Troy weekly news. (Troy, Idaho) 1897-1933, 1905-03-17
s. Bound by a Spell !
CuAPTER VIII.

words filed me with fear. they could
not destroy, or even weaken. the fasci-
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
be celebrated OF Little Bethlehem by
the brides father. All the principal
members OF the congregation were to be
OF the party. and the Rev. Obadiah Por-
ter provided the entertainment with no
niggardly hand
When | entered the parlor | found II
full OF people or these two solemn
looking young men. whom | had often
seen at chapel. represented the grooms-
men. and two remarkably sour-lookins
girls. daughters OF Mrs. Humphries. 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 ball, holding the house door in her
hand. had never exchanged word
with her since that night when she way
laid me upon the landing; indeed, had
never seen her. except when she waited
at meal times. How sorrowfully she
looked at me that morningl AS | passed
phries 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
''heathenish" act, as he was pleased to
style II.
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
fine, soaking rain. that blurred and blot
ted to the eye every more distant OBJ
ject; the saturated trees kept up con
slant drip, drip the calyx Of every flow
err was 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
az a vault, and the damp atmosphere
chung upon every object. dimming the
windows, and half-veiling the cold, gray
light that struggled through them.
mot a pleasant day for a marriage"
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
It certainly must have sounded a some
what strange remark in the mouth of a
bridegroom.
The ceremony, according to the tenets
of these people. commenced; and as l
took her hand, | looked at Judith for the
first time that morning. She seemed
unconscious of my glance. Her face was
deathy pale, and very rigid. like one
who had nerved herself to a terrible and
repulsve task ms indeed she had. The
touch OF my hand awoke her FROM her
reverie. She shuddered: 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; he seemed agitated and nervous. To
my morbid fancy his prayers sounded
like a service for the dead. At last,
It was all over. The whole party was
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
plugs. | was the last. Moodily | was
following the rest. when my eyes lap
pened to fall upon small glitterng
object. IL was golden locket. In pick
lug II up my finger pressed the spring
aud opened it. What thrill ran through
me. II contained the portrait OF a girl
OF about IA. II was the face OF the
child had met in,the Norman gateway
Who had dropped it. or how had it
come hercF Putting It into my pocket,
resolved to carefully note any person
who should appear to or speak OF having
Inc cabs conveyed us home again. and