The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1904-04-02

he is These accidental Resemblance
are very strange. l have never seen
the man. Poor fellow! How sad that
he should have come here to-day. Gin
ezra! hope she has not seen. We will
Let me so to her.
When Alan entered the room where
the bride sat in her white robes she
arose and bowed, graciously extending
her hand.
"You are welcome, she said in
voice whose low music was sadoer than
sobs. 81 await my bridegroom. When
he comes he will give you welcome to
our wedding feast"
Sweetheart! DO you not know me?"
She drew back in offended dignity.
'It is not fitting thata stranger should
call me by that name. You jest, sir.
II you have come 10 do honor to our
nuptials you should not speak light
words"
She sank back into her chair, lifting
her gaze upward and waiting with a
smile of happy expectation on her lips.
All the answer she gave to his en-
treaties was a gentle: Il await my
brideSroom's coming"
The days and the weeks and the
months went by and drifted into years
and still the maiden waited >for the
lover whom her dazed mind could not
recognize, though he watched over her
with tender care until hope was
gone and he knew that his presence
could never bring anything OF pleasure
to her heart. Then he went away.
The years passed on and the maiden
waited in radiant expectation and time
dimmeG not the springtide bloom Of
her loneliness. She was ever the fair
and loving child-womau, waiting for
her bridal.
{"
Lieut.. Alan Warrington had re-
turned from the Philippines and was
stationed at Fort Milford. Life at an
inland fort, with its routine drills and
dress parades, may be more comforta-
bic than long hikes over tropical Isl
lands, but it leaves something to be de-
sired III The way OF variety. Lieut..
Warrington found no outlet for his
changeful tempers and rowing tenden-
cies except in long walks and rides
about the country. Homecoming
meant less to him than to most island
eXiles. He was the only child Of his
father, for whom he had been named.
In his absence his father had died and
there was no tie of kindred left to bind
him to his country.
Sometimes in his walks he passed a
knoll, sloping to the south, on which
stood a large house built of cream
colored stone, contrasting wildly with
the green of the line of trees beyond
and the pale turquoise of the sky.
In passing he had seen beautiful
girl at the gate, always with an Older
woman at her side, who seemed to be
less companion than an attendant.
He had noted the girls waving amber
hair and the brown of her great eyes
and the fairness of her delicately pinl,
cheeks.
One morning he was riding along the
road thinking of the beautiful maiden
and wondering who she was and why
she looked out upon the world with
such wandering, restless eyes. AS he
drew near the great house he saw hel
come alone down the garden path
glancing back now and then as if il
fear that some one would steal upo1
her solitude. When she reached thu
, gate she stood for moment, looking
longingly out Then she raised thu
latch with swift movement and RAJ
out into the road She lifted her arm!
high above her head and laughed il
a clear musical tone.
AS Alan watched her poised grace
fully, swinging her arms like slende
wind-swept boughs, he heard the sud
den harsh jangle of bells. Down thu
road came two automobiles racing a
| their utmost speed. She did not seen
to hear the warning, though the fore
most machine had almost leaped upol
her.
Alan dashed forward, seized her b.
the arm and drew her from the tract,
the automobile touching her swayin
garments as it flew by. She uttere
! a sharp cry and passed her hand owe
| her eyes as if to push aside a veil.
| look of terror came into her face an
then gave way to an expression o
dawning consciousness, as Of one VIII
wakes from a long sleep. She locke
up and saw in the face of his son th
Alan Warrington of her youth.
81 am so glad you have come, Alar
new you would, but the waitin
seemed an eternity. The train wa
late, they told me-
yes" he said, with a puzzled es
preston.
Then there came the memory of tn
old story he had heard long ago OF tn
girl who had waited for his fathe
through the years which had brougl
death to the faithful lover, but ha
left the maiden still the fair, lovin
bride, unconscious of and untouche
by the passage of years. The love {
the bridegroom of years agone leape
suddenly into the heart of his son an
he seemed always to have" known tt
deep eyes into which he looked and
have had no life till she came with
love for which his heart had waite
J through the years.
The moment of awakening had con
and she met Alan Warrington as
had stood before her in the days thu
were to her as the present. The tin
between was as naught. 1t had left T
mark on face or heart. She was sti
I the bride who had waited through q
eventful day for her first Alan Wa