The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1904-09-15

tnev DUu not yet eAuuusteu tHe mum
event, and the person they now attack
ed was Miss Tuttle. why doesn't she
come and see that that bouquet Is
taken in? declare it's not decent
Mr.. jeffrey would not feel compli-
mented If he knew the fate of those
magnificent lilies and roses. pre-
sumo lie furnished the bouquet
"Miss Tuttle has looked out OF her
room once heard the other reply.
She IL in splendid beauty today, but
pale. But she never could control We
ronica.' Hush! You speak louder than
you think This amused me, and do
believe that in another moment
should have laughed outright If an
other boy had not appeared in the hall
before us, who. showing aside the. first,
raprcd OH the door with Il spirit which
called for answer. But he was no more
successful than the other boy had been.
SO. being brisk fellow. with no time
for nonsense. hc called out: Your bou.
Quet. miss. and message which am
to give you before you 20 downstairs!
The gentleman Is quite particular about
it" These words We're literally shout
ed at the door. but in the hubbub of
voices about us don't believe any one
heard them but ourselves and the
bride. know that she heard them.
for she opened the door very little
way-such u very little way that the
boy had to put his lips TO the crack
when he spoke and then turn and place
his ear where his lips had been in or
der to catch her reply. This. for some
reason. seemed long time i'm coming,
and the fellow grew so impatient that
he amused himself by snatching the
bouquet from the other boy and thrust
ing it in through the crack, to the very
great detriment of its roses and lilies.
When she took 1t he bawied for his
answer. and when he got il he stared
and muttered doubtfully to himself as
he worked his way out again through
the crowd, which 10y this time was be-
ginning to choke up all the halls and
srairways.
But why have told you all this
nonscnseT' she asked quite suddenly.
1T isn't Of the least consequence that
Veronica Moore kept a boy waiting at
her door TlI.,c SIC dressed herself for
her wedding, but it shows that she was
queer even then, and for one believe
in the theory Of suicide, and in that
alone. and in the excuse she gave for
1t, too: for IL she had really loved Fran.
els jeffrey she would not have been
so slow TO take In the magnificent bou.
quet lie had provided for her."
But comment even from those who
had known these people well was not
what | wanted ut this moment. but
facts; so. without much attention to
these words, / said:
you will excuse me IL suggest that
you are going on too fast. The door
of the brides room has just been shut
upon the boy who brought her mes
sage. When was It opened again."
"Not for good half hour; noe .ril
every one had grown nervous and Miss
Tuttle and one or two of her most init
mate friends had gone more than once
to her door: not, in fact, till the hour
for the ceremony had come and gone
and Mr.. Jeffrey had crossed the hall
twice under the impression that she
was ready for him. Then, when
WEAKNESS was general and people were
asking what kept the bride and how
much longer they were TO be kept
waiting, her door suddenly opened and
] caught Il glimpse OF. her face and
heard her ask ut last fO$ her maid. Oh.
| repeat that Veronica Moore was not
all right that day, and though l have
heard no one comment ON the fact II
has been mystery TO Inc ever since
why she gave that sudden rccoil when
Francis Jeffrey took her hand after
the benedictiOn. 1t was not timidity,
nor was il fear, for she did not know
till minute afterward what had hap
pened in the house. Did some sudden
realization of what she had done In
marrying man whom she herself de-
clared she did not love come when 1t
was too late! What do you think?'
Miss Freeman had forgotten herself;
but the impetuosity which had led her
into asking my opinion made her for
get in another moment that she had
done so. And when in my turn pro-
pounded Il question and inquired
whether she ever again saw the boy
who beslcgcd the brides door with
message, she graciously replied
'The boy; let me see. Yes, | saw
him twice-once i'm back hall talking