The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-02-14
Consolation
BY KEITH GORDON

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Through the stained glass above tbe
palms and roses the midday sun
streamed in, fecking the scene with
gorgeous reds. blues and green's. II
shed golden glory upon the taii, sicn.
der, graceful bride, and at the sight
the best man shut his jaw bit more
detern,inedly. She was looking more
than ever like an angel, and In Hye
minutes she would be the wife of his
best friend. That was the monotonous
sentence which kept repeating itself in
his mind. Az IL he were likely to for
gatl .......s....
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 70
herself-was at that moment vowing
TO- love and cherish her closest friend.
She had q curious feeling that when
she was an old. old woman, when q
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 robed clergyman was taking
him from her life, thousand times
more irrevocably than death could have
done.
There was a stir about her like the
rush OF the wind. For a second she
was too lost In thought to understand; |;
then, al she dropped upon her knees
somewhat hurriedly, her bewildered
eyes caught those Of the best man. cas-
ually at frst and then with q quick,
startled recognition Of something she
saw there. He, too. had the air OF a
person suddenly awakened from a
nightmare. momentarily uncertain OF
the surroundings In which he found
himself.
A moment later she had forgotten
bis very existence.
"He's Ethers husband now-Ethers
husband" she said sternly to herself.
skiilfuiiy turning dry sob into a long,
broken breath and composing 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 asst It's the
worst ever. 30 you might as well cheer
upw
BY the time the great organ peaIed
put the triumphant strains Of the wed
ding march he and the maid Of honor.
their masks on. faced the guests that
Iilled the church. ready to play their
parts for all they were worth. Some.
thing In the music was at once an In.
spiration and challenge.
Isn't she sweeti' whispered one Of |
he guests to a companion. referring to
he maid of honor. But how pale she
\, and what curious look there Is In
Ter eyes sort OF nothing can ever mat.
er again expresslon-and yet
The speaker stopped, staring thought
ully at the girl until she had passed
More than once during the course Of
he wedding breakfast that followed
he best man found himself watching
Ter curiously. No one was gayer than
he-none so gay, In fact. Her eyes
we're brilliant, and her laugh rang out
'aliantly. but his own misery made
lin subtly conscious OF some under
urrent OF feeling that was running
trong and pitlless under the surface
'ubblcs-an undertow OF misery that
he was resisting with all her strength.
lie remembered that when, during
he ceremony, their eyes had met In
hat confused, unveiled glance she had
een staring at the groom as intently
8 he had at the bride, Could It be-
Ie did not formulate the thought but
g watched her more keenly than ever
fter that-so keenly, indeed, that once,
nable to bear 1t any longer with, an
ppearance Of Inconsistencies she tax
d him with II.
You are very rudew she said lightly,
ut at his grave. sincere Believe me. ]
ave not meant to be-" and the search
Is look that accompanied II, express.
q OF sympathy he could not put
ito words, her lips quivered ever so
lightly. Weddings get upon my
erves.' she explained, with a little
rinace, and before he could reply she
nd turned away, Aaa% AF@ > W
The shower Of rice and old shoes had
,ent itself, and the bride and groom
I'd departed, taking all the romance
the world with them and leaving be-
nd a monotony without form and
I'D. All Of the guests felt Il, and al
ady the hustle Of departure was in
e air, But to the best man and the
aid Of honor ittwas CHASTITY, appall-
g fact that made them llnger on the
cps after the others had re-entered
Q house, staring blankly after the
rriage that had disappeared around
Q corner. Then the man remembered
here he was and pulled himself to.
ther with an effort.
SaemR rather like the end Of things.