The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-12-17

Il am going to be married next week,
end you know il was always bargain
tetween us that you should support me
on that occasion
Yes. I recoilect. Well, let me offer
my hearty congratulations Who is
the lady?'
The eldest daughter of Sir John
Graham and the dearest little girl in
the world"
THAT goes without saying laughed
Charles Medcalf
AND her name IS Enid" continued
Captain Lane without needing the in
corruption. I'VE have only known each
other six months. / met her first at
my godmother's. Lady Martyr, and
think we both fell in love with each
other at first sight. There you have the
whole story"
NedcaIf had just returned from
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 abb
horrence?" asked the captain.
Scarcely that" replied Medcalf,
flushing a dull red beneath his bronze.
But I have never come across my
ideal except in a picture"
"Ah, I always said you were a ro-
mantle fellow, Notwithstanding your
Iuro f.1 ~<~ tnfm VII In,
know the story"
ut was three years ago, just before
tx went abroad, one Sunday afternoon
In KensinBfen gardens. I was with
Jack Dunmore-yeu remember him.
We had been sitting there some time
criticising the multitude when Jack
left me to speak to an acquaintance he
recognised in the distance.
Just then my eye was caught by
the face Of girl passing. 1t was my
|ideaL-nsither fair nor dark. but with
Ia happy combination Of the two. It
was not that she was strictly beauti-
full, but she had fascination for mo
that could not resist, nor can I
describe it,
"Presently 4 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. i fastened to pick IL up. Her
back was turned, and by some hasty
impulse I slipped it ia my pocket My
treasure proved TO be treasure in
deed, for IL was the photograph of my
darling. Yes. 1t 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 slyiy. "Your task lis 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 Enid's."
Captain Lane detached a 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 well that Gerald Lane had
not full view of the others face just
MT that moment. he having turned his
back half round in order to get a bet
ter light on the portrait. for rs his eye
rested on 1t 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 a 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 II was with relief that he found |
himself at last in his own room.
When. 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.
It 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
ceremony that followed did Medcalf
glance at the bride. though his pulses
were thrilling ct the sound of the
sweet, clear voice that made the re
sponses which bound her to Captain
Lane
It was In the vestry after the sig
had been duly entered in the
register that some one whispered In
his ear:
''Come. old fellow. don't you know
four duty? Kiss the bride"
Then he raised his eyes. which rested
FOR one brief moment on his ideal
The next moment he had gravely bent
md pressed his lips on the cheek OF
he dainty vision beside him.
There was Il general litter as the
-irl gave vent TO little exclamation
of disrnayed surprise.
THE bride. man! That's not the
orider
Then for the first time Medcalf look
"a about and his wandering gaze fell
,n the apparition of the bride
In puzzled wonderment he turned
pnce more to his neighbor She and
he bride were alike az two peas.