Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1904-10-01
Ghe Desertion Of
Daffodil Maid
BY RUTH SANTELLE
Copyright, 1904, by 7. c. Met lure
By RUTH SANTELLE

Harrington was more lncllneu 10 peg
enlightenment than to furnish 1t. Had
1t 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 fancie1 1t all
hide0us dream.
But here were Bob at his elbow,
looking as self conscious rs only bride
groom can, and the rector in cere-
monial vestments huttering his service
book leaves. Realcst OF the real.
Confound 1t all. After thirty years
of sanity how had he been drawn into
this worst of tranSgrcssions: But
when a fellow is the best friend you
have in the world and is so beasuy
happy and so dend 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, ana he who
had carried himself unScathed through
the campaigns Of one season after an
other was the victimized best man Mt
last. Harrington felt suddenly as Ill
at ease in his dress clothes as college
boy ut his first prom
Even now the organ was pealing Its
preliminary riot of music. moment
more and the march would summon
them forth to the altar rail to await
the rest of the party. They had re-
hcarscd the "busineas' last night with
half Il 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 niSlcS would
come the lines of ushcrs and brides
maids. the toddling ring bearers. the
maid of honor in yellow. with hat of
paleSt green and an armful Of dnffo-
dis (Madeleine had conflded to him
all the sickening dctnilSI, then the
stately bride on her fathers arm. II
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 miserleS, second out OF
town friend of Madeleine'S, II pale crea-
ture who would match her daffodilS,
bearing the impossible name OF Claris-
sn. If Madeleine hadn't betrayed hor
overinterest in the pairing off and elab-
grated so upon his official duties to
Miss Daffodil it
Heavens, Bob. There's our cue!
Take brace, old man. I'll stand by
you" Then internally. "Yes. with the
heart in me like n tistful of liQueiied
airr'
Custom and good breeding save many
a day. Everything moved delightfully."-,
and the breath holding moment of the
ceremony arrived. That was as far AZ
Harrington ever got in his memory Of
the occasion. AS they faced the altar
his eyes were arrested by vision. 1t
was seated before the organ in bow
er of palms, and the soft lights fell on
n glorious crown of shining auburn
hair. The side of the face was toward
him, and there was a faint impression
of Il filmy green gown.
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 unprotfered arm for the
receSsional.
Once outside Harrington came again
into his self sutficiency. AS the sec
ond carriage came up the yellow con-
fection was hustled into it, the door
slammed upon the astonishcd girl. Il
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"
Yes, know. Some mistake. Every
DOuy eXclted, OF course. Say, Dlckle,
can go in here just as well. Don't wOr-
ry, old man. l don't mind in the
least"
".All serene! Here, Ethel you can
shelter this carringeless Joe" And
Dickic flew Off to see that such care
lessuess as the best mans being
stranded" was not repeated.
Ethel" mused Harrington as the
rubber wheels started, leaning forward
and dcvouring her with his eyes, Eth
el it suits 40 admirably | might al
most have known. Madeleine only told
me Miss Harman."
The red-brown eyes met his square
ly. Joe" she said meditatively. Yes.
| like II. She only told me Mr.. Har-
rinGtOn."
"YOu came
"Only this afternoon"
why have you never come before!"
Il didn't know there was anything to
come for"
AS she spoke they flashed under an
are 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.
"Oh, girl, girl" he whispered ex-
ultingly, Il knew the moment / saw
x-n,, that vnu haH pnma for my SAX o.