The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1905-04-05
Consolation
By KEITH GORDON
Copyright, 1904 by X. NJ. Whitehead

NOSOUONOOONOE
Through the stained glass above the
palms and roses the midday sun
streamed in, f1ecking the scene with
gorgeous reds, blues and greens. 1t
shed a golden glory upon the tall, slen-
der, graceful bride, and at the sight
the best man shut his jaw a bit more
determinedly. She was looking more
than ever like an angel, and in FIVE
minutes she would be the wife of his
best friend. That was the monOtOnous
sentence which kept repeating itself in
his mind. As if he were likely to Tor
get!
Opposite him and just behind the
bride the maid of honor stood. For
the moment she, too. had forgotten the
guests, forgotten everything save the
fact that the one man in the world
whom she might have loved-for she
always phrased it thus carefully to
herself-was at that moment vOwing
She had a curious feeling that when
Yhe was an old, old woman, when a
yellow, withered face and dim, sad
eyes looked back at her from her mir
ror, she should still be able to live over
again the despair of this moment. when
the white ROBBED clergyman was taking
him from her life, a thousand times
more irrevocably than death could have
done.
There was stir about her like the
rush of the wind. For a second she
was too lost in thought to understand:
then, as she dropped upon her knees
somewhat hurriedly. her bewildered
ewes caught those of the best man, cas-
ually at first and then with quick.
startled recognition of something she
saw there. He, too, had the air of
person suddenly awakened from a
nightmare, momentarily uncertain of
the surroundings in which he found
himself.
A moment later she had forgotten
his very existence.
Hes Ethers husband now-Ethefs
husband" she said sternly to herself,
skillfullr turning q dry sob into long,
broken breath and composite her face
to the radiant expression becoming the
brides best friend.
Meanwhile the best man admonished
himself in a similar strain. STEADY
now, old mani Now's the time to get
out your happy smile" Then, as the
rigid muscles of his face gave no indi-
cation of relaxing, his thoughts ran on
Grossly: Don't be an ass! It's the
worst ever, so you might as we'll cheer
upr'
BY the time the great organ pealed
out the triumphant strains of the we'd
ding march he and the maid of honor,
their masks on. faced the guests that
filed the church, ready to play their
parts for all they were worth. Some
thing in the music was at once an in
SEPARATION and challenge.
isn't she sweet" whispered one Of
the guests to a companion, referring to
the maid of honor. But how pale she
is, and what a curious look there is in
her eyes-sort of nothing can ever mat
ter again expression-and yeti
The speaker stopped, staring thought
fully at the girl until she had passed.
More than once during the course of
the wedding breakfast that followed
the best man found himself watching
her curiously. No one was gayer than
she-none so gay, in fact. Her eyes
were brilliant, and her laugh rang out
valiantly, but his own misery made
him subtly conscious of some under
current Of feeling that was running
strong and pitiless under the surface
bubbles-an undertow of misery that
she was resisting with all her strength.
He remembered that when, during
the ceremony, their eyes had met in
that confused, unveiled glance she had
been staring at the groom as intently
as he had at the bride. Could it be
He did not formulate the thought, but
he watched her more keenly than ever
after that-so keenly, indeed, that once,
unable to bear it any longer, with an
appearance of Inconsistencies she tax
ed him with it.
you are very ruder' she said lightly,
but at his grave, sincere Believe me,
have not meant to be-" and the search
Ing look that accompanied it, express
I've of a sympathy he could not put
into words, her lips quivered ever so
weddings get upon my
she explained, with a little
grimace, and before he could reply she
had turned away.
The shower of rice and old shoes had
spent itself, and the bride and groom
had departed, taking all the romance
Of the world with them and leaving be-
hind a monotony without form and
void. All of the guests felt it, and al
ready the hustle of departure was in
the air. But to the best man and the
maid of honor it was a CHASTITY, appall-
Ing fact that made them linger on the
steps after the others had re-entered
the house, staring blankly after the
carriage that had disappeared around
the corner. Then the man remembered
where he was and pulled himself to-
gether with an effort.
Seems rather like the end Of things,
doesn't it?' he observed as they turned
INTO the doorway.
From our standpoint, yes" was the
listless answer. Then she caught her
Up between her teeth and darted a
quick, inquiring glance at him. That
was not precisely wnar sne would nave
chosen to say. and she hoped that he
would not notice it. But at the sight of
The somber smile in his eyes the hope
passed.
In a snug corner Of the deserted IL
orary, where the farewells of the de-
parting guests came to them but faint |
y, she next found herself, without be-
ng very clear as to how she came
here. The best man was sitting in |
ront Of her holding one of her hands |
q protecting, big brotherly fashion, |
While she yainly tried to keep back the |
ears that seemed to be rising as quiet |
Y and relentlessly as a flood. 1t was !
u Il L.