The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-02-19

hushed: not a merry voice nor merrier
laugh was to be heard on staircase or
along corridor: none of the excitement
and movement and Hitting to and fro
which are generally attendant on the
last moments before the bride leaves
her home for the altar. disturbed the still
ness here. all was silent and quiet as the
grave, save for the dull, monotonous pat
ering OF the falling rain against the WIN
dows and on the stone terrace beneath.
Herr Won Rudlger knew that this mar
riaee was a mere contract OF conven-
ience: that no love, not even freinshlp,
had caused It's consummation, and he
was too much man or the world 10
be astonished at the peculiar and cold
reception the bridegroom and he had re-
ceived: but the silence and stiffness OF
the ruined old place, the emptiness Ga
all furniture Of the hall and room IN
which he sat. the non-appearance OF
any other guests, all seemed 10 him too
much OF a good thing" and he involun-
tarily drew in his breath and telt
shiver creep over him as at last the cur
tain was drawn back and the huge door
az the end OF the room was slowly
| opened Followed by Ulrike, and lean
| ing on the arm of her brother' the prioe
| entered
She was dressed In a simple white mus
| I'm y-ob. with veil thrown over her
| head. which hung TO the bottom OF hst
dress behind. and covered her face 10 the
bosom IN front IL was closed TO the
throat. and not a sign OF ornament or
! anv leind was 10 be seen but simple
sprIg OF myrtle fastened here and there
| in the skirt and at the waistband, ana
a wreath OF the same on her heac NOT
a glimpse OF the rich fabric, the costly
silver brocade. was visible, and no village
maiden could have appeared oeHore her
husband In a simpler or more mooeS'
attire.
she came forward with her eyes down
| east and noticed neither the cold, formal
greeting with which Baron Manau met
her nor the satirical yet compassionate
expression which crept into his race nut
abe started and trembled as her motner
uttered an exclamation:
'~Nhat's the meaning OF thisI HOW
dare YOU come dressed so7 Are you
mad?" were the first words the angry
mother had to say 20 her child as she
caught sight OF her on entering the room,
and she 90 far forgot the presence OF hef
guests as to raise her hand 20 push her
daughter out OF the room. 20 oacA
10 YOUR room at once. and dress your
s.,, nron.rly." she stammered out; but
Raron Mainau took the raised hand, ano
without any words made her understand
that she had better let the matter rest
Old Lena had slipped behind the cur
tain to see the tall. handsome gentleman
J take her darling, beautiful htue eouh'.ss o.
in his arms and kiss her. But tns
"stick'' the 'heartless wretch, olo
, /, nothing of the kind. With few kinaiy
ycords he took the hand OF the brioe
touohed II for a second with bis lips ane
! then presented her with bouquet
cts very beautiful. but we nave
eovrers ourselves" grumbled old Lena
- na,.aIf as she cast her eyes over th'
y auantity of flowers she had scattered
along the corridor. and went back 10 mel
few minutes later and the simple
: white muslin was gracefully moVHs
{ over monthly roses ana oright-coiol 9 =
0 geraniums, followed by u1e ~ -.
: whose heavy velvet train swept OLD Lena
4 work OF love and affection into one slrls'
| mass. - s,r
i, Tha diefnured story apostles VINO sur
roupdad the altar and chancel OF huols
dorf Church had often looked ooWn "
a male ioyless bride. had now an" -
heard the terrible yes uttered oy oest' o,'a
"a L.. ,n nassionless, Indifferent voice
= e. :, bad never been the habit IN Vl'
2 family To consult the daughters OF VIZ
| houses as to the disposal OK tnelr owi
hands. or to allow any "senuInen'aI
: 20 Guide them IN the choice OF . nus
. h.nd. hut never before had they slcili.
: | witnessed such cold. heartess 0 49, .ai,
as that Of today. NOT once ulu la v,
a1,,,a,a. -,a, care TO look at the bTiae o.
o w. SIDE as ne led her TO her place al vi
q L.. only when the binding woros pe'
heon said. as the girl knelt lor lnoNvl 80
,s,ar he had risen. he glanced ms eSe
y half wonderingly at the long ,resse ss, =,
!, her beautiful golden hair "hlen ,a
slipped from of her shouioeI' ston
- heavy and shining at mrs iee
, noor of the chancel. .sa5
:. rhun after the ceremony was enueo
n what a hurry ne seemed IN 10 sc. 80
y lrs.. nastor had had so much TO sag
v "a tha NEXT train would be due Nei
= soon. .,o onlv rnusi
heard in the church, had suous ss nSs,etng q
u ,h1 eun was peeping forth ana sHls =
j. ~ .snusands OF drops on branch an az
y S,'sh ~ making them all glitter ike Oh"
monds. ,., standing. bu
,rn tvo sisters and brother ala hot 49,, 49,
a morsel They stood aside by Ine,n an
wbjsnering their last wishes =
.sa,,s,t.. ana n seemed 70 Magnus, az n
hsld his dear Famulus by the manu- .ns
., uras only now, at the moment OF Pa,
{ ,ng that ne fully realized the loss s'
l. would be TO him 49,. roaay,
4 "Juliane. may beg you 10 se. go 49,
4. time" said Baron Malnau, Q. snis,r
+ ,,,,o,, them as they talked, and holuln
ia his % ieweled watch before the brides oS, rae
she started and looked up for secon'
as ~ hardly able TO understand ms Moiu -.
7, was the FIRST time che had heard ne
- frov, his mouth. His voice was y.
familiar TO her. and although the wor1
were friendly. yet how cold. and strans
q and unnatural her name sounded III .s,
4. Not even her severe, uncaressis i'O''''
X had ever called her Juliane. -.
.e silently she slightly inclined her hes
n then quitting her brothers hand, she 'e
.s the room. accompanied by Ulrike.
The two hurried along the corIlu9I' al a.
said nothing till they reached their o"
apartment ,-,,,..
"IAane. he is a horror" cried Clrike.
she slammed the door behind them AT
throwing herself on the sofa. the usuai
self-contained elder sister burst into
: torrent OF tears
81 "oh. hush hush. darlingl Don't bre'