The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-03

thing" repeated the society reporter, with
conviction.
Later on a second society reporter ap-
peared. Like her predecessor, she was
charmed with 'Melia. Wont she be proud
tomorrow when she reads just how she
came down the stairs all alone and all about
her lovely blue gown" she said playfully.
'Melia accepted the admiration as her due,
but corrected her on the sartorial question.
Its blue and white" she said emphat-
ically.
By the time that the fourth society editor
put in her appearance aunt Jennie was
weary of fame. AS she waited YEARLY for
the usual list of questions 'Melia, who
lowered at her knees, spoke with authority:
I'm the flower girl. and it's blue and white
I'm going to wear" she announced.
Dear little t~hing-isn't she cute" muir
INJURED the society reporter. she's the
flower girl, you say, and she comes down
quite alone just before the bride. What a
dear, brave little girl, not to be afraid with
everybody looking at her"
There was a curious goneness at 'Melia's
heart for an instant, but she scoffed. MY,
I'm not 'fraid," though even as she spoke
she knew in her own sick soul that gone
ness meant that for the first time she was
beginning to be afraid.
BY the time that 'Melia was arrayed in
the blue and white frock and the last bow
patted into place, the guests had began to
arrive, and when they brought her down
from the third story and took her into the
room where cousin Carol stood white and
cleaning and soft in satin and tuIle. there
was q sea of people which might be
glimpsed from the upper hall. 'Melia felt
her heart turn to water. When to be a
flower girl meant merely that one walked
down the stairs before cousin Carol, there
was no fear within her; but now that she
knew it meant that one walked down the
stairs the observed of all observers, she
found it a task beyond her powers.
Everybody in the room was clustered
round cousin Carol, and nobody paid much
attention to the little white faced 'Melia,
who shrunk into the folds of the lace cur
tain. Then, an age it seemed to 'MeIia's
sick heart. somebody raped at the door
and cousin Jennie put in her head and said
excitedly, It's time-shall L give the
orchestra the Signal?"
Wait a minute till We get in line" said
mother.
The pretty bridesmaids stationed them
selves in order. where's my little flower
girl" said cousin Carol" in a quick voice
'Melia backed further into the lace cur
tains. Her basket of white flowers had
dropped unheeded to the floor. Even her
polkadot ribbons dropped. Il can't be a
flower girl" she said, family.
Mella, said mother, coaxingly, 'comt
now in front of cousin Carol
Il can't" said 'Melia-'I'm-Tm scared
"Dearie, what are you afraid OFF, sail
one of the pretty bridesmaids, wheedlingly
Were going down frst-you needn't be
Il am afraid-I can't-everybody IL lool
at mean I'm so scared"
'Melia," said mother, sharply. Come
here at once. Nobody will think of looking
Mother had never spoken to 'Melia tina
way before, but Melia did not move. COusir
Carol went down in all her satin and tull,
and took the blue and white poIkadotteC
flower girl in her arms. 'Auntie can't b,
married without her flower girl" she saiC
before me-"
The blue and white one did not yield. &c
cant-oh, l can't she said.
There was another tap at the door anC
then cOusin-tO-De Harry looked in.
Carol, what's the matter" he said. Will
an anxiety which was tempered with re
sentiment as he saw everybody ready an
waiting. I've been waiting down by tn,
dining rom door till I got scared TO death.
L don't want to have my wedding with
out my dear little flower girl" said cousin
Carol. pleadingly, looking up from her mas
or tulle and satin, land she won't move
she's scared
COboAA-NO-bt IldAil COInt INTO tie room
We'll. is this the little girl that told tn
papers all about the wedding this morning,
he asked, slowly. That little girl WASH
a bit scared. And what do you suppos
that everybody is going to say tomorrow
when they read in the papers that 'Meli
Browne came down the stairs all alone an,
was her cousin Carols flower girl-and the,
know that 1t wasn't so, because 'Meli
Browne backed out?"
Melia looked up. Solemnity was in he
little face. Il did tell en- she said, an,
her voice was little and awed. Eyes. | di
tell 'em all-and it will be in-yes it will.
1T will, every word of il" said cOusin-to
be Harry, watching the little face closely.
An If it's in a paper il has to be true
don't it?' said 'Melia wistfully.
Every word said cousin-tO-be Harry
solemnly.
'Melia reached down for her neglected has
ket. Cousin-tO-be Harry disappeared fror
the room and the bridesmaids. with sigh
of relief, patted the white satin and the tuIl
veil into SmOothneSS. Then as the strain
of the wedding march burst out. the dc
layed procession took its way slowly dow
the stairs. And just before the bride cam
a blue and white flower girl with polka
dotted ribbons who balanced on each stat
TO keep in rhythm with the movement of tn
march, not as one balances who knows tina
the eyes of the multitude are on her, bU
as one balances who knows that she carrie
on her shoulders the responsibility OF VERT
in the press.