Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1904-11-03
Ghe Desertion Of
Daffodil Maid
By RUTH SANTELLE
Copyright, 1904, by T. c. Mcclure

to be regarded with levity or indiffer-
ence, he might have fancied it all a
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 fluttering 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 i6 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 Ill
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 ana lle InhItl WOuiu
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 (Iadeleine had conf1ded to him
all the sickening details), then the
stately bride on her fathers arm. II
one must marry, Madeleine was the
right sort, and Rob was getting about
the best there was.
This dafrodil maid of honor was an
other of his miseries second out Of
town friend of Madeleines, pale crea-
ture who would match her daffodils,
bearing the impossible name Of Claris-
IA. If Madeleine hadn't betrayed her
everinterest 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 q fstful Of iiqueded
airl''
custom and good breeding save many
q day. Everything moved delightfully."-,
and the breath holding moment of the
ceremony arrived. That was as far as
Harrington over got in his memory OF
the occasion. As they faced the altar
his eyes were arrested by u vision. 1t
was seated before the organ in 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 faint impression
of filmy green gown,
1t was che 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. fhe first usher prodded
him into consciousness when the ring
was demanded, the daffodil maid had
to clutch an unproffered arm for the
recessioual.
Once outside Harrington came again
into his self sufIiciency, As the sec
ond carriage came up the yellow con
fectioa was hustled into it, the door
/ slammed upon the astonished girl,
peremptory "drive on issued and u
hatless young man dashed breathlessiy
around the corner to the organ en-
-, t.,
hiele the auburn head was being ex-
tinguished.
"Why, Joe Harrington What's
wrong?" The brides brother was
clear headed master of ceremonies.
you belong with Ciarissa. you
know"
Yes, know. Some mistake Every
body excited. of course, Say. Dlckie. l
can go in here just as we'll. Don't wor-
~. old man, | don't mind in the
least"
"All serene! Here, Ethel, you can
shelter this carriageless joe" And
Dickie flew off to see that such scare.
lessness as the best mans being
stranded was not repeated.
1 i4b-NOh do hhN
| rubber wheels started, leaning forward
| and devouring her with his eyes, Eth
el, it suits SO admirably | might al
most have known, Madeleine only told
me Miss Iiarman."
The red-brown eyes met his square
ly, "Joe." she said meditatively. Yes,
| | like 1t. She only told ne Mr.. Har-
| rington."
| "You came
| "Only this afternoon
"Why have you never come beforeI"
u 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.
1t was enough. His hands groped an
instant, then gathered IN her two
warm, yielding ones,
ooh. girl, girl" he whispered ex-
ultingly, 81 knew the moment | saw
| you that you had come for my sake.
But how. how have | lived all this
while and never found you|'
| "I cannot tell. dear only that now
4 " tHC ai5hL b4LlSB was tAS ~" -
| sponse.
Holding both her hands in ono OF his
own, he slipped to her side and tipped
her head back against his shoulder.
Ills eyes sought hers i'll the gloom of
the carriage, gIorying in the revela-
tions brought by the passing lights.
THE right time OF all the world.
| girl, of all the years that have been
| for you and for me-the right time for
the seal of the promise for those that
are TO come for us" he said with
quiet intensity, his lips closing on her
unresisting ones.
! After Il moment she Strengthened
herself with happy little laugh.
Il think we must be nearly there"
"Yes. Wretchedly short drive. Oh,
grille grille, | am so proud Of you, so
glad! What viii they think Of us, to
be sure? | wasn't having bit OF n
good time, and now I'm ever SO CRATE
ful that Bob insisted en- making me
best man."
why. but, DEAR 1t was veri-
| table gurgle of astonisLmcut You're
| nnt frpegrfnr af tpIItuy pgWt IT