Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-07-21

needing ears. She reused at last to the consciousness that he was helping her out ot the wagon, and after a hasty good-r night. with burning cheeks and 8 heart like lead Mrs. Peabody entered her home.
 AS the weeks passed y 1t vas sur prising to see how well Fanny boze ur under Martha's engagement In spite of the extra work of the spring t9rna she was biorming. and fairly cheerful. I She never mentioned Harry. nor d;d he come to tho huN=s; but as tue days heightened she would often go of alone for ramble in the pine woods for an hour or two after school. com ing back laden with vsolets, fsrnS and specimens oi wild flowers, which she said were for her class in botany. l
 School closed cn the 10th eS June a:,d the 11th was tho day set for Mar tha's wedding. Mrs. Peabody had not intended to so, but Fanny insisted up- on 1t. Tt will look so queer if neither Of us go, ma. she urged, ''and az school only closed yesterday don't feel like it. One Of the boys eau drive vol, over. and you must wear my nus lin with the lavender stripes I. Gts you all right. and you'i. look fine In it'' So the poor mother allowed her self to be persuaded and donnei the i dainty muslin, but cold east wind having. arisen, she threw her old black silk nantilla over her shoulders for the drive.
 As Mrs Peabody entered the bouee her last visit there came viv:dly be fore her mind; and, forgetting to la; aside her wrap. she hurried ner-ouslJ into the paTlor. 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 A number of the guests had already arrived. and cheerful buzz of conversation greeted her ears aa she sank timidly upon the sofa beside sha minister's wife.
 The clock struck four and all eyes were turned expectantly toward the hall door-but there was no sign ot the bridal party. Mrs Peabody could hardly keep the tears back as she thought of Fanny: but she clinched her hanGs under the old mantilla and nerved herself to bear the worst The clock ticked on loudly, but DO one spoke At last a sudden ring at the door startled them. Steps came heavily down the hall, and the door was ! opened
 'tIts a boy with a motel" exclaimed a 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 silkeu skirts was heard on the stairs, and 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.
 twill you please to walk out and have some refreshments?" 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 tai! figure grew rigid, 1 her eyes dilated, and stretching out one kand toward her she screamed, Oh. you wicked, deceitful woman! How 1 dare you to come here this afternoon? ! You've known this all alongl"
 Mrs Peabody trembled, and clung to ] the friendly hand of the minister's wife Her breath came in quick, { frightened gasps The minister stepped 1 forward and laid his hand on Martha's arm.
 Miss Martha" he said. kindly but firmly, you forget yourself" j She shook him off impatiently. The I tears were now streaming down hex cheeks, but she did not heed them. 'sHere Fanny Peabody's been 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 right! l And then to send me note and tell me they are leaving for Boston on the 3:45 traini I'll show 'em I don't care!" l Her voice rose to scream. "Oh, Marthy! Marthy! Don't go on i sol" sobbed her mother, pushing her
 
 i terfs side-but Martha needed heT not. And then for that dsccitfu1 old woman to dare to come here this after noon!" she cried. almost pathetically. i when she's been in the plot all along, and had 1ae cheek to tell me Fanny i was keeping company"
 Mrs Peabody started forward from l her seat, aOh, 1t want 8 lie: It wa'n'c a i:e:" she cried. II told 'en, when come out hero most three months age. that Fanny was keeping company. be-. cause was so Jealous that Martha'd i got Harry away from her. But I didn't i know t was true. l thought it was a lie, and it seemed as if it would most i kill me!'' her fare was radiant tRrcugh 1 her tears.
 i Martha turned eoldly from hsr; and, i controlling herself by 8 great effort