The Cook County herald., 1904-01-23

my darling moment alone before !
claim her as my own forever"
! It was picture on which a lovers
eyes might we'll dwell with rapture
that Miss St. John surveyed in her
mirror, as she stood in the midst OF
the blooming girls who were to act
as her bridesmaids.
The long satin train swept far be-
/ hind her on the velvet carpet; over
the dusky tresses fell the veil, thrown
back for the moment from her clear,
Olive-tinted skin of the oval cheeks,
and held in place by a diamond star
The ruby lips were parted in a
bright smile as she listened to the gay
repartee of her companions, Avice
first among them; but the smile grew
and softened; lending to her face new
beauty, as some one whispered in her
ear that Mr.. Meredith was waiting,
and begged to see her for one little
minute alone.
Would he ever forget that look, that
smile, as, in obedience to his request,
waiting for her?
In that moment he loved her as he
had never loved her before Standing
before him in her bridal robes, her
eyes lustrous with happiness, she
seemed to his love-eyes too fair a
thing to be no myth, but living flesh
and blood reality.
Already the guests had assembled
below. The rustic of silks and satins,
the murmur of many voices, the CLEAN
Of jewels, the perfume of flowers, min
gled with general air of expectancy
as the clock upon the mantel chimed
the hour appointed for the ceremony.
But for little time all these were
forgotten. The world was lost to both.
as he bowed his young, handsome
head, and drank in the full sweetness
from the red, upturned lips.
For weeks presentments had haunt
ed him. What had it to do with such
a moment as this? He could have
laughed aloud as he held his bride to
his heart, and challenged the world to
snatch her from him.
But one moment only she could
spare him now-one moment she daz-
Zled him with her loveliness, then left
him to meet III the room below.
But even as the bridal party left
the room a slight stir at the door an
nounced the arrival of another guest.
The crowd of lackeys at the door
turned to look at her as she swept
past them. Had the queen, they
thought. been hidden to the feast.
Every eye which fell upon her rest
ed transtixed. She wore a robe of
purple velvet, and the exquisitely pro-
portioned figure seemed nodded to it's
lines
The dazzling whiteness of her neck
and arms We'd with the flashing jew
els glittering upon them. The violet
eyes swept the assemblage with a
strange look of mingled scorn and
amusement in their depths: the small
head was proudly erect; the red lips
wreathed themselves in a smile; men
made way for her to pass
Her beauty was transcenGent. Be-
side her perfect womanhood all lesser
lights paled. She seemed born to
wear coronet. The bridal party had
ranged themselves before the bishop,
who was to perform the sacred rite.
His solemn, earnest tones broke the
silence, as the young couple, rising
from their knees, stood before him.
IF any man can show just cause
why they may. not be lawfully joined
together. let him now speak or else
hereafter hold his peace"
How empty! how meaningless! how
mere a matter of form seemed the
words! Yet, as he listened, again the
heavy shadow of that dull premonition
closed over Travis Meredith's soul.
The bishop paused but moment.
Already he had lowered his eyes to his
book to- proceed with the service,
when from the farthest end of the
room came a slight rustic. The glori-
Gus noon sunlight fell full upon the un-
moved serenity of the exquisite face
and form OF that latest guest, as. glid-
ing slowly from among the awe-strick-
en- group surrounding her, in a voice
like silver bells in it's clear, musical
utterance, she said, raising one beau
tiful arm above her head as she
spoke:
Il forbid this marriage!" =
CHAPTER XIV