Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-08-04

ry na0 deserted nef own lear dauBntel
above her belief in Martna's perfid!
doomed the lie In all its hideousnesi
Mr.. Moore's Jokes in regard to the az
preaching nuptials. and his informatio
that Harry Summers had bought on
his uncle's grocery business and woul
settle down near them, fell upon un
needing carr She reused at last to tn
consciousness that he was helping he
out Of the wagon, and, after q hast
goodnight, with burning cheeks and
heart like lead Mrs. Peabody entere'
her home.
AS the weeks passed by 1t was sur
prising to see how well Fanny bore VI
under Martha's engagement. In SPITE
of the extra work of the spring tern
she was blooming, and fairly cheerful
She never mentioned Harry, o die
he come to the house; but as the days
heightened she would often go of
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 18th was the day set for Mar
tha's wedding. Mrs. Peabody had not
intended to go, but Fanny insisted up
on it. ut will look SO queer II neither
of us go, ma" she urged, "and as
school only closed yesterday l 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 in
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 wildly 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 p~rofusely decorated with June
roses and branches of the fragrant sy-
ringa. A number of the guests had
already arrived, and a cheerful buzz
conversation greeted her ears as she
sank timidly upon the sofa beside the
minister's wife.
The clock struck four and all eyes
we're TUNED expectantly toward the
hall door-but there was no sign OF
the bridal party. Mrs. Peabody could
hardly keep the tears back as she
Of Fanny; but she clinched her
hands under the old mantilla and
nerved herself to bear the worst. The
clock licked on loudly, but no n
spoke. At last a sudden ring at the
loor startled them. Steps came heavily
the hall, and the door was
"It's a boy with a motel" exclaimed a
young girl who sat near the door.
The guests could endure the sus-
,ense no longer, but began to converse
,xcitedly In loud whispers. Suddenly
! swish of sllken skirts was heard on
he stairs, and q tall, white-veiled fig
Ire entered the room. All Of the wom-
n trembled, and one screamed. Mar
ha Moore threw back her veil and
ooked proudly around the room. Her
arge, plain face was almost as white
8 her bridal gown, but she held her
cad up and eyed her guests defiantly.
Twill you please to walk out and
ave some refreshments?" said she.
There amt going to be any wedding
MS afternoon, but l guess you'll find
be cake Just as good"
As she turned to lead the way to the
lining room her eye fell upon Mrs.
eabody. Instantly her whole manner
Her tall figure grew rigid,
er eyes dilated, and stretching out one 4
and toward her she screamed, "Oh.
ou wicked, deceitful woman! How
are you to come here this afternoon? =
ou've known this all along!" :
Mrs. Peabody trembled, and chung to
10 friendly hand of the minister's .
life. Her breath came in quick, .
ightened gasps. The minister stepped
rward and laid his hand on Martha's
m.
Miss Martha" he said, kindly but
'mly, you forget YOURSELF"
She shook him of impatiently. The
ars were now streaming down her
.eeks, but she did not heed them.
Iere Fanny Peabody's been a plotting
along to run of with my young man
e day of my wedding, just to shame
3 because l tried to get him away
om her-just as If l hadn't a right!
I'd then to send me a note and tell =
: they are leaving for Boston IN the
IS train! I'll show EN- l don't care!"
sr voice rose to a scream.
'0h, Marthy! Marthy! Don't go on
!" sobbed her mother, pushing her
y through the crowd to her daugh-
IS side-but Martha needed her not.
And then for that deceitful old :
to dare to come here this after =
on" she cried. almost pathetically,
hen she's been in the plot all along,
d had the cheek to tell me Fanny