor-
~, old man. I don't mind in the
least"
Cali serene! Here, Ethel, you can
shelter this carriageless Joe." And
Dickie flew off to see that such scare
stranded" was not repeated.
ETHEL" unused Harrington as the
rubber wheels started, leaning forward
and devouring her with his eyes, eth
Ell, it suits so admirably I might al
most have known. Madeleine only told
me Miss Hartman"
The red-brown eyes met his square
~. "Joe," she said meditatively. Eyes,
I like it. She only told me MI. Har-
rington.'
"You came''-
"Only this afternoon
''Why have you never come before?'
az didn't know there was anything to
come for.''
| AS she spoke they flashed under an
arc lamp, and, bending eagerly toward
her, he caught the shine Of her eyes.
It was enough. His hands CROPPED an
instant, then gathered in her two
warm v;nIdiu0 ones