Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1905-02-20
CHAPTER VIII.

nation she exercised over me. Our mar
riage day was fixed How distinctly
remember every aspect and event Of that
day. The ceremony was. of course. to
he celebrated at Little Bethlehem by
the brides father. All the principal
memb, rs OF the congregation were to he
Of the party. and the Rev. Obadiah for-
ter provided the entertainment with no
niggar,lly hand.
When | entered the parlor found it
full of people. OF these two solemn
lookip" young men. whom | had often
seen at chapel. represented the grooms-
men. aud two remarkably sour-lookins
girls. daughters of Mrs. HUMPHREYS, the
bridesmaids.
Two or three dark looking 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 me upon the lnndng indeed. had
never seen her. except when She waited
Mt meal times. How sorrowfully she
look ed at me that morning, As passed
out into the garden with Miss III I'M
phres upon my arm. she threw an old
shoe after me. The young lady was
astounded. and | heard her master pause
for moment to rebuke her for such a
''heathensh" act, as he was pleased to
Sly lie ii.
Although in the height Of summer, 1t
was most miserable morning. From
edge 10 edge of the horizon. the sky was
one Of uniform 'leaden hue; there was a
fine soaking rain. that blurred and blot
ted to the eye every more distant OBJ
tect; the saturated trees kept up CON
slant drip. drip: the calyx of every flow
er was Il miniature lake: and on the
point OF every leaf and blade of grass
Quivered globules OF water. Large pools
lay in the graveled path, and the earth
was soddened.
The little chapel was chill and gloomy
as vault. and the damp atmosphere
chung upon every object. dmmng the
windows. and hafveiling the cold, gray
light that struggled through them.
Not n pleasant day for a ma rriage,'
remarked Miss HUMPHREYS. solemnly: it
was the first remark she had addressed
to me.
More fitting for funeral" answer
ed drearly.
She looked at me rather strangely, and
what strange remark in the mouth Of
bridegroom.
The ceremony. according to the tenets
of these people. commenced; and as
took her hand, looked at Judith for the
first time that morning. She seemed
Unconscious of my glance. Her face was
deathly pale. and very rigid. like one
who had nerved herself to terrible and
tnS nd ha hal ba
touch Of my hand awoke her from her
reverie. She shuddcred; but | thought
there was less of hardness and scorn
In her manner as well | might, for
her tears were falling fast.
Mr.. Porter also was not quite him
self; lie seemed agitated and nervous TO
my morbid fancy his prayers sounded
like a service for the dead. At last.
1t was all over. The whole party vas
gathered near the door preparatory to
leaving. Judith and her father had gone
into a little room that stood near the
entrance. where she had left her wrap
pigs. | was the last. Noodlly | was
following the rest when my eyes hap
pened to fall upon small gitterng
object. 1t was n golden locket. In pick
In; it up my finger pressed the spring
and opened it. What Il thrill ran through
me. 1t contained the portrait of girl
OF about IT, 1t WIS the face of the
child had met in the Norman gateway,
Who had dropped it, or how had il
rome here? Putting it into my pocket, |
resolved to carefully note any person
who should appear TO or speak of having
lost anything:
The cabs conveyed us home again. md
the dinner was waiting. Towards cren-
Ing the company dispersed. but nc FER
Son spoke of a loss, and the mystery
of the locket remained an inscrrtc BILE
mystery. would not make any in
quir!es for the owner, as | hal resolved
not to part with it, | Rugged it rs n
treasure: and, somehow. amidst the mis-
cry of that day. it fell upon my heart
like a g,eam of hope
While waiting at table Martha con
trived to slip piece of paper into my
hend. My fingers instinctively grasped
II. Onr visitors had gone. Judith Ind
retired to her room to change her dress.
and Mr.. Porter was in his Storeroom. |
seized the opportunity to examine the
paper 1t was note, but written in n
scrawl almost ilegible. 1t ran thus:
This is my last day here | leave
tomorrow. Always to he heard of AT
No Rackstraw's building. Camden
Town. Take care Of yourself. God
bless You. MARTHA"
So | was deprived Of my only friend.
| was now utterly alone in the lions
den \ new feeling of fear and desc
lation fell upon my heart.
CHAPTER TX.
could endure it no longer. and SO I
fed. One month after my wedding night