Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-09


table interference MeddiIng with the
conscience OF another person is n delicate
and difficult affair, and Ruth had already
warned Ethel OF It's certain futility. But
the days were rapidly wearing away TO the
great day, for which so many other days
had been wasted in fstiguins worry, and
Incredible extravaganza of health and tenn
per ana money-and after it2 There would
certainly be break In associations.
Temptation would be removed and Basil
Stanhope. relieved for a time from all the
duties OF his Office, would have continual
opportunities for making eternally secure
the affection of the woman he had chosen
II was to be a white wedding. and for
twenty hours previous to It's celebration 10
seemed as II all the florists IN New York
were at work in the Denning house and IN
St Judes Church. The sacred place was
radiant with white lilies. White lilies ev-
erywhere; and the perfume would have
been overpowering had not the weather
been so exquisite that open windows were
possible and even pleasant To the softess
strains of music Dora entered leaning on
her fathers arm, and her beauty and splen-
dor evoked from the crowd present an In
voluntary, simultaneous stir Of wonder and
delight She had hesitated many days
between the simplicity Of white
chiffon and lilies of the valley and the
magnihchence OF brocaded satin In which
a gitteTing thread Of silver was inter-
woven. The satin had won the day. and
the sunshine fell upon its beauty. as she
kneit at the altar. Ike sunshine falling
gfistened as If IL were an angels robe;
and this scintillating effect was much In
creased by the sparkling OF the diamonds
in her hair. and at her throat and waist
and hands and feet. Nor was her b-l-
liant youth affected by the oVershadow-
ing tulle usually so Unbecoming lt Vciled
her from head to foot, and was held IN
place by a diamond cOrOnal All her eight
maids, though lovely girls, looked wan
and of the earth beside her For her
sake they had been content with the Sim
fRrf raF oh a
she stood among them lustrous as some
angelic being. Stanhope was entranced
by her beauty. and no one on this day
wondered at his infatuation or thought
remarkable the ecstacy Of revcrcnt r5p-
ture with which he received the hani OF
his bride. His sense of the gilt was
ravishing. She was now his love. his
wife forever, and when Ethel slipped for
ward to part and throw backward the
concealfng veil, he very gently restrained
her, and with his own hands uncovered
the blushing beauty, and Kissed her the'o
at the altar Then amid DtsrTnur and
stir OF delighted sympathy he took his
wife upon his arm, and turned Win her
TO the life they were to face together.
Two hours later all was a past dream.
Bride and bridegroom had slipped quietly
away, and the wedding guests had az
rived at that rather noisy indifference
which pTesages the end of an entertain
ment. Then flushed and tired with hu. ny
ing congratulations and good wishes that
stumbled over each other, carriage after
carriage departed. and L-ne and her
companions went TO Dora's parlor 10 rest
awhile and discuss the event OF the day.
But Dora's parlJr was in a state of con-
fusion. II had, too, an air OF loss, and
felt like a gi!ded cage from which tie
bird had flown. They looked dismaliy at
its discomfort ard went downstairs. Men
were removing the faded flowers or sit
ting at the abandoned table eating and
drinking. Everywhere there was disorder
ana waste. and from the servants quar-
ter came noisy sense of riotoUs feast
ing.
Where is Mrs Denning?" Ethel asked
a footman who was gathering together
the silver with the easy concern of man
whose ideas were rosy with champagne.
he looked up with a provoking familiarity
at the question. and sputtered out, She's
lying down crying and making fuss. Miss
Day is with ner, soothing Of her"
Let US go home said Ethel.
And so, weary with pleasure. and heart
heavy with feelings that had no longer any
reason to exist. pale with fatigue. untidy
with crush, their pretty white gowns sullied
and passe, each went her way; In every
heart a wonder whether the few hilarious
hours of strange emotions were worth all
they claimed as their right and due.
Ruth had gone home earlier, and Ethel
found her resting In her room. Il am worn
out. Ruth" was her first remark. Il am
going to bed for three or four days. II was
a dreadful ordeal
"One to which you may have 70 submit"
Certainly not. My marriage viii be
religious ceremony, with a half dozen OF my
nearest relatives as Witnesses"
Il noticed Fred slip away before Dora
went He looked m
II dare say he is ill-and no wonder.
Good night, Ruth. l am going to sleep.
Tell father all about the wedding. ] don't
want to hear it named again-not as long
as l live"
CTo be continued tomorrow.