The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1905-01-24
By KEITH GORDON


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, a thousand times
more irrevocably than death could have
done.
There was a stir about her like the
rush of the wind. For second she
was too lost in thought to understand;
then, as she dropped upon her knees
somewhat hurriedly, her bewildered
eyes caught those of the best man, cas-
ually at first and then with a quick,
startled recognition of something she
saw there He, too, had the air of
person suddenly awakened from
nightmare, momentarily uncertain of
the surroundings in which he found
himself
A moment later she had forgotten
his very existence.
Hes Etheps husband now-EthePs
husband" she said sternly to herself,
skillfully turning a dry sob into 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 man! 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, so you might as well cheer
upp'
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
spiration and challenge.
Isn't she sweetY 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 yet
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
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,
appearance of unconsciousness she tax
ed him with 1t.
"You are very rudew she said lightly,
but at his grave, sincere Believe me, l
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
slightly. Weddings get upon my
nerves." she explained, with a little
grimace, and before he could reply she
had turned away.
The shower of rice and old shoes had
tkcaIF ond kho hvfdn ond vronrn
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
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
lip between her teeth and darted a
quick, inquiring glance at him. That
was not precisely what she would have
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 snug corner of the deserted IL
brary. where the farewells of the de-
parting guests came to them but faint
ly, she next found herself, without be-
ing very clear as to how she came
there. The best man was sitting in
front of her holding one of her hands
in a protecting, big brotherly fashion,
while she vainly tried to keep back the
tears that seemed to be rising as quiet
ly and relentlessly as a flood. 1t was
no use. Higher and higher they came.
She winked hard and shut her teeth
firmly. Then she snatched her hand
away and covered her face.
my poor little girl" murmured the
best man softly.
Weddings are always sad, don't you
think y she gasped out, dabbing at her
eyes with her handk erchief and giving
little hysterical laugh. Still, / don't
usually behave like this. You see, when
your best friend marries-she-that is
everything is different and She gave
up trying to explain the situation in de-
spair and ended with an incoherent,
But it's all very ridiculous, and l don't
know why l should say all this to
you"
She was the picture of helpless, girl
ish misery, and the best mans heart
ached for her. Momentarily his sympa-
thy took the edge off his own loneli-
ness. He WINGED at the thought of her
having to suffer alone the maddening
sense of loss that tormented him.
Perhaps it's because misery loves
company" he said gently. Perhaps
you feel that this wedding hasn't beer
altogether like other weddings to me
either" he went on, with a matter OF
fact air, as IL it were the most natural
thing In the world that they should
be confding in each other.
She was watching him with a dawn
ing understanding in her eyes, and be
met her gaze with a whimsical smile
as if he were offering her the oper
book of his soul to read If she would.
do you mean that you, too
There. was no need to complete tbs