River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-07-21

she was blooming, and fairly cheerful.
She never mentioned Harry, nor did
he come to the house; but as the days
heightened she would often go off
alone for rambIe 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. cit will look so queer if 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 cold east WIND
having arisen, she threw her old black
silk mantiIla 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 parIor. The folding doors be-
tween the parlor and sitting room were
thrown wide open, and both rooms
were profusely decorated with June
roses and branches of the fragrant sy-
ringa. A number of the guests had
already arrived, and a cheerful buzz
of conversation greeted her ears as she
sank timidly upon the sofa beside the
minister's wife. All of the women were
in their best with their hats off; and
Fanny had dressed her mothers hair
carefully, fastening a cluster of sweet
English violets on the left side, but
had been obliged to tie on her winter
bonnet as the shape of the summer one
seemed likely to crush them. at won't
make any difference, ma" she had
said, Ffor you'll take it off as soon as
you get in and no one will notice 1t.
In her nervous haste, however, poor
Mrs. Peabody had forgotten all about
it, and so sat silent and shabby in her old
black mantilla, and unse asonable head
gear among the fresh, pretty toilets
around her Fortunately her nearest
neighbor was the minister's wife, who
spoke kindly to her and tried to draw
her into conversation. Before long
the minister himself arrived, and
hush fell over the assembly as he
walked slowly in and took the seat
prepared for him between the folding
doors.
The clock struck four and all eyes
were turned expec;antly toward the
hall door-but there was no sign Of
the bridal party. Mrs. Peabody could
hardly keep the tears back as she
thought 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 one
spoke. At last sudden ring at the
door startled them. Steps came heavily
down the hall, and the door was
opened.
Its boy with motel" exclaimed a
young girl who sat near the door.
The guests could endure the sus-
pense no longer, but began to converse
excitedly in loud whispers. Suddenly
a swish of silken skirts was heard on
the stairs, and a tall, white-veiled f1g-
ure entered the room. All OF the Wom-
en- trembled, and one screamed. Mar
tina Moore threw back her veil and
looked proudly around the room. Her
large, plain face was almost as white
as her bridal gown, but she held her
head up and eyed her guests defiantly.
"Will you please to walk out and
have some refreshments? said she.
There amt going to be any wedding
this afternoon, but I guess you'll find
the cake just as good"
AS she turned to lead the way to the
dining room her eye fell upon Mrs.
Peabody. Instantly her whole manner
changed. Her tall figure grew rigid,
her eyes dilated, and stretching out one
hand toward her she screamed, "Oh.
you wicked, deceitful woman! How
dare you to come here this afternoon?
You've known this all along!"
Mrs. Peabody trembled, and chung to
the friendly hand of the minister's
wife Her breath came in quick,
frightened gasps The minister stepped
forward and laid his hand on Martha's
arm.
Miss MARTHA he said, kindly but
firmly, you forget yourself!"
She shook him off impatiently. The
tears were now streaming down her
cheeks, but she did not heed them
Here Fanny Peabody's been plotting
all along to run off with my young man
the day of my wedding, just to shame
me because l tried to get him away
from her-just as if l hadn't a right!
And then to send me note and tell
me they are leaving for Boston on the
3:45 train! I'll show 'em I don't care!"
Her voice rose to scream
ooh, Marthy! Marthyi Don't go on
SOL" sobbed her mother, pushing her
way through the crowd to her daugh-
ters side-but Martha needed her not.
And then for that deceitful old
woman to dare to come here this after
noon!" she cried, almost pathetically,
when she's been in the plot all along,
and had the cheek to tell me Fanny
was keeping company"
Mrs. Peabody started forward from
her seat, "Oh, it want lie! 1t want
a lie!" she cried. 81 told 'em, when |
come out here most three months ago,
that Fanny was keeping company, be-
cause l was so jealous that Marthad
got Harry away from her. But didn't
know t was true. I thought it was a