Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1905-11-10
CHAPTER XXI.

The eighteenth or september was a
damp, comfortless morning, and Mailing
ford Park looked particularly desolate.
The sky was of a dull gray, and the rain
drizzled steadily all the day through
Babette was busy in Miss Malling's
dressing room. 1t was half past nine
o'clock, and she had just returned from
seeing her mistress off by train. None
Of the guests were astir yet, and the
house was unusually silent, as it was
likely to be for some hors. The ball of
the previous night had been exceedingly
spirited, and was not concluded until
nearly o'clock, so that the visitors
would not be likely to be astir very
early.
Babette was to join her mistress at
Charing Cross station with the luggage
at half past 2, and, though her mind
was full of tormenting doubts as to the
days events, she went about her business
as methodically as though nothing I'M
usual had happened. Tenderly and care
fully she folded up the elaborate gown
of cream-colored satin, with its draperies
OF thick costly lace, and its superb bou-
quets of deep crimson blossoms, in which
Miss Mailing delighted the eyes of her
admirers at the ball. Very circumspect-
ly she placed the magnificent diamonds
and rubies, with which her mistress had
adorned her shapely throat and arms, in
their cases, and then packed them in a
small oaken box with steel clamps. Then
she went round the room with her keys
and locked and strapped the travelling
trunks one after another. That done,
she sat down to wait, she knew not for
what.
Captain Polling received a telegram at
quarter to II that morning which
filed him with surprise and curiosity.
1t ran:
AT all risks get to Bishopsgate
church in time to see a wedding fixed
for this morning, and obtain a good view
of the brides face"
The telegram had been dispatched
from Bassllia, and he remembered the
name as that of the nearest railway sta
ton TO the convent where he had found
his wife's grave. Without knowing why,
he felt that he must obey the telegram.
and he was just in time to catch the II
o'clock express for Waterloo. On arriv-
ing at his destination, Captain Polling
ran his eyes rapidly down the cab rank
within the station, picked out the smart
est looking horse, sprang into the cab,
and called through the trap to the driver:
"A sovereign if you reach Bishopsgate
church by twenty minutes to TYP
The horse justified his good opinion,
| and the drive was accomplished In good
| time. The church doors We're open, and
a four wheeled cab was waiting outside
He crept in very quietly. and walked up
| the aisle, not wishing to disturb the ser
vice, for he did not know what he was
there for save to see the brides face. He
judged rightly that his future conduct
was to be guided by that inspection.
| The church was cold and gloomy this
miserable morning. and a few persons
were scattered here and there among the
seats. attracted possibly more by Curl
| osity than interest
AS Polling advanced. he was struck
| by the subdued richness of the brides
costume. and he was not a little surpris-
| ed at the absence of the usual attend
ants-for the old lady standing behind
the bride evidently filled the Office of
| pew opener. The bride and bridegroom
were a fine couple, the man being quite
six feet high, while the lady was also
well proportional
Polling went quietly along the chancel