The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1905-02-18
81 Bound by a Spell
CHATTER VIII.

Judith was quite right; although her
words filled me with fear. they could
not destroy, or even weaken. the tasci-
nation she exercised over me. Our mar
rage day was liked. How distinctly
remember every aspect and event OF that
day. The ceremony was OF course, TO
be celebrated at Little Bethlehem by
the brides father. All the principal
members OF the congregation were t. be
OF the party. and the Rev. Obadiah Por-
ter provided the entertainment with no
niggarlly hand.
When | entered the parlOr | found il
full az people or these two solemn
looking Young men. whom | had often
seen at chapel. represented the grooms-
meu. and two remarkably sour-lOokina
girls daughters Of Mrs. HUMPHREYS, the
bridesmaids.
Two or three dark-loakiug cabs were
at the gate and when all was ready We
sailed forth Martha was standing in
the hall, holding the house door In her
hand / had never exchanged word
with her since that night when she way
laid ne upon the landing; indeed. had
rever seen her, except when she waited
at meal times. How sorrowfully she
looked NJ rrse that morning. As | passed
out into the garden with Miss Ham
phries upon my arm. she threw an old
shoe after me. The young lacy was
aStounded. ana I heard her master pause
for moment 10 rebuSe her for such
''heathenish" act, as be was pleased %
style IT,
Although in the height OF summer, 1t
was most miserable morning From
edge TO edge Of the horizon, the sky was
one OF uniform leaden hue; there was a
hue. soaking rain. that blurred and blot
ted to the eye every more distant OBJ
teCt; the saturated trees kept mp con
slant drip. drip; the calyx OF every flow
er was a miniature lake; and on the
point Of every leaf and blade OF grass
quivered gIobules OF water. Large pools
lay in the graveled path, and the earth
was sOddened.
The little chapel was chill and gloomy
as a vault. and the damp atmosphere
chung upon every object. dimming the
windows, and half-yeiling the cold, gray
light that struggled through them.
Not a pleasant day for a marriage,
remarked Miss HUMPHREYS, solemnly. il
was the first remark she had addressed
10 me.
More fitting for funeral" answer
ed drearily.
She looked at me rather strangely. and
Il certainly must have sounded a some
What strange remark in the mouth OF q
bridegroom.
The ceremony, according to the tenets
Of these people. commenced. and as
took her hand, l looked at Judith for the
FIRST time that morning. She seemed
unconscious Of my glance. Her face was
dtathly pale. and very rigid, like ons
who had nerved herself 10 a terrible anc
repuisiye task. as indeed she had. The
touch Of my hand awoke her from bel
rsverie She shuddered; but I thought
there was less OF hardness and scUrI
10 her manner. as well l might. foi
her tears were falling fast
Mr.. Porter also was not quite him
self; he seemed agitated and nervous. II
nv morbid fancy his prayers SOUNDED
Ike a service for the dead. At last
It was all over The whole party "a
gathered near the door preparatory &
leaving Judith and her father bad Zon
into a little room that stood near tn
entrance, where she had lett her wrap
Plugs | was the last MOodily I va
FLOWING the rest. when my eyes tap
peued to fall upon a small ghttarin
object. Il vas a golden Iocks-. In pIek
Ing il NJ nv finger pressed the sDrln
ana opsued If. What a thrill ran th-,,rfz
me. Il contained the portrait OF a On
OF about a II vas the face Of III
chid had met in the Norman ga-syrHv
Who haa dropped It. or how had
come haFes Putting i- into my poo pf.
resolved 10 eaFesalGr note any rar.a
Who should appear 10 OF speak OF hrrIn
The cabs conveyed rig home again. nm
the dinner was whiting Towards e-si
Tug the company dispersed. hus nc 10
son spoke u lass, and The mr.--r
OF the laczet remained an iu,rrufrh
mystery Womb NOT make nu- "a
uutr5as FOR ff.a owner az r.l --slt Boo