The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-11-23

a
made promise"
What was that:'
Il am going to be married next week,
and you know it was always a bargain
between us that you should support me
on that occasion"
Yes, / recollect Well let me offer
my hearty congratulations. Who is
the LADY,
The eldest daughter of Sir John
4 Graham and the dearest little girl in
| the world
/ That goes without saying" laughed
1 Charles Medcaff
| And her name is Enid continued
| Captain Lane without needing the in
terruption. I'VE have only known each
| other six months. / met her first at
| my godmother's. Lady Martyr, and 1
think we both fell in love with each
other at first sight. There you have the
whole story"
South Africa, where he had held a
lucrative appointment, being junior
partner in a large firm of engineers
Have you succumbed during your
travels to the fascination of some fair
one, or do you still hold the sex in alb
horrence?" asked the captain.
Scarcely that" replied Medcalf
flushing a dull red beneath his bronze
But 1 have never come across my
ideal except in picture
'Ah. 1 always said you were a ro-
mantle fellow. Notwithstanding your
know the story"
1T was three years ago. just before
/ went abroad, one Sunday afternoon
In Kensington gardens. l was with
Jack DunmOre-yOu remember him.
We had been sitting there some time
criticising the multitude when Jack
left me to speak to an acquaintance he
recognized in the distance.
Just then my eye was caught by
the face of a girl passing. 1t was my
Ideal-neither fair nor dark, but with
q happy combination of the two. 1t
was not that she was strictly beauti-
full, but she had fascination for me
that l could not resist, nor can /
describe 1t.
Presently 1 saw Jack returning. and
at the same moment the girl rose.
She was with two Others and as they
moved away something dropped out of
her lap. 1 FASTENED to pick it up. Her
back was turned, and by some hasty
impulse 1 slipped it in my pocket. My
treasure proved to be a treasure in
deed, for 1t was the photograph of my
darling. Yes, it had come to that!
think of her still as that, though I left
England next day and have been away
three years
Let me complete this tale" added
Captain Lane slyly. "Your task is now
to find the fair unknown and to lay
your heart and fortune at her feet.
Joking apart, old fellow, fear you
will have a difficulty in accomplishing
your object. But, talking about photo
graphs, let me show you Enids.''
Captain Lane detached locket
which dangled at the end of his watch
chain and, opening it, displayed the
miniature of his ladylove, which he
offered for his friends inspection.
1t was we'll that Gerald Lane had
not full view Of the others face just
at that moment, he having turned his
back half round in order to get a bet
ter light on the portrait, for as his eye
rested on it Medcalf started violently
and turned CHASTITY pale. 1t was the
pictured face of his ideal, the fellow to
which even now lay next to his heart. |
"She is lovely" he managed to STAN
mer as. with trembling hand, he re-
turned the locket. And then he had |
to listen patiently while the captain
descanted on the many virtues of the
original.
He declined, however. his urgently |
pressed invitation to join his party at |
the theater on the plea of feeling tired. |
and 1t was with relief that he found !
himself at last In his own room.
When. a week later. however, Cap |
tain Lane called on him to fulfill his |
promise on the wedding day the
Of seeing nay, more. of |
speaking to-the girl just once was too
much.
1t would be difficult to say which !
was the more nervous, the bridegroom
elect or his best man, as they waited
IN the church for the arrival of the
bridal party. Not once during the
that followed did Medcalf
glance at the bride, though his pulses
were thrilling at the sound Of the
sweet, clear voice that made the re-
,ponses which bound her to Captain
Lane
1t was in the vestry after the sig
natures had been duly entered in the
'egister that some one whispered in
lis ear:
Come, old fellow, don't You know
-our duty? Kiss the bride"
Then he raised his eyes, which rested
or one brief moment on his ideal.
The next moment he had gravely bent
nd pressed his lips on the cheek Of
he dainty vision beside him.
There was a general litter as the
'iri gave vent to little exclamation
+ dismayed surprise.
THE bride, man! That's not the
ride,'
Then for the first time Medcalf look
d about, and his wandering gaze fell
n the apparition Of the bride.
In puzzled wonderment he turned
nee more to hts neighbor. She and