The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1905-03-11
CHAPTER VIII.

Judith was quite. right; although ler
words filled me with fear. they could
not destroy, or even weaken, the fasci-
nation she exercised over me. Our mar
rage day was fixed. How distinctly l
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 to be
of the party. and the Rev. Obadiah For-
ter provided the entertainment with no
niggardly hand. ! Is.
When entered the parlor found it
full Of people OF 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. HUMPHREYS, the
bridesmaids. .,..ss.-. s........ ...-..-.-
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 landing; indeed, had
never seen her, except when she waited
at meal times. How sorrowfully she
looked ut ulG tlluL IuUInluSb Ao 4 puSSSu
out into the garden with Miss Hum
phries upon my arm, she threw all old
shoe after me. The young lady was
astounded, and heard her master pause
for a moment to rebuke her for such a
'heathenish" act, as he was pleased to
style it.
Although In the height of summer It
was a most miserable morning. From
edge to edge of the horizon. the sky was
one of uniform leaden hue; there was
fine soaking rain, that blurred and blot
ted to the eye every more distant OBJ
ject; .he saturated trees kept up a con-
slant drip, drip; the calyx of every flow
er was miniature lake; and on the
point Of every leaf and blade Of grass
quivcred globules of water. Large pools
lay in the graveled path, and the earth
was soddcned.
The little chapel was chill and gloomy
as a vault, and the damp atmosphere
chung upon every object. dimming the
windows, and half-veiling the cold, gray
light that struggled through them.
Not q pleasant day for a marriage"
remarked Miss HUMPHREYS, solemnly; it
was the first remark she had addressed
to me.
more fitting for a funeral" answer
ed drearly.
She looked at me rather strangely, and
1t certainly must have sounded 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
dtathly pale, and very rigid, like one
who had nerved herself to a terrible and
repulsve task, as 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 service for the dead. At last
1t was all over. The whole party was
gathered near the door preparatory to
leaving. Judith and her father had gone
into little room that stood near the
entrance, where she had LETT her wrap
pigs | was the last. Moodlly | vas
~ owing the rest, when my eyes IMP
Pened to fall upon a small glittering
ohJect. 1t was a golden locket. In pick
Ing 1t up my finger pressed the spring
and opened it. What thrill ran through
me. 1t contained the portrait of girl
or about d. 1t was the face of the
child had met in the Norman gateway!
VINO had dropped it. or how had il
come here? Putting 1t into my pocket, I
resolved to carefully note any ner.on
who should appear to or speak of having
lost anything.
The cabs conveyed us home again, and
the dinner was waiting. Towards e7en-
ing the company dispersed, but nc per-
son spoke Of a loss, and the mystery
OF the locket remained an inscrutcble
mystery. l would not make any in
qu'r!es for the owner, as 1 had resolved
not to part with it. / Rugged it ns
treasure: and, somehow. amidst the mis-
cry of that day, it fell upon nv heart
like CLEAN Of hope.
While waiting at table Martha con-
trlVcd to slip piece of paper into nv
nFIu: My fingers instinctively grasped
IT, Our visitors had gone Judith had
re'lred to her room to change her dress, |
H'io Mr. Porter was in his storeroom. l |
eel"eo the opportunity to examine the |
paper, II was note, but written in |
SetaWl almost illegible. 1t ran thus;
Inns is my last day here. l leave
So-'''orfow. Always to be heard of at |
IN NO. kackstraw's building, Camden
Town. Take care of yourself God
"4ISS you. MARTHA"
80 was deprived of my only friend. |
! was now utterly alone in the lions
Gen. a new feeling of fear and desc
latlon fell upon my heart.
CHAPTER TX,
a. could endure it no longer and SO |
T I ~ one month after my wedding night |
noa 'lG that roof forever. Upon what |
x p">sea during that month my lips are