The Lehi banner. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1891-1917, 1905-12-07
Her Wedding
~ Journey
T WAS half-past four. The septem-
BY RICHARD BARKER SHELTON.

1T WAS half-past four. The Septem-
Der sun beat down on the crowds
which, thronged the fain grounds. The
final heat OF the last horse Sace had been
trotted. and the perspiring spectators.
who had been packed four deep about
the track, turned their steps towards the
center Of the grounds. where the silken
mesh of big balloon was filling out
symmetrfcally over a hickory ire
which cracked in a hsstily-dug pit
The event of the day was scheduled
Tor FIVE o'clock. and the patrons OF the
fair we're evidently of no mind to miss
any part OF It. Blue ribbon Holsteins,
hlgh-bred Jerseys. fiocks OF woolly
Southdowns and pens OF grunting York
shire hogs of enormous girth, were
alike forgotten. The tent containing the
benches OF prize vegetables was a de-
serted shrine Even the fakirs, ranged
along the high board fence; the African
dodgers. the gentlemen who ran wheels
or fortune" and the nimble-hngered
custodans OF the countless games OF
chance, experienced fiat falling on OF
business aud were left temporarily TO
their own devices: to rest their over
worked vocal chords and count up large
wads Of greenbacks.
The crowd to the last tired urchin-
swarmed about the filling Jalloon and
eagerly watched every detail OF the prep
aration. Necks we're craned and neigh
bors we're jostled In the universal anx-
ETY. to miss no bit OF IT,
From fiat. shapeless mass that lay
inert on the ground there gradually rose
a glistening dome Of shimmering silk.
enmeshed in a spider-ilke web OF ropes.
The dome grew and rounded steadily
II became a huge ball; its silken bag
was stretched smooth and taut with
much rustling and many smothered ex-
CARNATIONS from the onlookers. II
trembled and strained like thing alive.
and n last n aosted upwards and pulled
and tugged at It's moorings while the
wicker car was adjusted beneath II.
Meanwhile. In a >stuffy little room
back OF the manager S Office. near the en-
trance gate, a heavy-built young man
stalked nervously up and down. mopped
his red face. and now and again pulled
out an ancient silver watch and anxious
Iy marked the approach OF Ave. His.
white tie, his patent leather shoes. his
long. black cutaway coat with the white
chrysanthemum in the buttonhole and.
his tan gloves of an obvious newness,.
all proclaimed the approach OF an epoch
Ia his life.
Near the one little window In the room
sat a plump, pleasant-faced young wom-
an. In one hand she held an ample bo-'
auet OF white pinks; the other hand
restlessly smoothed the folds OF her
white muslin gown. Now and then, as
she glanced up and caught the young
mans eye she gave him quick smile
of perfect confidence.
The young man paused before her
and took one of her white gloved hands
In his own.
you don't feel scalrt, do you. Nellie7''
he asked. in grave concern.
mot mite, !" she replied, cheerfully
lie leaned over her and looked out the
little window He saw the balloon
swaying In the breeze and the sea OF up
turned faces watching II.
81 sorter wish we warn't goin' to do n
ON your account. Nellie" he said.
Look a-here, JIM" she said, gayly
you needn't feel uneasy on my account
I'd rather marry youhangin' head dowr
from a trapeze than to so on the way
wa workin there at the Jones. W.
couldn't get married for years II THU
chance hadn't come along. an call !
ayin' in the face Of Providence TO tall
about not wantin TO go now, every
things all fixed"
There's an awful crowd out there.
said he,
"Poohl who's afraid of crowd?
she smiled. 81 amt"
He looked at her with admiration
plainly stamped on his face. His bi
hand pressed hers tenderly.
well. 'twon't take long" he said, a
II bolstering up waning courage. TT
all be over In jlffy."
she picked a thread of his coat an
absentIy wound It about her finger.
81 should sorter like TO gone up I
Cousin sereny's after twas all over.
she said. a little wistfully. she beir
ABOUT the Oni1 DNAh iNAe'ASh $50
liked TO gone up there ana told her a
about II"
"P'raps we can so, Nellie, 81 he begaI
but she cut him short
mo, we cant Jim. II would cost
lot for two of US 10 so up there, an We
need all the 5000 we git out Of this
start in with in the spring. Besides,
don't know just where Ills that Cousi
sereny lives. All know is that II
somewheres In Ridgeway county. We
wait 'tll after we've got started in o
the farm, But twould have made
beautiful weddin' trip, wouldn't II, JIM
she ended, a tri1e regretfully.
81 wish we could so, for your sake
he said.
"Oh. faint no great matter, anyway
She declared, easily. 1--WE ought TO
thankful we've got this chance TO 8
married and git start